TITLE: DESIGN OF A STAIR CLIMBING TROLLEY FOR EFFICIENT MATERIAL HANDLING
AREA OF STUDY:PEPSI COMPANY MWANZA PLANT
Background information
In many industries, materials need to be transported up and down stairs as part of the
manufacturing or production process. However, this can be a difficult and time-consuming task,
especially when the materials are heavy or bulky. Manual labor can be inefficient and also pose
safety risks for workers. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and safe solution for
transporting materials up and down stairs.
Problem statement:
Most hand trolleys are designed to transfer products on a flat surface or at ground level. When it
comes to moving products beyond ground level, however, there are restrictions where a hand trolley
cannot be used, such as uneven terrain or any level above ground is not a simple job, especially if
there are no lifting facilities (elevator, conveyer, etc). As a result, transit from lower ground to higher
elevations or vice versa is limited. The hand trolley might be attempted to navigate the stairs, but there
is a larger risk of failure during the lifting process, such as the hand trolley tumbling out of control
and causing accidents and injuries. Smaller and round objects, on the other hand, have the largest risk
of falling since they do not fit in the trolley area. Human effort is regarded the lone answer for
transferring and carrying huge loads above ground.At Pepsi Company's Mwanza plant, materials are
often transported between floors using manual labor, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety
concerns. Therefore, the aim of this project is to design a stair-climbing trolley that can safely and
efficiently transport materials up and down stairs
Main objective:
The main objective of this project is to design a stair-climbing trolley that can improve material
handling efficiency at the Mwanza plant of Pepsi Company.
Specific objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To analyze the requirements and constraints for a stair-climbing trolley at the Mwanza plant
To design a prototype of a stair-climbing trolley that meets the requirements and constraints
To evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the prototype trolley
To develop a mechanism for easy transportation of heavy load over stairs
Research questions:
1. What are the requirements and constraints for a stair-climbing trolley at the Mwanza plant
of Pepsi Company?
2. How can a stair-climbing trolley be designed to meet these requirements and constraints?
3. What is the performance and effectiveness of the prototype stair-climbing trolley in
transporting materials up and down stairs?
4. To push or to pull? and which is easier push or pull?
Significance of the project study:
The successful design of a stair-climbing trolley at the Mwanza plant of Pepsi Company could lead to
significant improvements in material handling efficiency and safety. It could also serve as a model for
other industries facing similar challenges.