Customized lifting and tilting device eliminates weakness in production

(Photo: Höcker Group)

(Photo: Höcker Group)

Often, improvement potentials in the meat and food industry are long known; it only takes a trigger to address the efficiency increase of production. Just like with a Höcker customer from the baking industry, when looking at 300 kilograms of dough that were spread on the floor after an avoidable incident. An individual solution was needed, which was found in close collaboration with the Höcker Group and the experience of plant manager Jens Burlage, with a custom-made lifting and tipping device.

"After conducting online research, the company approached us with the question of whether we could manufacture the Höcker lifting and tipping device (HKV) L25 suitable for all container sizes and shapes," reports Burlage. After intensive discussions about the requirements, including all measurements such as tipping height and container size, as well as providing a container with a base pallet, as used in the production process, the development of the lifting and tipping device began. The goal: to dispense with forklifts or lifting equipment as much as possible when lifting and setting down the transport containers. Large quantities of raw masses and cereals are transported in nearly one-meter-wide plastic boxes into a mixing device and then protein bars are conveyed onto a conveyor belt. "The approach of the container with a lifting device was problematic because, in the past, it had slipped off the fork or tipped over during more than one incident," explains Höcker Managing Director Benjamin Höcker. "In the future, both parts, the container and the base pallet, should be able to be tilted together."

The further project process proceeds routinely: After presenting the Höcker solution and discussing with the customer, the necessary parts for assembling the custom-made lifting and tipping device were ordered. Once all parts arrived at the plant, assembly began, followed by the final setup of the system, including complete functional testing.

With the Höcker solution, a major weakness in the production process was eliminated. The customer has not only increased safety for its employees but can also minimize production interruptions caused by material and ingredient losses.