Handling Tools for the Food Industry

Increased productivity through modern handling technology in compliance

with the ISO 14644 standard series

In the food industry, precise, fast, and safe workflows are crucial. Health and hygiene regulations must also be observed. Bags, cans, barrels, cartons, and even sensitive loads such as loose food or glass jars—the variety of materials, packaging, and products that must be handled in production and processing

is vast and diverse. This places high demands on the machines and

technologies used in workplace optimization.

Symbolic Image: There are strict norms in the food industry, which must be complied with. Photo: Evgeni Tcherkasski by Unsplash

In our blog post, we take a look at the handling solutions lifting crane (wall-mounted jib crane) with pneumatic balancer and a mobile lifting technology

with dumping function, and explain how they can be used in the food industry.

Food handling: Requirements for handling technology

Hygiene plays a decisive role in food production. It must be ensured that no impurities, foreign objects or dust enter the production process. Therefore, handling technologies must be planned and designed hygienically in order to meet all requirements. Food is produced and processed in a so-called hygienic environment. Strict standards and guidelines for technical systems apply here. The quality of workmanship, the requirements for material and design and the conformity with the corresponding rules and standards are decisive. Each machine also needs a certificate of conformity with regard to its use and purpose. In order to minimise the risk of contamination and contamination, the choice of the right material for the handling tool is of great importance. Materials that are used

must have abrasion-free surfaces and be matched to the cleaning agents used. That is why lifting technologies are manufactured in stainless steel. Electropolished surfaces that are compliant with FDA and GMP must be used.In the construction of the lifting station, it is important to ensure that no dead spaces must arise in the construction of the handling technology.The drive technology is outsourced and dry storage is used for components to prevent possible moisture.

Food can also be produced under cleanroom conditions. The cleanroom classes ISO class 5 to 8 apply here. ISO 14644 is particularly important here. ISO is a series of standards for cleanrooms and associated cleanroom areas.So what does plant planning of lifting technologies within the food industry look like in practice?

Case Study 1: During bag handling in a large bakery, the goods had to be picked up lying down.

Practical example 1: Handling equipment for bag handling in food production

The task was to develop a lifting aid for handling bags in a large bakery. The bags weighed up to 35 kilograms. This means tedious lifting and loading tasks for employees. In addition, the baking mix bags had to be picked up lying down, erected hanging from the crane arm and placed upright for weighing. Then the bags were opened and part of the powdered baking mix was removed before the partially emptied bag had to be lifted again and placed on a pallet for temporary storage.

Our solution was a combination consisting of the ezzFAST vacuum lifter and the ezzLINKeco wall-mounted jib crane. Using an aluminium boom, the system is able to pick up bags of baking mixes within a radius of 400 cm and then place them next to a scale. The bag grab was equipped with a joint with which the bags can be picked up and erected lying down. Since cartons also have to be moved, the system also has a quick-change coupling that enables the replacement of the appropriate suction cups within a very short time and with minimal personnel effort.There were decisive advantages for the customer:By choosing the right suction cups for the bags and cartons, it is possible to prevent the products from falling, even if the vacuum pump fails, the bag with the suction cup slowly lowers downwards. This meant additional safety and precision in handling and thus less waste due to spilled ingredients.

Video: The ezzFAST handling technology is adaptable for various goods. Music track: Office by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music No Copyright Music for Video (Free)

Source: https://freetouse.com/music

No Copyright Music for Video (Free)

The intuitive operation of the vacuum lifter enables high lifting and lowering speed and high working speed, which in turn means high productivity for the operation.As a result, the employees have no physical strain, as moving and positioning the bags becomes easier.Column crane systems have the advantage that they can be installed stationary or mobile. This is particularly advantageous because they can be used in different locations when configured on the go. This is particularly positive in the case of seasonal production peaks or different productions and offers a great deal of flexibility for the company.In terms of material, a stainless steel crane was chosen. This is easy to clean and thus meets all hygiene standards.

Case study 2: Precision and speed are required during processing. The filling took place at a great height.

Practical example 2: Lifting systems with a pouring function of up to 300 kg in food production

In our second practical example, large quantities of food weighing up to 300 kilograms had to be lifted in a batch trolley and dumped onto a processing line in order to produce recipes. For use in the food industry, the ezzLIFTmaster mobile lifting aid is made entirely of stainless steel in order to meet hygiene standards. During the processing process, 250 kg of fish are emptied onto a processing line. For this purpose, the transport container for the food is raised to over 2 m and emptied electrically driven into a chute for further processing. The emptying process can be dosed well with the help of the electric remote control, which prevents the chute from overflowing. This results in less waste and reduces production costs.

The result is simple and safe handling of the batch trolleys for the employee. One advantage of this lifting aid is also the increased safety. Safety devices are built into the handling tool to prevent accidental release.This customer-specific lifting system allows you to work efficiently, which increases productivity in the company. This is because the ezzLIFTmaster remains at the chute during emptying and is further turned by one of the employees if necessary. No time spent and no employee fatigue during the working day. By using four swivel castors, the mobility of the ezzLIFTmaster is very high and the device is easy to position. It is suitable for various applications. The compact design and the small space requirement of the lift made it possible to use it even in tighter areas.

Work-related illnesses of employees, musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, for example, are the most common reason for absenteeism from work. They are considered the reason for 30 percent of the loss of work. The simple and convenient handling of the very heavy trolleys, which weigh up to 300 kilograms, with the lifting lift increases ergonomics. Working becomes easier and more comfortable.

Conclusion: Configured handling technology adapted for the food industry

On the basis of customer requirements (specifications), Best Handling Technology will develop and implement a solution tailored to your situation. Our solutions guarantee you the necessary security in accordance with ISO 14644 and thus meet legal requirements. Within production or warehouse logistics, the devices enable efficient handling of goods. Employees are relieved and this increases effectiveness and ergonomics.

This makes it possible to work more productively within intralogistics and makes a positive contribution to the company's success.

Would you like to learn more about this topic?

With our standard-compliant handling solutions, we offer manufacturing companies in the food industry the technology they need for productive, fast and ergonomic handling of products. Do you have any questions, suggestions or interest in our products? Then please contact us at info@besthandlingtechnology.com.