Operators could slash the noise generated by moving roll cages by almost half if they used rubber matting developed by Surrey firm Impactafloor.

Demonstrated in the Noise Abatement Society’s (NAS) Quiet Delivery Depot at Commercial Motor Live earlier this month, the top 2mm layer of the Roll Cage Floor features hard mineral corundum, while the rest is made from used truck tyres.

“Each square metre of matting (costing £100/m2) weighs 24kg and is anti-slip. Tests have shown a noise reduction of up to 44% on empty cages using the mats,” said MD Chris Harrison.

Initially developed for Tesco for permanent use at store delivery points in residential areas, Harrison believes the logistics industry could develop other applications for the product.

“At the show, several firms expressed an interest in using the matting on the floor of trailers, while one company wondered if it could keep several metres of it in a truck for specific delivery points,” he said.

Also on display was Impactawall, the firm’s new product that acts as an acoustic barrier system. The rubber wall panels are formed from a honeycomb structure and are aimed at reducing noise around loading bays and delivery depots.

Harrison said the NAS is planning to put interested parties together to conduct trials using both the Roll Cage Floor and rubber wall tiles.

Another highlight of the Quiet Delivery Depot was Dhollandia Tail Lifts’ ultra low-noise retractable tail-lift.

“Most of the manual operation of a tail-lift is to do with the rear and side ramps, which is inherently noisy,” said Chris Lay, business unit director at Dhollandia.

“We’ve taken the manual elements away by making them hydraulic and electro-mechanically operational. The tail-lift also comes with an ultra low-noise power pack and ultra low-noise platform coating. We’ve reduced the noise rating from about 100dB to 65dB.”

And an intelligent shutter door from CV component manufacturer Albert Jagger generated a lot of interest from visitors.

The second generation of the remote-controlled Centa-drive was demonstrated with a lightweight, composite door and was almost silent as MT watched it open and close.

Following the successful night-time delivery work that took place during the Olympics, Lisa Lavia, MD of the NAS, said: “I am hopeful that quiet equipment for the transport industry is on course to become the industry norm in the near future.”

Topics