Materials Handling Technology
The GEA range of post hoists offers a versatile lifting and handling solution, combining robust, GMP construction with a clean and modular design.
Safety is a critical aspect of any lifting equipment; the GEA Post Hoist has been designed with absolute operator safety in mind. The hoists use a robust rack and pinion lifting mechanism rated at four times the working load of the hoist, thus eliminating the risk associated with chain breakages.
The lifting drive is an electric ‘braked’ motor. Should utilities be lost, the load will remain in the same position; any risk of carriage slipping is prevented. The operator interface panel is mounted on the rear of the column and operates on a ‘hold-to-run' principle, ensuring operator safety.
The electric motor lift drive removes the need for hydraulic lifts (and the non-GMP issues associated with hydraulic devices). The lift motor is mounted on the carriage, not at the top of the column, making routine maintenance much easier.
The control system is simple and user friendly. Simple push buttons control the raising and lowering operations and, for more sophisticated requirements, a Siemens or Allen Bradley PLC/HMI control system is available. For high lift or slow speed docking operations, an inverter can be added to provide a variable speed drive. This allows for fast lifting operations and allows the carriage to stop at controlled speeds.
A ranges of Lifting Carriages is available for the GEA's Post Hoist. For IBC lifting operations, standard Forks allow the IBC to be securely lifted and accurately aligned.
If the IBC needs to be inverted to be filled through its outlet valve, the IBC Inverting Carriage can be fitted.
And, by fitting the IBC Blending Carriage, the Post Hoist can be used as a blender, offering the same blending efficiency as the Pedestal range of blenders.
Further, the IBC Weighing Carriage allows the IBC to be lifted to a filling point and aligned with a BUCK® Valve to facilitate dynamic weighing of the IBC as it is filled. The column can either be static mounted or positioned on a slewing base to allow the carriage to be swiveled over the inlet of a downstream process container. Slewing can be either manual or electrically driven.
For filling applications - from a dispensary or granulation equipment on the floor above, the Post Hoist is used to lift the receiving IBC up to dock with the Buck® Valve. Where different heights of IBCs need to be handled, the Post Hoist is ideal for lifting the smaller IBCs to dock with the Buck® Valve. The IBC Weighing Carriage allows the weight of the IBC to be measured as it is filled. Controls and interlocks for the Buck® Valve are managed through the Post Hoist control system.
If carrying out blending functions on the Post Hoist, the blender has the versatility to carry out discharge operations directly after blending. A common application is to allow blended material to be discharged through a mill or sieve into a receiving IBC. The IBC is aligned and clamped on the IBC Blending Carriage, before being docked with the Buck® Valve on the inlet of the Mill. Controls and interlocks for the Buck® Valve are managed through the Post Hoist control system.
PL400 | PL900 | PM1600 | |
Electrial Power | 220-240V 3 Ph 60 Hz or 380-415V 3 Ph 50 Hz | ||
Lift Motor | 1.5 kW | 2.2 kW | 3.0 kW |
Slew Motor | 0.12 kW | 0.12 kW | 0.12 kW |
Pneumatics | 6 Barg supply pressure | ||
Pneumatics for slewing position lock | 3 L/sec | 3 L/sec | 3 L/sec |
Pneumatics for vibration | 10 L/sec | 10 L/sec | 10 L/sec |
Pneumatics for butterfly valve actuation | 3 L/sec | 3 L/sec | 3 L/sec |
PL400 | PL900 | PL1600 | |
Power Lift | ● | ● | ● |
IBC Size | Size 2/3/4 | Size 4 | Size 4/5 |
Safe Working Load | 400 kg | 900 kg | 1600 kg |
Lift Speed | 4 m/min for last lifting/lowering
1 m/min for controlled docking | ||
Standard Column Height | 3.8 m | ||
Fixing | floor | floor | floor & ceiling |
Reach | 1450 mm from the centre of column to the centre of the IBC | ||
Cable Connection Point | top of column | ||
Control System | column mounted controls with push buttons and pilot lamps |
PL400 | PL900 | PL1600 | |
Manual Slew 300° slew angle with pneumatic slew lock | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Powered Slew 300° slew angle with position sensors | ○ | ○ | ○ |
IBC Outlet Valve (Butterfly Valve) Actuator | ○ | ○ | ○ |
IBC External Vibrator with housing pocket on forks | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Vibroflow™ Motor | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Additional Height (up to 6 m) | ○1 | ○1 | ○1 |
Non-standard Pick-up Forks | ○ | ○ | ○ |
1 complete with ceiling fixing
● standard ○ optional -- not available
Container blending has long been established as the most efficient method of blending granules and powders in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process.
IBC Systems are widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing as storage, transport and, with the increasing use of in-container applications, blending vessels.
BUCK® valves were the first commercially available split valves on the market. Used for the contained transfer of active powders from one vessel to another in pharmaceutical production, BUCK® technology is the result of thousands of successful applications worldwide and more than 15 years of experience.
A disposable high containment Interface for the safe & dust-free transfer of solid dosage material to fully protect your operator, your product and the environment.