Pneumatic and hydraulic lifting technology
Where hoists and crane systems are maintained and repaired
The pneumatic and hydraulic hoists and crane systems from J.D. Neuhaus are built for extreme operating conditions. But what happens when the sometimes gigantic hoists need to be serviced or repaired? Workstation systems from Krieg have therefore been installed in the new service center.
Moving even heavy loads under the most difficult conditions - this is what J.D. Neuhaus GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Witten in the south-east of the Ruhr region, specializes in. The company has been specializing in conveyor technology for 275 years. Whether in the shipyard, on the oil rig, in the chemical or food industry: simple and at the same time the highest demands are placed on a hoist or crane system from J.D. Neuhaus. Service Manager Rüdiger Doll explains: "We want to be the best - in terms of technical development, but also in terms of customer focus." In order to achieve this, particularly in service, the service department has undergone a complete modernization process. "The need has become increasingly apparent - because service is where the potential and the future lie." The company rounds off its service offering with services such as installation, inspection, maintenance and customer training.
Mock-up made from lightweight materials
The newly established service department was therefore provided with its own premises. This included an administration and training area as well as various workstations and two indoor cranes. The team was involved in the process from the outset in order to take into account the day-to-day procedures and working methods and to organize and set up everything exactly according to the needs of the employees. In the rooms, a so-called mock-up was made from lightweight materials - in other words, a scale model to depict reality in advance. Doll: "Everything always looks ideal on a plan. So we tried to simulate the layout and equipment in order to avoid mistakes in advance." The mock-ups were moved here and there, the work processes were simulated and the internal routes were modeled.

Mini with stamina
The new Mini series from J.D. Neuhaus (JDN) is a range of compact hoists which, according to the manufacturer, is probably unique in the industry thanks to an integrated NFC tag with service app.
"We developed a target image for the equipment and approached two companies with it - the experts from Krieg immediately understood what we wanted and needed," says Doll. What should the workbench look like? How do the employees envision the work surface? Which organization system would be ideal? And what is the easiest way to make the sketches and technical drawings of the products stored on the server accessible? Following the team's wishes and ideas, the specialists Krieg got talking to J.D. Neuhaus. Discussions were held, suggestions were made and technical input was provided. "It wasn't about implementing our ideas 1:1, but about putting together the best possible solution for us," Doll recalls the early days of the collaboration. Based on drawings, CAD drafts and parts lists, the decision was made in favor of the Profiplan workstation system.
Reliability and stability when subjected to dynamic forces
Permanent functionality, outstanding performance and long-lasting quality - this is how J.D. Neuhaus describes its standards. This applies to the company's own production of hoists and crane systems as well as to the products and services of other experts. Therefore, the workbenches from Profiplan and the equipment from Krieg had to meet the relevant criteria such as reliability and stability under dynamic force - and thus meet the standards and understanding of quality that the lifting technology manufacturer demands on a daily basis. Quick assembly and conversion, tool-free plug-in accessory components and functionality thanks to full utilization of space were also positive aspects of the workbench system. Doll: "Heavy engines are stored here. That's why the workbench really has to be able to take a beating and must not collapse."
Whether pneumatic hoists or lifting gear, crane systems, crane kits or hydraulic hoists: the hoists can lift loads from 125 kilograms to 100 tons. The various types of equipment are both quite compact and easy to handle in their installation space and weigh several tons. Especially for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and under the toughest conditions, the safety-relevant products must constantly comply with complex safety requirements. All hoists must undergo an annual inspection in Germany, and some require repair, maintenance or a general overhaul. This sometimes takes place at the customer's premises worldwide - and in many cases also at the main plant. "When it comes to very large hoists, they are completely dismantled in our service department, the individual parts are checked, cleaned, fitted with new parts if necessary, reassembled and returned to the customer," says Doll, explaining the work process. Every year, 250 hoists are inspected and processed in-house. A large hoist consists of up to 150 individual parts, which are processed at the workbench. "This requires storage space and a clever sorting system so that everything can be carefully inspected."
In addition to four large Profiplan workbenches, cabinets were also installed for each employee, as well as additional tables for assembly, tool rails, compressed air supply and storage areas for the grease gun, for example. The workbenches are manually height-adjustable. The entire design of the service center with its shortened routes, eliminated walking distances, ergonomic aspects, streamlined processes and optimal reach spaces is appreciated by the employees. "Our service experts feel comfortable in their new workplace. Their day-to-day work now shows that the overall concept is coherent," summarizes Doll. "Although we didn't set up a huge number of workstations and wanted something rather special, we were taken seriously. We were given as much attention as for a major project. We felt we were in good hands all round."











