Equipois Inc. Defy Gravity.

ROI 366% in payback of .27 years

Equipois zeroG Solution: zeroG is a proven solution for drilling that eliminates the weight of the tool, while still allowing use of the tool with complete range of motion. Customer Benefits (ROI) Verified injury data from this application, zeroG® 100% eliminated Improved employee morale

Common Problem with Drilling in Aerospace Manufacturing:

• Low repetition, but very awkward reach needed with heavy tool
• Three different Quackenbush in-line drills used with different size bits (quick change req'd.)

Aircraft OEM Customer Specific Problem:

• Manufacturing location for aircraft
• Area considered is flap hinge on tail section

Aircraft OEM Solution:

• Ring gimbal with removable inner race. Inner race stays with each tool
• Special quick release outer ring allows for quick tool change

zeroG Fixture Drilling Case Study and Specifications

ROI 259% in payback of .43 years

Equipois zeroG Solution: zeroG is a proven solution for sanding that eliminates the weight of the tool, while still allowing use of the tool with complete range of motion. Customer Benefits (ROI) Reduced injury rate Increase in productivity

Common Problem with Sanding in Aerospace Manufacturing:

Sanding is a standard process for aircraft painting and refurbishment. Typically, handheld palm sanders are used to allow navigation of tight spaces, but this process poses numerous risk factors: the large surface areas involved, the need to sand overhead, awkward arm positions, the long duration of the activity, and tool vibration. The result is high injury rates and reduced productivity.

Aircraft OEM Customer Specific Problem:

A major U.S. Airline has a large dedicated team that performs sanding in their aircraft refurbishment facilities. Traditionally, this area has been one of the most labor- intensive operations and an area with major production bottlenecks.

Aircraft OEM Solution:

zeroG® was installed to improve throughput while allowing the full range of movement needed to perform the task to the customer's stringent quality standards. zeroG® reduced the total hours required to sand
an aircraft by over 50%.

Download Complete zeroG Overhead Sanding Case Study and Specifications

ROI 423% in payback of 4 months

Equipois zeroG Solution: zeroG is a proven solution for riveting that eliminates the weight of the tool, while still allowing use of the tool with complete range of motion. Customer Benefits (ROI) Injury avoidance Reduced downtime due to exhaustion Improved quality due to more precision in guidance of the tool

Common Problem with Riveting in Aerospace Manufacturing:

Heavy compression riveting tools is a typical requirement of most aerospace manufacturing. Many riveting tools are used overhead or in awkward postures that place stress on the user and compromise precision.

Aircraft OEM Customer Specific Problem:

Significant injury problems were associated with the use of 28lb Rivet Gun used overhead and held at shoulder level for applying rivet to fuselage. The work area included long sections of the fuselage and elevated areas, which placed stress on the user and also compromised precision.

Aircraft OEM Solution:

zeroG systems with gimbals and 2-axis mounts created a slide rail system

Download Full Riveting Case Study and Specifications

ROI Payback of 393% in 3 months

Customer Benefits (ROI) zeroG reduced the injury rate to zero Increased productivity Improved quality Reduction in absenteesim and increase in employee satisfaction Reduces tool repair costs

Download Overhead Fastening Case Study and Specifications

ROI 244% in payback of 4.9 months

Customer Benefits (ROI) Injury Costs. Primary benefits include the reduction of operator fatigue and strain injuries. Direct and indirect medical costs can easily exceed US$40,000 for a single typical shoulder injury. Productivity. The reduction in exertion from eliminating the weight of the tool provides much more than an ergonomic benefit. Many users report labor reductions of up to 50% through the use of zeroG®. Increase in quality through greater precision Employee satisfaction Reduction of tool damage

Download Case Study Component Fastening with Right Angle and Pistol Grip Tools

Customer Industry/Description of Problem Grinding and polishing of 34 lb. customer part Most challenging operation outsourced due severity of ergonomic problems Known Data Regarding the Application Multiple propellers held up to grinder/polisher - part to tool Freedom of motion is critical given that a good polish is more 'art than science'

Solutions Considered

• Various solutions considered to try to 'hold' the part.
• Final solution incorporated specialized gimbal to hold multiple configs.

Reasons for Final Solution Selection

• Gave the operator the same freedom of motion as manual operation

Customer Benefits (ROI)

• Verified injury data from this application, zeroG® will 100% eliminate
• Improved employee morale

zeroG® at work for Mercury Marine

Torque Tool Example

Customer Industry/Description of Problem Heavy equipment manufacturer Mounting "stirrup" bracket underneath transmission with 4 4" long bolts Known Data Regarding the Application 26 pound Uryu inline pulse tool in vertical orientation Solutions Considered Single link arm with static link due to limited vertical travel required Ring gimbal with special mounting brackets to grab the tool Reasons for Final Solution Selection Cost, static location and limited tool range of motion requirement Customer Benefits (ROI) Injury risk avoidance

583% ROI payback of 2 months

Bradken Kilburn, Western Australia: The Bradken foundry in Kilburn, Western Australia had 14 injuries attributed to grinding over a 24 month period, four of which resulted in employees being placed on restricted duties. zeroG® reduced injury rates to zero. zeroG® reduced the total hours required for grinding related tasks by over 60%. Trip hazards were also reduced by running power leads through the zeroG® structure. Absenteeism in the grinding area was immediately reduced by nearly 50% due to improvement of worker safety and morale

Download Complete zeroG Component Grinding Case Study and Specifications

50% reduction in labor hours required to complete each grinding operation

Customer Industry/Description of Problem Significant injury and throughput problems in surface preparation prior to painting Task Overhead grinding on bottom and horizontal surfaces of barge Work done from a man-lift to reach surfaces

zeroG® Solution

• Complete zeroG system mounted to man-lift basket with adjustable positioning system
• Robust design for tough outdoor environment - plasma welding slag in vicinity

Customer Benefits (ROI)

• Significant (+50%) improvement in number of hours required to complete each operation
• Elimination of shoulder injuries (rough cost $80k per incident)