For the automatic transfer of curd bundles, reducing operators’ workload and speeding up transfers in the production of Parmesan cheese. Express, a motor-driven hoist, ensures the compliance with Law 626.
Progema Engineering has long years of experience in the milk and dairy sector derived from numerous installations. The company specialises in the construction of systems for the transport of liquid products to the thermal processing units (pasteuriser for milk or syrups; food cooling and temperature control); from brine processing and recycling plants to complete salting plants; from process automation to supervisory control; from units for the mixing of CIP solutions to their automation. This wide range comprises also motor-driven hoists for the transfer of curd, already running at the facilities of leading dairy companies. Express hoists are designed to reduce the physical effort of the involved staff, as required by the Law 626/94.
Reduction of efforts and automation
Express is the new motor-driven hoist used for carrying curd bundles from the thermal treatment vat to the dripping table, in the production of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano. While reducing considerably operators’ efforts, this hoist provides for a faster transfer phase. One operator, in fact, can lift only two bundles of curd and carry them to the next processing phase (tables, moulds, trays or washing station). Among the variety of advantages, there are improved performance and simpler handling, next to the already mentioned reduction of physical effort. According to Art. 48 of the Law 626/94, each operator should not lift more than 30 kg to prevent the risk of back injuries. The employer’s obligation – to implement adequate measures and systems that reduce this risk – is perfectly fulfilled by Express. One operator can lift and hook in both curd bundles produced in the vat and send them to the unloading station with the push of a button. This contributes to improve the performance of a dairy factory, because the same operator can be assigned to the cleaning of the double bottoms. In many cases, the access to the vats with the dripping trays is difficult, due to the limited space available or flexible pipes on the floor. Overhead transportation guaranteed by Express solves these problems and makes the handling simpler by creating complex guideways in presence of critical paths.
Limited space or critical path
Express can carry two or four bundles of curd at the same time. The monorail system is H-shaped, and is entirely made of high thickness Aisi 304 stainless steel. The hoist can be installed on existing structures or suitably prepared structures, and makes it possible to program and optimise any type of path. The electric line with wiping contact system is lodged in a plastic box. The motor-driven buggy is made in stainless steel Aisi 304, and the certified lifting belt is made in Nylon. The lift motor is provided with an electromechanical brake, like the transfer motor, complete with inverter for soft and silent starts and stops in order to avoid dangerous vibrations and shocks to the curds.
by Giovanni Ferri