HUCHEZ develop an innovative solution to optimize the process of uncovering of freight waggons

HUCHEZ Engineering provided a specific solution to a factory of the Agro-Food Group Danone for rapidly covering and uncovering the SNCF waggons used for the transport of the production of bottles of Evian natural mineral water. This operation was done manually in the past.

For this specific request, the HUCHEZ Engineering engineers worked on each step of the project: analysis of the needs, processes, procedures and issues of safety for the users, drafting of specifications, search for technical solutions, consulting, preliminary design, manufacturing, adjustment, tests, technical assistance, commissioning on site and lastly training of the personnel.

It took them several months to design, set, and then manufacture a customized product, adapting it perfectly to all of these constraints.

Specific technical features:

• A system on arms, installed on the platforms between two loading tracks. Each winch is positioned between two waggons, with four cable outlets (upline or downline on each of the tracks) allowing for the opening or closing of the covers of the SNCF waggons.

• The manipulators are controlled by one single radio control, for both the winding and the unwinding of the cable. Before each movement, the operator temporarily selects the manipulator selected for the manoeuvre.

• Effort: 150 daN, speed: 25 m/min (45 m/min rapid and empty), a 28m Ø5 mm textile cable with a protective handle, shackle and hook. These winches are also equipped with a deflector and cable maintaining pressure rolls.

This solution, which has been in use for one year now at the site, has been positively received by its users. It has led to increases in productivity for the company and safety and comfort of use for the personnel.

This new innovation for the agro-food sector clearly confirms HUCHEZ Engineering''s vocation of addressing specific issues in very diverse fields of activity: Engineering, construction and public works, aeronautics, chemistry, automobiles, metallurgy, agro-food, river and maritime infrastructures, the field of science, nuclear, the performing arts, etc.