IBC Post Hoists
IBC Post Hoists are used for many handling applications within the
pharmaceutical manufacturing process. Common applications include lifting IBCs
over the inlet of processing equipment, lifting IBCs up to dock with
filling equipment, and as IBC blenders.
Safety First
Safety is critical to any lifting
equipment, and the Buck Systems’ Post Hoist has been designed for paramount
safety of the operator. The larger post hoists use a twin chain lifting system;
each of the chains is rated to the safe working load of the hoist. So, in the
unlikely event that one chain should fail, the second chain maintains the
lifting position. The lifting drive is via an electric ‘braked’ motor. In the
event of loss of utilities to the hoist, the load will remain in the
sameposition; any risk of the carriage slipping is prevented, a risk associated
with hydraulics lifting systems. The operator interface panel is mounted on the
rear of the column and operated on a ‘hold-to-run’ principle, ensuring the
operator is in a safe position.
GMP Design
The electric motor lift drive removes the
need for hydraulic lifts, and with it all the non-GMP issues associated with
hydraulic devices. A unique stainless steel dust tight front cover that fully
encloses the working parts of the column is available as an option, to further
improve the GMP design of the post hoist.
Controls
The control system is simple and user friendly.
For the basic units, simple push buttons control the raise and lowering
operations. For more sophisticated requirements, a PLC control is utilised with
user friendly HMI. The PLC control system is available in either Siemens or
Allen Bradley versions. For high lift applications or where a slow speed is
required for IBC 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 a slow controlled speed.
Modular Design
Ranges of lifting carriages are available
for the Buck Systems’ Post Hoist. For the IBC lifting operations,
Standard Forks allow the IBC to be securely lifted and
accurately aligned. For drum handling operations, the Drum Inverting
Carriage is available for the PH150 and PH300 models. Where the IBC
needs to be inverted for filling through its outlet valve, the IBC
Inverting Carriage can be fitted. By fitting the IBC Blending
Carriage, the Post Hoist becomes a Blender, offering the same blending
efficiency as the Pedestal range of blenders. The IBC Weighing
Carriage allows the IBC to be lifted to a filling point, accurately
aligns the IBC with the Buck® Filling Active Valve, and allows dynamic weighing
of the IBC as it is filled. The Bowl Inverting Carriage is
used to allow Aeromatic-Fielder Fluid Bed Dryer bowls and discharge cones to be
lifted and inverted for
discharge. The base of the column allows the column
to be either Static Mounted or mounted on a Slewing
Base to allow the carriage to be swivelled over the inlet of a
downstream process. Slewing can be either manual or electrically driven.
Position switches allow for accurate docking
alignment. For models up to
the PH600, a Portable Base Frame can be added to allow the
unit to be mobile. This module together with the IBC blending carriage is ideal
for small scale R & D blending applications, where portable blending units
are popular.
Applications
Post Hoists can be used for a range of
applications within the pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, a few common
examples are explained below
IBC Discharge
The most common use for the Post Hoist is
lifting an IBC for discharge over the inlet of a down stream process, i.e. a
granulator or a tablet press. The Forks on the standard lifting carriage
accurately aligns the IBC to ensure a positive docking operation. The variable
speed lifting motor allows for a fast lifting operation, with a slow docking
speed.
Milling and Blending
By carry 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® Active Valve on the inlet of the Mill. Controls and interlocks for
the Buck® Valve are managed through the Post Hoist control system
IBC Filling
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® Active Filling 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® Active Filling 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
Small Container Handling
The Post Hoist fitted
with the Drum Inversion Carriage is ideal for manipulating small drums or
charge pots over the inlet of process equipment or IBCs. For High Containment
applications, small Charge Pots with highly potent API can be lifted, inverted
and docked with a Buck® Valve on the inlet of the granulator or IBC.
Features and Benefits
- Allows gravity discharge from an IBC to a downstream process – removes the
need for vacuum conveying
- Lifts and holds IBC directly above process machine – no need for discharge
stations
- Twin Chain Lifting Carriage*
- Electrical braked motor
- No Hydraulics
- St/St Front Dust Cover
- Fully enclosed column and drive motors
- Robust Mechanical Construction
- IBC Forks for secure and accurate lifting and docking
- Drum Module Handling
- IBC Inverting Module
- IBC Blending Module
- IBC Weighing Module
- FBD Bowl Module
- Failsafe and Stress Free Clamping System (for Inversion and Blending
Modules)
- Positive IBC Detection
- Pallet Truck Loading
- Manual Slewing
- Powered Slewing
- Through the Wall Design
- User Friendly
- ‘Hold to Run’
- Siemens PLC
- Allen Bradley
- Variable Speed
- CFR 21 Part 11
- ATEX Compliance
- Validation Documentation to GAMP
* PH600 and above.