It’s not everyday you can implement changes to your factory floor working practices that can achieve both updated HSE compliances as well as sustainability strategy goals.
In the case of global technology company ZF’s manufacturing site in Pontypool, investing in a new briquetting machine with a bespoke swarf bin lifter achieved exactly that.
Internal Health & Safety procedure changes to maintain safe working practices, meant there was a requirement for ZF to reduce the amount of forklift truck movement on the factory floor and also to reduce the risks associated with tipping the swarf bins up into a briquetting machine due to the height of the hopper.
ZF are working towards being Climate Neutral by 2040 through the implementation of an extensive sustainability strategy globally. Reducing resource consumption, increasing material efficiency and the reduction of waste volumes are all key elements in supporting a circular economy and enable a manufacturer like ZF to close the loop.
The automotive technology company therefore chose to replace their existing swarf briquetting machine at their site in Pontypool, with a new system from J&S Engineering after detailed consultation with us on solutions we could offer to meet their requirements.
Working with our specialist manufacturer Höcker Polytechnik, we developed a bespoke machine package comprising of an iSwarf 440 metal swarf briquetting press fitted to a custom-sized swarf bin lifter unit.
A more robust briquetting system was needed to cope with both the type and the volume of swarf needing to be processed as curly swarf is also present. A cam-barrel crusher plus four large screws in the bottom of the hopper work together to prevent bridging & tunnelling of the swarf within the hopper itself.
The bin lifter is custom made to the exact measurements of ZF’s swarf bins. This enables staff to wheel the bins directly up to the lifter unit, which then automatically lifts and tips safely and securely.
An extended guard is fitted around the top of the hopper on the iSwarf440 to facilitate a clean tipping procedure from the bin lifter.
This system takes 2 to 3 full skips at a time for a full processing cycle. This can be up to 150 kilos per hour of the aluminium swarf.
All reclaimed machining coolant is automatically drained back into an IBC for reuse back into the factory.
Investing in swarf management equipment as part of a corporate sustainability plan not only contributes to achieving responsible manufacturing goals but also provides both environmental & financial benefits. This can be seen primarily with the:
- Increased value of aluminium swarf
- Reduction in swarf storage needs / costs
- Decreased number of recycler pick ups
- Reclamation of coolant for instant reuse
To explore how these benefits could be incorporated into your company sustainability strategy through your machine shop floor, then you can find out more about our swarf briquetting solutions by hitting either of the links below!
