Pressed for Time – JH Kemp uses Enerpac Gantry for Press Move

International machinery installations and removals specialist, JH Kemp Ltd, has used an Enerpac SL400 telescopic hydraulic gantry to relocate a Wilkins and Mitchell press weighing 70 Tons at Salop Design & Engineering, a metal pressings and assemblies’ manufacturer in Telford, UK. Lifting and moving the press was completed over a weekend, saving Salop Design & Engineering three weeks in lost production.

With increasing demands for the company’s pressings and pressed assemblies for the automotive, domestic appliances and agricultural industries, Salop wanted the 400T capacity press to be out of service for the minimum amount of time. Normally the press would be de-stacked for movement, involving the de-stressing of tie rods and dismantling completely into its individual components: press crown, slide, side cheeks, base and so on, and reassembled in the new location taking about three weeks.

Given the press was being relocated in the same building, JH Kemp Ltd proposed using its Enerpac SL400 hydraulic gantry to move the press without dismantling. After some preparatory work involving removal of the press feed conveyors, a minimum amount of guarding, floor plates around the press and bolts holding the press in position, the press in its entirety was lifted off the its foundations using the gantry. It was then moved along the gantry tracks to its new position in the press shop. Once in line with the new position the Enerpac SL400 gantry was re-rigged and the press uplifted and placed on to the prepared press foundation.

“Having the Enerpac SL400 hydraulic gantry in our lift systems portfolio significantly increased our lifting options for the JH Kemp project. It allowed us to complete the press move over one weekend much to the delight of our customer,” says Barry
Kendrick, contracts manager, JH Kemp Ltd.

Enerpac SL400 Gantry

The SL400 hydraulic gantry lifts up to 30 feet at the top of the third stage and can handle up to 450 tons at the top of the second stage. The gantry control system allows users to operate the lift locally at each leg or use the Intellilift remote control. The Intellilift wireless control system allows for unobstructed views of the load and lift. The wireless system ensures automatic synchronization of lifting with accuracy of 2.5 cm (1 inch) and automatic synchronization of travel with accuracy of 1.5 cm (0.60 inch). Each gantry leg includes an integrated self-propelled drive system for smooth movement along the gantry track.

The Enerpac SL400 gantry is compact and readily transported in a single container, and has a totally enclosed hydraulic power pack and hoses to ensure safety.

Source JH Kemp, Enerpac