Problem
The Sorter company in Poland focuses on the design and sale of a range of technologically advanced machine solutions, from sorting machines to packing and palletising solutions.
One such solution is a special piece of equipment - a so-called tipping chair or 'tippler', which is mounted on a specially designed forklift. As the name suggests, this application performs a 180° tilting movement, which is used to empty the contents of pallet boxes. Such systems are primarily used in the further processing of fruit, for example to safely feed low-quality apples into a collection container. The device picks up the fruit in the collection containers and, thanks to the lateral tilting movement, ensures that the fruit can be tipped out without high impact force.
When designing the tipping device, however, the problem was that there were high demands on the bearing of this system. It was important to guarantee high process accuracy and minimise friction. Until now, only regular lubrication of the system could guarantee the maintenance of machine operation, but this was not desirable.
In addition, all individual parts must also be able to withstand high loads. This means that pallet boxes weighing up to 600 kg may well have to be turned.
In addition, the system usually works in a dusty, dirty and - due to the processing of fruit - sometimes humid environment. Other systems tend to corrode after a short time. In addition, the diameter of the main drive shaft must be as large as possible in order to be able to move the load on it at all.