2.3.2026 / 6-minute read

Feeding System for Battery Materials: Overhead Conveyance & Precision 60-Degree Tipping

Overview

A manufacturer of lithium-ion battery electrode materials faced a bottleneck in raw material handling during production line expansion and upgrade.

Powders or precursors, often contained in large pallets, needed to be transferred efficiently and cleanly from ground-level storage to the feeding ports of mixing or reaction equipment located on a second-floor mezzanine.

Traditional methods involving forklifts and manual pouring were inefficient, prone to dust generation, space-consuming, and posed safety risks, necessitating an automated, enclosed solution.

Basic Parameters

Category	Specification
Main Specifications
Rated Load Capacity	3000 kg
Maximum Lift Height	6300 mm
Tipping Angle	60°
Platform Size	3100 × 1500 mm
Equipment Grade	Standard (Non-Explosion Proof)
Mechanical Configuration
Drive & Guidance System	2 Hydraulic Cylinders + 4 Guide Rails (with tipping mechanism)
Material & Component Standards
Guide Rail	150H Type
Platform Frame	120×60×4 mm Rectangular Tube
Platform Deck	3 mm Anti-slip Plate
Hydraulic Power Unit(s)	5.5 kW (Lift) + 4 kW (Tip)
Main Chain	12A-1 (1244 Links)
Wire Rope	#12
Control System
Operation Mode	Automatic Interlocked Control (Tip at position, Lower after reset)
Electrical Components Brand	Delixi
Environmental Adaptation
Minimum Operating Temperature	-25°C (Hydraulic system can be equipped with heater)
Core Process Function
Workflow	Lifting → Precision Tipping/Discharge → Return

Challenge

Process Integration: The system needed to seamlessly integrate into the existing line, automating the entire sequence from ground-level pallet reception, vertical lifting to a precise height, to tipping at a specific angle for material discharge into a sealed hopper.
Harsh Industrial Environment: With ambient temperatures as low as -25°C, the hydraulic and electrical systems required exceptional reliability for cold starts and stable operation under extreme conditions.
Safety & Sequential Control: The high-load lifting and tipping actions required strict, interlocked sequential control to prevent operational errors. Smooth, vibration-free operation was crucial to minimize dust agitation.
Space Optimization: Utilizing vertical space to resolve horizontal traffic conflicts and optimize plant layout for a more compact, efficient material-handling area.

Solutions

We designed and delivered an automated feeding system integrating “heavy-duty vertical lifting” with “precision-angle tipping”:

Integrated Function Design: The machine combines a 6300mm vertical lift with a 60° controlled tip. The workflow is fully automated: forklift places pallet → platform lifts automatically to the second-level station → platform tips 60° to discharge → returns to level → platform lowers automatically.
High-Load, Stable Structure: A reinforced “2-cylinder, 4-guide rail + tipping” structure ensures absolute stability under the full 3000kg load. The 3100mm entry/exit direction is optimized for standard pallets and forklift operation.
Low-Temperature Dual Hydraulic System: Two independent power units (5.5KW for lift, 4KW for tip) provide precise control. Designed for -25°C operation, the system incorporates provisions for heating elements, with core components selected for low-temperature reliability.
Fully Automated Safety Interlock Control: A unified control system enforces the safety logic of “tip only when raised, lower only after reset.” Key electrical components, such as Delixi brand specified by the client, ensure control reliability.

Results & Benefits

Enhanced Automation & Efficiency: It enabled seamless, automated transfer from storage to feeding point, drastically reducing cycle time, boosting productivity, and reducing reliance on skilled labor.
Improved Production Environment: The controlled, smooth tipping action significantly reduced powder dispersion, creating a cleaner and more compliant workspace for sensitive battery material production.
Increased Safety & Reliability: Automated interlocked controls eliminated risks from human error. Reliable operation in low temperatures ensured uninterrupted production.
Optimized Layout & Leaner Operations: The vertical feeding solution freed up valuable floor space, allowing for a more streamlined production layout and providing a foundation for future capacity expansion.