VERLINDE TECHNOLOGIES equips ARKOPHARMA with a highly compact hoist certified ATEX against gaseous and dust-laden atmospheres, developed from the TIRLIFT range, with a hoisting capacity of 600 kg.

ARKOPHARMA was seeking to replace its hoisting facility in order to evacuate the plant residues on leaving the press for manufacturing hypo-therapeutic products. The process consists of a hydraulic press actuated by a cylinder. Following the infusion/maceration stage of the raw materials in a tank, this machine will press the parts of the medicinal plants used, in order to extract their juice. The hoist had to meet two constraints: qualify for ATEX certification for both dust-laden and gaseous environments and be highly compact so as to be situated between the vertical centreline of the handling gantry and the hydraulic cylinder of the infusion press.

“Amongst the many products offered by the market, VERLINDE proved to be the only constructor capable of undertaking a contractually-binding commitment for the two ATEX certifications – dust and gas, whilst also complying with our overall dimension constraints. The space available for the hoist was less than that of cube with sides measuring 50 centimetres." says Mr. MASCARELLI, Head of Production Maintenance at ARKOPHARMA. The TIRLIFT hoist is used about ten times a day. After completing the infusion cycle, the tank is extracted from the press. The hoist is then used to lift the basket containing the plant matter left as residue after the processing operation. The basket is then set down on the floor and emptied.

« As regards the gas and dust ATEX certification, there is a requirement at one and the same time for perfectly tight casings of the mechanisms and low and totally controlled operating temperatures. To comply with ATEX requirements, we have enormous experience – the outcome of 17 years of work on our hoisting gear. We have standard ATEX motors entirely designed and developed by us. The same applies to most of the mechanical parts » says Mr. FONTAINE, manager of the explosives department of VERLINDE Technologies. “The most difficult task was to make an ATEX hoist maintaining all the hoisting power characteristics and reliability of the TIRLIFT range, whilst at the same time keeping it just as compact.”

It is the sum total of several technical innovations that have enabled VERLINDE Technologies to respond positively to the request of ARKOPHARMA. For example, use of a flat reduction gearbox has enabled the drum and motor to be mounted alongside one another, and hence with parallel shafts. An explosion-proof motor with a special flange has also been used. In this case, the shaft of the motor is secured directly inside the gearbox. The adapter parts are hence eliminated. A specific thick aluminium casing was also specially developed and the motor terminal box oriented upwards.

“Finally, we particularly appreciated the quality of the exchanges and the attentive lent by the VERLINDE teams” concludes Mr. MAQCARELLI

ARKOPHARMA – HEALTH - In the natural way Worldwide presence in over 65 countries By proposing a global approach to health and well-being, the ARKOPHARMA pharmaceutical laboratories intention is to meet the expectations of the consumer: an offer of natural medicinal products for both curative and preventive applications. Phytotherapeutics and nutritherapeutics cover natural medicines particularly well suited for “the sickness of civilisation” created by stress, unhealthy nutritional practices and living styles. They meet the need to “feel good” and “keep in shape”. It is thanks to its unceasing quest for innovation and constantly improved quality that ARKPHARMA has quickly become the leader in phytotherapeutics is France.