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and equipped with guide devices to ensure efficient synchronization. A self-contained system was selected to provide the necessary auto lubrication for the transmission, together with the inbuilt capacity for 1 year’s supply of the lubricant.


structure,


In designing the mechanical the


important criteria is


to ensure structural rigidity of the machine, and of particular importance is the attention to ensuring the critical deflection of the bearing support is addressed.


The complete machine


utilizes a multi beam structure, and the safety and service access requirements add further complexity to achieving the objective. The control system is equipped for manual or auto operation and utilizes a digital inverter, for precise velocity and acceleration control.


As well as the


standard control features, the system is also equipped with some additional facilities, to add further process security, recognizing that the tank when full is carrying 20 tons of slurry. These features include bearing


temperature and transmission lubrication monitoring, and additionally the machines are equipped with slurry


28 ❘ January 2018 ®


tank alarm systems, so that in the event of tank stoppage for any reason, the management system is immediately alerted.


After construction, the machines


have undergone a battery of performance testing, and the engineering team are delighted with the results achieved. Pre-install


engineering testing


includes filling with water and additives, and although the weights are below the end use weights, the data obtained is validated through correlating to the available data gained from the standard size machines both under similar test conditions and in end use conditions. The machines are remarkably quiet


in operation, and bearing temperatures of less than 10ºC above ambient confirm the correctness of the design.


The


mixing trials include the injection of emulsion color into the tank under normal operating conditions and Time to Opacity (TTO) of less than 50 seconds have been measured under test. Disassembly for transportation to


site was another important challenge for the engineering team,


The machines


are so large that part disassembly is necessary to load the machines on to the low loader transport trucks and


special licenses have to be obtained to move the machines on the public road network.


Lots of lessons have been learned, and a lot of technical data has been gathered by the engineering team that will feed into the design of further mid- size and large size slurry tank machines for the investment casting industry. Huge slurry tanks are just one element of huge shelling systems, and the technology challenges to accomplish all of the other process elements in the system were equally gigantic tasks for the VA Tech engineering team to set and achieve.


About VA Technology Ltd VA Technology Ltd is a leading supplier of shellroom systems and equipment and total foundry automation throughout the IC industry worldwide. With Innovative


Technology


dedicated to providing the best value solutions for the Investment Casting industry, the company puts product development and customer support as its core culture. VA Tech are located in USA, UK, Germany, and China.


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