Risk Assessment: EXO 70 and EXO 150

Risk Assessment: EXO 70 and EXO 150

Drive System – Electric Motors / Shafts etc.

General Description:

All models of the EXO honey press are powered by electric motors.

Brushless electric motors are used, each with a power output of 0.018 kW.

These motors run directly at 1300/1400 RPM and are connected to the machines via a gearbox. The gearbox reduces the rotation speed to approximately 7 RPM. This slow rotation is transferred directly to the machine’s drive shafts.

The shafts are connected to the motors via a standard coupling system and are mounted in sliding bearings. The shafts only protrude a few millimeters beyond the machine’s frame and are secured with locking rings. On the motor side, the shafts (less than 100 mm in length) are shielded by the motor mounting bracket.

The motors are powered by 240 V, 10/13 A. Power is supplied from a standard electrical outlet using a ~3-meter-long, 3-core, 1.5 mm² rubber cable with multi-stranded wires.

All wire ends are fitted with terminal connectors, which reduces the risk of conductor breakage and ensures reliable power transmission.

Power is supplied via one phase and one neutral wire, with the third wire as the ground connection.

Electricity flows through a control box, which features an on/off switch allowing forward and reverse motor operation, and an emergency stop that shuts down the entire machine.

The control box with emergency stop is mounted visibly and within easy reach, ensuring the emergency stop is always accessible during operation. When the emergency stop is activated, the machine’s power supply is cut. After activation, the start/stop button must be reset before the motor(s) can run again.

From the control box to the motors, a 4-core, 1.5 mm² rubber cable is used. This enables control of both forward and reverse motor movement.

Drive wheels for the machine’s timing belts are mounted on the shafts between the machine’s frame walls. The timing belts are driven by the motors through these shafts and pulley wheels at a speed of approximately 2 meters per minute. The entire system runs relatively slowly. Any components, such as pulleys where there could be a risk of finger or clothing entrapment, are mounted between stainless steel frame walls with a clearance of just 0.1 mm—making it physically impossible to get fingers or clothing caught.

 

Motors

As the motors are powered by 240V/13A, they must always be kept dry and must be removed from the machine—along with the control box—prior to cleaning or similar maintenance tasks.

Before mounting or dismounting the motors and control box, the machine must be completely disconnected from the electrical grid.

It is essential that users always verify the correct voltage supply: 240V/10–13A. In case of uncertainty, the voltage must be confirmed by a certified electrician.

Before disconnecting a motor, it must first be unplugged from the control box by separating the plug connecting the control box to the motor cable.

Due to the power distribution, the machine must never be started unless all motors belonging to the machine are correctly mounted.

The motors are sealed units with no active cooling. This design was chosen to minimize the risk of fingers or fabric being caught in a potential fan.

These fanless motors can reach up to 80°C (176°F) during extended use. They cannot be further shielded, as this would impair cooling. It is assessed that an 80°C surface temperature does not pose a significant health or safety risk. Although too hot to touch continuously, it is unlikely to cause burns or scalding. Therefore, this level of heat does not constitute a substantial safety hazard.

 

Other Machine Components

The machines are constructed using custom-made elements in stainless steel and POM (polyoxymethylene). All parts are precisely fitted so the machines can be assembled entirely by hand.

The stainless steel plates are welded and subsequently acid-treated to maintain their corrosion resistance.

Each machine is assembled around spacers and shafts, ensuring a fixed distance between the two perforated plates that make up the honey drainage system. The two timing belts move and compress the honeycombs through the machine, continuously forcing honey out through the perforated plates. A unique feature of the design is that, after compression, the wax continues unhindered out of the machine. This capability enables a continuous, uninterrupted workflow, which significantly increases honey extraction efficiency. When operated at full capacity, the machines can process 60–300 frames per hour, depending on the machine model and frame dimensions.

Despite the high capacity, all machine functions operate at a slow speed. The active belts that press the honeycombs move at only about 2 meters per minute. There are no points in the machine where brief contact could cause bodily harm. However, it is important to stress that hands or arms should never be inserted between the belts while the machine is running. In very unfortunate circumstances, the running belts could catch a hand and attempt to pull it through the machine.

It is not possible to reduce the size of the intake opening, as it must accommodate the width and height of the honeycomb frames. However, since the machine does not include any sharp blades or cutting components, the risk of severe injury or loss of body parts is considered very low. While severe pinching injuries or broken bones cannot be completely ruled out, they are considered unlikely.

At the rear of the machine, there is a spring-loaded pressure plate that creates a narrow gap above the top belt. This could potentially trap fingers. To mitigate this risk, a guard is installed to reduce the opening so that even a single finger cannot be inserted.

It must always be emphasized that the machine should be operated in accordance with the official user manual.

Conclusion

The machines are generally assessed to be safely designed, so that users cannot be injured during proper and intended use.

However, it must be emphasized that these machines are only intended for pressing honeycombs from domestic bee colonies, and that operation is restricted to individuals over the age of 18 who:

• Understand the use of electrically powered machinery

• Have thoroughly familiarized themselves with the machine’s user manual.