Column lifter with grid shaft

Our customer, a renowned chocolate factory, has reached the limits of its storage capacity due to constant growth. The upper area of the warehouse was therefore to be converted into additional storage space in order to meet the increased requirements. This opened up new possibilities, but also new challenges, particularly with regard to the flow of goods between the storage areas.

So that employees do not have to constantly transport large and heavy goods manually up the stairs, it quickly became clear that a technical solution was needed to bridge the height difference. The size and weight of the chocolate products to be stored required the use of a powerful column lift with a grid shaft. However, the conditions of the existing hall brought with it a key challenge: a pit for a scissor lift table could not be created due to the structural conditions.

With our knowledge and experience in the development and adaptation of lifting systems, we presented the customer with a solution that is perfectly tailored to the conditions and requirements - a hydraulic column lift. The column lift not only offers a space-saving and robust solution, but is also flexible enough to fit into the existing hall without the need for additional structural measures.

Solution and technical details:

After intensive joint planning and close coordination with our customer, we developed a tailor-made solution: a hydraulic column lifter with an impressive load capacity of 500 kg. This column lifter has a platform of 1400 x 1000 mm, which offers sufficient space for transporting goods, and can overcome height differences of up to 3000 mm. To meet the safety requirements of the chocolate factory, the entire height of the column lifter was equipped with a metal shaft made of grid material, which ensures safe operation at all times while providing stable protection against possible accidents.

Benefits for the customer:

The investment in the hydraulic column lift was a win on several levels. Firstly, the workload of employees is drastically reduced, as heavy loads can be transported safely and efficiently between the storage levels. Secondly, efficiency in warehousing is increased, as access to the goods is significantly accelerated by the column lift. The long-term flexibility for further growth of the warehouse is also maintained, as the load lifter is perfectly integrated into the existing hall.

Details of the column lifter with housing

Lower stop of the column lift with open gates

As you can clearly see from the picture, it was not possible to create a pit/depression in the ground at the lower stop because the hall had already been there for a long time.

We therefore set up our column lifter directly on the existing concrete hall floor and screwed it into place. Unfortunately, this setup creates a 100mm high step from the floor level up to the platform level. We have remedied this with the access ramp provided.

Loading and unloading takes place via the ramp when the gates are open. The column lift can only be sent up when both gates are properly closed. This is ensured by the built-in forced contacts and monitored by our control system.

Upper stop of the column lift with open gates

As with the lower stop, a monitored gate had to be installed at the upper stop. This gate can only be opened when the platform is in the corresponding position.

The goods lift arrives at the upper stop. First you open the outer gate, which is permanently installed on the upper floor, then you open the railing door on the platform. As soon as the goods are neatly placed on the platform, you can close the gates and send the lift down.

The gates on the platform are necessary to prevent the goods from slipping and possibly becoming wedged in the shaft.

Grating shaft or enclosure over the entire lifting range

There are also lifting systems without enclosures, but we always recommend installing protection over the entire lifting height. This has the advantage that the goods and the employees are completely protected.
There is also the advantage that the lift can be operated from both stops. Without an enclosure, it would only be possible to operate it in dead man mode within sight of the system at the lower stop.

With an enclosure, you can install a call-send control. This means that you press the button and the system automatically raises or lowers to the other floor.

We have completely covered one side of the lattice shaft with sheet metal. On the one hand, so that the technology is better hidden and protected, and on the other hand, because the stairs are located here and no one would think of putting anything in the lifting area.

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