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Special Handling Solutions: Kiln Access System

Industrial processing relies on heavy production line machinery, installed in large plants, and invariably at a scale that requires specialised access equipment to facilitate maintenance and repair. In this bespoke application, SCX’s expertise is called upon to provide a safe, stable and reliable man-riding platform for maintenance staff to descend below ground to access kilns used in the smelting of aluminium.

The Challenge

Many industrial plants, such as aluminium smelters, rely on processes that take place below ground. Smelting kilns are often built beneath the workshop floor and require regular maintenance and repair to keep the smelting process quality levels high.

SCX was given the challenge of designing and installing a bespoke solution to provide maintenance access to the kilns. The system would need to deploy both personnel and equipment 5 metres down into the kilns and retrieve them in a safe, efficient and flexible way.

The Solution

SCX’s solution is a man-riding platform system, comprising a mobile base frame onto which a number of traversing and elevating cradles can be mounted. The entire base frame can be lifted with an overhead crane and moved around the workshop to service multiple banks of kilns.

Once positioned over the kiln pit, the frame’s cradles are lowered and raised to and from the kilns, providing full, safe access for staff along with their maintenance equipment.

Technical Details

Explore more specialist handling solutions from SCX