An electro-hydraulic Dock-Leveller is not simply "a bridge for connecting a vehicle". Frequently the important characteristic that this tool needs is undervalued, in order to guarantee an efficient working environment to comply with the safety in work regulations. Since the invention of the hydraulic dock-leveller, very poor design improvement has been implemented by manufacturers of the traditional types, and the result is old concept products with poor characteristics in respect of safety in work and installation. Campisa dock-levellers have been manufactured since 1975.

In 1983, a completely different concept was applied to satisfy different customer needs, offering new advantages and often-cheaper costs. The most advanced concept of the Campisa dock-leveller is to have the whole drive unit contained in a wall box, which is installed on a wall inside the warehouse, at eye level, which allows for easy and economical maintenance, without the necessity to manoeuvre under the platform or inside the pit, were traditional power packs and controls are usually installed: an undoubtedly dangerous, dirty and uncomfortable operation.

A wide study of previously installed power units motivated us to design the Multiple Consolle. Depending on the type of installation it can hydraulically power several dock-levellers with only one Consolle (drive unit), each dock-leveller controlled separately by its own control pad. They can also work simultaneously. With these solutions Campisa has dramatically economised by optimising the function of the single parts so successfully that it has practically eliminated, for several years, any repair intervention. Further dramatic economies are obtained by reducing the electric mains supply points to one per Consolle instead of one per dock-leveller. The reduction is about 65% in dock-leveller installations and about 75% in dock-leveller and powered sectional door installations. This reduction normally results in important economies when installing the mains distribution box. Consequently by reducing the number of motors there is a dramatic saving on electricity costs, as the global mains power engagement is radically reduced.

Radius lip dock-levellers allow the dock to connect with the truck bed, therefore making it possible to drive directly on and off with fork-lift trucks, roll containers etc. Loading and unloading operations become quick, safe and economical. Campisa dock-levellers can be easily positioned. They come with the most secure safety devices. They are built in conformity with the EN 1398. Telescopic lip dock-levellers are ideal for connecting vehicles unable to drive near to the dock (e.g., sea containers, side loading railway wagons, etc), or where it is imperative to reach a longer total length of the dock-leveller itself. These types can be supplied with a lip extending up to 1 m.

The Campisa dock-leveller is supplied complete with:

• Platform and lip in almond anti-slip steel
• Single effect lift cylinder, double effect lip cylinder
• Safety stops in case of accidental departure of the vehicle
• Maximum pressure valve
• Side foot protection steel sheets
• Rubber bumpers 300 x 55 x 60 mm
• Wall Consolle containing the whole drive unit, and
• Control, with low-level conduit protection, or motor underneath.

(Gandhi Automations, Mumbai, is India's No.1 entrance automations & loading bay equipment company. Tel: 022-66720200, 66720300. Fax: 91-22-66720201. Email: sales@geapl.co.in)