Manrider systems – ergonomic and efficient people-mover conveyors in production
Manriders provide ideal ergonomic conditions for all assembly and inspection tasks in the automotive industry. Since there is no need for exhausting walking, employees can completely concentrate on their actual tasks – fatigue is reduced, precision and efficiency are increased.
MINDA manriders offer decisive advantages: with a minimum installation height of only 120 mm, the system components can be installed directly on the factory floor. There is no need for expensive foundation work for pits, which simplifies installation and increases flexibility in the production environment.
Sustainable. Innovative. MINDA goes green
Manriders made from renewable raw material
With the development of wooden manriders, we are setting a clear example for sustainability in conveyor technology. As a renewable raw material, wood is not only impressive due to its ecological balance, but also due to its stability and durability – properties that meet the highest requirements in automotive production. This version shows how resource-saving approaches and modern conveyor technology can be efficiently combined.
Lightweight and compatible – the new chassis concept from MINDA
The base frame of this innovative conveyor consists of around 60 percent Finnish birch plywood. It incorporates MINDA's many years of experience in various industries, such as the solid wood and corrugated cardboard industries. We are also exploring new ground with the sliding pads on the conveyor chain: instead of conventional plastic elements, we use wooden plates. In doing so, we consistently pursue the idea of sustainability and significantly reduce the release of microplastics through abrasion and wear.
Another advantage is the significant weight reduction, leading to considerably easier handling of the conveyors. Despite the change in material, wooden manriders remain fully compatible with existing steel systems. The external dimensions and connections are identical, so replacement is easy – it is even possible to operate both versions in parallel within one production line.
The wooden design also impresses in terms of safety: thanks to its flame-retardant properties and ESD suitability, it meets all requirements of the automotive industry.
The manriders are available in widths from 650 mm to 1,600 mm and with a height starting from 120 mm. They enable conveyor speeds of up to 18 m/min, offering a wide range of applications.
For our customers, this means more efficient production processes, less rework, shorter lead times, and a noticeable optimization of workflows. Thanks to fast amortization and a consistently modular design, our partners obtain a solution that is optimally adapted to their individual production conditions.
Conclusion
Manriders with wooden chassis meet all technical requirements for the safe transfer of people in production lines and provide significant added value: sustainability, lower weight, high compatibility, easy assembly and replaceability as well as flame resistance.
With this new development, MINDA strengthens its commitment to consistently combining ecological responsibility and technological innovation. The use of wood as a renewable raw material reduces the carbon footprint, enables recycling, and thus supports a resource-saving, future-oriented production environment.
In addition, MINDA is actively promoting other sustainable projects. Since 2015, the company has been a core partner of the international expert network PalmwoodNet, which is committed to the sustainable use of oil palm wood, taking into account technical, economic, ecological, and social aspects. This commitment is complemented by initiatives such as energy recovery in various applications and the reuse of old components.
These measures show that sustainability is not just a buzzword at MINDA, but a comprehensive approach which is integrated step by step into conveyor technology solutions.
