Industrial lifting column

for the pharmaceutical industryfor the food industryadjustable

Overview
Lifting columns, hoists or column lifts allow a vacuum conveyor to be quickly docked and undocked from a machine or container. They simplify cleaning and maintenance, enable faster product changes and mechanically decouple the conveyor from the machine to avoid transfer of weight and vibrations. Mobile/wheeled variants allow a vacuum conveyor to be used at multiple process lines and delivery points.

Applications and typical uses

• Filling containers or receptacles of different sizes (adjust vertical position to container height)
• Feeding and filling of mixers and other process machinery
• Ergonomic cleaning and maintenance (lower conveyor to working height)
• Providing free access to machines during cleaning or maintenance
• Decoupling mass and vibrations from downstream machines
• Flexible use of one vacuum conveyor at several locations (mobile columns)
• Moving the vacuum conveyor into a washing area for cleaning

Stationary and mobile lifting columns
Stationary lifting columns are permanently installed on the floor; for tall columns/heavy booms they can be additionally fixed to the ceiling. They require a small footprint, can achieve large lifting heights and long reach, and offer precise positioning. The column or the boom can be equipped with swivel functionality (entire column rotates around its vertical axis or the boom swivels via a joint).

Mobile lifting columns allow a vacuum conveyor to be used at multiple delivery points; they are moved around the production area and positioned where needed. Compared with stationary columns they require more manoeuvring space. Typical mobile designs include a U-shaped chassis (delivery point must be within the U or the front rollers are threaded under the delivery point) or a trolley with an extended chassis behind the column to provide additional stability.

Drive variants for height adjustment
We offer three types of drive for height adjustment of vacuum conveyors attached to lifting columns:

• Manual drive: hand crank operates gearbox and rack. Inexpensive and suitable for sporadic use; minimal force required for lightweight conveyors.
• Pneumatic drive: compressed-air cylinder integrated in the column. Ideal for use in dust-explosion hazard zones (suitable for installation where explosion protection is required).
• Electric drive: provides high positioning accuracy and supports high lifting heights and heavier loads; suitable where frequently varying filling heights are required.

Swivel movement
Swivel options include rotating the entire stationary column around its vertical axis (manual rotation with locking positions) or fitting a swivel joint to the boom/fork to allow horizontal swivel of the boom. Both mobile and stationary columns can implement a swivelling boom joint.

Operation in hazardous areas (ATEX / explosion protection)
Lifting columns can be designed for use in dust-explosive atmospheres. Many designs are used in Zone 22; Volkmann VS and PPC vacuum conveyors have type-examination for installation and operation in Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 when combined appropriately.

Docking systems
Connections between vacuum conveyor and downstream machine or container can be manual or automatic. Docking systems (e.g. VIAS docking valve or aseptic transfer valves for pharmaceutical applications) enable automatic docking/undocking and aseptic transfer where required.

Quick-change bracket for the vacuum conveyor
An optional quick-change bracket allows tool-free insertion and removal of a Volkmann vacuum conveyor from the fork mount: the conveyor is guided into the mounting block using guide pins, secured with locking pins and then media connections (conveyor line, pneumatic couplings) and grounding are reconnected via clamp and plug connections as appropriate.

Connections and media supply
Conveyor line, compressed-air supply, electrical connections and other lines are routed through the boom to the vacuum conveyor. For mobile lifting columns, pneumatic and electrical connections can be implemented as plug-in connections; customised connections are possible.

Materials and surface finish
Standard material: AISI 304 stainless steel. Standard surface finish: blasted to R_a < 1.5 µm. Optional finer ground finish: R_a < 0.8 µm on request.

Automation
Electric and pneumatic drive versions are suitable for automation. Optional interfaces enable data exchange with other controllers or higher-level systems (e.g. OPC UA architectures).

Special solutions
Custom/bespoke lifting columns can be developed (examples include integration of metal detectors, aseptic transfer solutions, HEPA/secondary filter stages, washing-in-place (WIP) features or relocation of filters and vacuum pumps to reduce overall conveyor height for low-ceiling installations).

Technical specifications

• Product type: Lifting column / hoist for vacuum conveyors (stationary or mobile)
• Drive options: Manual (hand crank + gearbox & rack), Pneumatic (integrated compressed-air cylinder), Electric (motorised)
• Swivel: column rotation around vertical axis or swivel joint on boom/fork
• ATEX suitability: designs available for use in dust-explosive zones; Volkmann VS and PPC series compatible with Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 when specified
• Materials: standard AISI 304 stainless steel
• Surface finish: standard blasted R_a < 1.5 µm; optional ground R_a < 0.8 µm
• Mounting: floor-mounted (stationary) with optional ceiling support; mobile trolleys with U-shaped chassis or extended rear chassis options
• Accessories / options: quick-change bracket, docking valves (VIAS or aseptic transfer valves), Multijector® pump mounting on boom, HEPA secondary filter stage, WIP-compatible conveyor integrations, metal detector integration
• Connections: conveyor line, pneumatic and electrical supply routed via boom; plug-in connections possible for mobile columns
• Automation interfaces: optional (e.g. OPC UA-capable)