Low noise kit on show at quiet depot
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By Laura Hailstone
RECYCLED TRUCK tyres are being used to reduce roll cage noise, in the form of thick, tough rubber matting developed by Surrey firm Impactafloor [pictured].
The Rollcage Floor, which was demonstrated in the Noise Abatement’s Quiet Delivery Depot at Commercial Motor Live, is made from used truck tyres. The top 2mm of its layer features hard mineral corundum.
“The flooring had to be dense and durable to allow for the heavy laden weights of roll cages,” said Impactafloor MD Chris Harrison.
“Each square metre of matting [which costs £100] weighs 24kg and is anti-slip. Tests have shown a noise reduction of up to 44% on empty cages using the matts,” he added.
Another highlight of the Quiet Delivery Depot was an intelligent shutter door from CV component manufacturer, Albert Jagger. The second generation of the remote-controlled Centadrive was demonstrated with a lightweight, composite door and was virtually close to silent as CM watched it open and close.
Visiting the depot, Mike Daly, non-executive director at Clipper Logistics, said: “I like the intelligent shutter almost from a security aspect as much as a quiet aspect. The technology is similar to a garage door and it means the driver, who has taken his parcels out, doesn’t need a free hand to close the door.” In the middle of the depot, Dhollandia Tail Lifts demonstrated its PIEK-compliant ultra low-noise retractable tail-lift.
“Most of the manual operation of a tail-lift is to do with the rear and side ramps, and is inherently noisy,” said Chris Lay, business unit director at Dhollandia.
“We’ve taken the manual elements away by making them hydraulic and electromechanically operational. The tail-lift also comes with an ultra low-noise power pack and ultra low-noise platform coating. We’ve reduced the noise rating from about 100dB to 65dB.” Meanwhile, Toyota Material Handling UK, told CM it was seeing more demand for its BT Lifter Silent hand pallet trucks. Adjustable rubber studs at the push rod ends, along with sound absorbing wheels, eliminate the familiar rattle of a conventional hand pallet truck. The motorised version, the BT Levio Silent, has a silent lifting system, along with vibration dampening and sound-reducing material placed strategically inside the chassis.
For more information, log on to noiseabatementsociety.com or email lisa.lavia@ noise-abatement.org.