In assembly and production environments, tools, loads, and operating equipment must be safely guided, moved, and held in defined positions. This applies both to manual workstations and to semi- and fully automated production areas, where tool, cable, or hose management systems play a central role in ensuring process stability and operational safety. These repetitive handling tasks have a direct impact on ergonomics, workplace safety, as well as the reproducibility and stability of production processes.
KROMER’s solutions are designed specifically to meet these industrial requirements. Spring Balancers, Retractors, and Positioners support controlled, ergonomic, and process-reliable handling of tools and loads. They help structure workstations and enable stable, repeatable workflows under defined operating conditions.
Depending on the task and working method, different functional requirements must be met. To optimally address these demands, we offer three distinct solutions:
Balancers are used to compensate the weight of tools or loads, enabling nearly weightless and highly precise movement within the working area. Attached tools can be guided in a controlled manner and held securely in any defined position.
They are particularly suitable for applications with actively guided tools where ergonomic working conditions and fatigue-free operation are key priorities.
/ Applications can be moved almost weightlessly
/ Light and precise handling of tools and loads
/ Load capacity: 0–300 kg
Retractors are designed for the automatic return of tools and equipment to their initial position after use. This ensures organized workstations, with tools safely positioned and readily available at all times. They significantly contribute to workplace safety, order, and structure, while reducing risks such as loose or unattended tools.
/ Applications are automatically returned to the initial position after use
/ Safe and ergonomic organization of tools at the workstation
/ Load capacity: 0–14 kg
Positioners are used for the safe and reproducible positioning of tools or equipment at a defined working height. The position can be adjusted continuously and ensures a constant, stable height hold even under varying loads. They are used wherever applications require flexible vertical adjustment directly at the workstation.
/ Reliable positioning of tools and equipment directly at the workstation
/ Simple and fast height adjustment of the application
/ Load capacity: 0.5–7 kg
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Regardless of the chosen functional principle, all KROMER solutions pursue the same core objectives:
✔Workplace safety through controlled guidance of tools and loads
✔ Ergonomic relief by reducing holding forces and enabling natural movement patterns
✔ Productivity and process stability through structured workstations and consistent workflows
Selecting the appropriate product solution is based on clearly defined technical criteria and the specific task at the workstation.
What task needs to be solved?
/ Balancers for weight-balanced, precise, and ergonomic handling of tools and applications
/ Retractors for automatic return of tools and structured workstation organization
/ Positioners for reliable and flexible positioning of tools and applications
How heavy is my application?
What is the actual weight of the tool or load that needs to be supported or guided? The appropriate load capacity range is crucial for safety, performance, and durability. The weight of the application must always fall within the specified load range of the Balancer, Retractor, or Positioner.
What working stroke is requiered?
What cable extension is needed to ensure that the application safely reaches the entire working area? Both the upper suspension point and the required working stroke must be taken into account to provide the operator with sufficient freedom of movement for ergonomic working conditions.
Are there any special environmental requirements?
Environmental conditions such as ESD protection requirements, exposure to moisture, or hygienically sensitive application areas are key factors when selecting the appropriate design. They ensure long-term system performance and maximum operational safety over the entire service life.
When standard solutions are not sufficient, KROMER develops tailor-made concepts for tool and load handling. Based on many years of experience with spring balancers, balancers, and positioners, we create individual solutions for highly specific requirements. Typical application areas include highly specialized environments such as cleanrooms, sensitive production zones, hygienic-critical processes, or workstations with limited installation space. Integration into existing workstations, fixtures, or production systems is also a key aspect of such projects.
The focus is always on the function at the workstation – with the objective of ensuring ergonomics, safety, and process stability reliably, even under exceptional operating conditions.
