Inspection and repair entrusted to Invert Robotics for the third year running by Europe’s largest and most advanced dairy processing plant.
With its unique vacuum crawler inspection robot and in collaboration with rope access welding crews, Invert Robotics has replaced a 10 day inspection and repair cycle using scaffolding with a 2 day cycle with only minimal confined space access.
In Eastern Germany, close to the Czech border, stands one of the largest and most modern dairy processing plants in Europe. Part of the large complex are four ‘Dryer-Towers’. Each of these consist of a spray dryer and associated cyclone, baghouse and fluid bed. As even small damages can result in contamination, these large stainless steel structures need to be inspected and repaired on a yearly basis.
With its 30x optical zoom camera on the stable robotic platform, and variable lighting options, even the smallest defects are found by our inspectors. After these are marked and logged for the repair crew, who follow close behind, the robot moves to the next asset as the welders get busy. This highly efficient system allows for record turnaround times while increasing the accuracy and repeatability of the inspections and repairs.
With 8 days less downtime and no need for scaffolding, the economic benefits are huge. But even more important is the great safety gains. The only people required in the asset are the welders. No scaffold builders or inspectors. And with the defects marked, the welders can spend only the minimum time necessary.
Finally, no scaffolding means no risk of dents, scratches or other damage to the vulnerable stainless steel surface of the dryers.
All these advantages mean that this state-of-the-art dairy plant is one of the large and growing group of companies that have selected Invert Robotics to look after their critical production assets. For more information, please contact your local representative.
