Every week of the year, Sønderborg’s public utility company, Sønderborg Forsyning, cleans up to 50 dustbins ranging from 140 to 370 litres in size. The handling and washing of these bins is both time consuming and physically demanding for the employees.

Sønderborg Forsyning contacted Hannemann Engineering to enquire as to whether the firm could develop a cleaning system for these dustbins.

In order to solve the task, Hannemann Engineering elected to work together with Trimatic Automation A/S. We experience professional collaboration every time. We have different core skill sets and we complement each other well – we specify the same strict requirements with regard to quality, efficiency and deadlines, says Palle Hannemann.

Efficiency of working processes improved
In 2018, Hannemann Engineering and Trimatic were able to deliver the first dustbin washer to Sønderborg Forsyning. Hannemann Engineering has developed the dustbin washer and the mechanical hydraulic system and nozzles, whilst Trimatic has supplied the control unit.

The new dustbin washer has rapidly become popular at Sønderborg Forsyning.

– Previously, the cleaning task was carried out manually, but now the dustbin washer completes the task both quickly and efficiently. So we’ve achieved our goal of making our working procedures more efficient and improving the working environment. The dustbin washer can clean bins in just two minutes, and, if required, we can also wash down the exterior. It’s ingenious and runs faultlessly, says Thomas Wind, who is Works Manager at Sønderborg Forsyning.

From supplier to strategic partner
At Trimatic, the development of the control system has been an exciting task, and CEO Claus Sørensen now hopes that more of Denmark’s 98 waste disposal companies will be able to enjoy the benefits of Hannemann Engineering and Trimatic’s joint development.

– It’s been a really good process that has been strengthened by our good working relationship with Hannemann Engineering. The days of sub-suppliers are a thing of the past. Today the real value lies in strategic partnerships where we carry out development together, assume responsibility and are able to boost each other’s strengths. This is what results in good solutions and good products. A good example of this is the dustbin washer, which is now ready to make working processes easier in many more of Denmark’s utility companies, concludes Claus Sørensen from Trimatic.


FACTS

In brief: How the dustbin washer works

The dustbin washer can handle dustbins of 140, 190, 240 and 370 litres. The dustbin is placed manually in the washer, and is raised in the same way as when emptying rubbish in a dustcart. The bin is then simply lowered over nozzles spraying jets of water.

The control unit, which has been developed by Trimatic, is located in a cabinet on the side of the dustbin washer. The mechanical hydraulic system and the nozzles, which have been developed by Hannemann Engineering ApS, are configured to wash and clean the rubbish containers depending on how dirty they are. The dustbin washer can be adjusted to provide a cleaning time of between 45 and 405 seconds.