PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS BELTS, PULLEYS & CHAINS KEEPING ROLLER COASTERS CLIMBING
When it opened in 1991, the Ultimate roller coaster at Lightwater Valley in Yorkshire was, at 7,442ft, the longest in the world. Today, it is the second longest. This features two huge chain lift hills that take the coaster trains on a long climb to heights of 102 and then 107ft respectively. The original chain for the Ultimate’s two lift hills was designed and
manufactured by Renold. This operated trouble free until 2017 when, during scheduled maintenance, the chain on the smaller of the two lift hills was then replaced with Renold’s modern roller coaster chain. An order to manufacture a replacement for the chain on the larger of
the two lift hills was then won by Renold in January 2019. The new 559ft long, 6in pitch roller coaster chain, has a breaking load of 90Klb and the company’s special protective surface treatment. Alec Annand, Renold’s UK Chain Centre manager, said: “We’re delighted to have won this prestigious order to supply replacement chain to The
Ultimate coaster, and are delighted that our original chain provided over 27 years of trouble free service. This is due to the excellent maintenance regime at Lightwater Valley and the high quality of the chain we supplied.”
Renold Chain
FAST FILLING ENERGY CHAINS
Previously only available for special applications, the E2.1 energy chain range from igus has become the standard for small to medium sizes. The two-piece design offers fast
filling, opening from the side or top along the inner or outer radius using a chain opener or screwdriver. This also features a lens-shaped brake at the stop-dog of the chain links, ensuring quiet chain travel with low vibration and noise. In addition, the e-chain offers more space with the same outer height compared to the E2/000. To match the design of the interior of the chain, igus offers an interior separation range. The chain is suitable for use in
general engineering, woodworking and metalworking industries, and in machine tool construction.
igus
www.igus.co.uk/e2.1 www.renold.com DRAG CHAIN SOLUTIONS
In automotive manufacturing, drag chain systems for coolant filling systems have to transport
a variety of flexibles while being robust and very reliable. Meeting the requirements, ready-to-install TOTALTRAX complete systems from Kabelschlepp Metool have proven successful in the modern filling systems from Sat Sterling.
The systems consist of a base unit
which is responsible for temperature-dependent mixing of the coolant. This is then transported to the mobile unit, which follows the vehicle on the right or left of the assembly track and fills it with the corresponding fluids while moving. The mobile units usually move along gantry systems which
are mounted on the ceiling of the production line, at a height of up to 6m. Kabelschlepp’s drag chains supply the power. The drag chains also contain other cables and hoses for vacuum, compressed air, signal and coolant. These can transport up to five media at the same time. The drag chains are supplied by the company as ready-to-
install assemblies, including all cable, hoses and connectors. Kabelschlepp Metool Products
PROLONGING CHAIN LIFE
iwis antriebssysteme produces precision roller and conveyor chains for general machine engineering; plant engineering; the packaging, printing and food industries; and conveyor technology. The company has conducted intensive research into solutions that prolong chain service life, as well as developing its own range of lubricants. For a chain to have a long service life,
maintenance and lubrication intervals should be strictly adhered. Selecting the right (re)lubricant is important – inadequate lubrication and additional contamination can cause a reduction of chain performance to as little as 20% of its full potential. A suitable lubricant and the appropriate lubrication process ensures a measurable reduction of wear and additional corrosion protection. Information on the correct use of lubricants is
48 JUNE 2019 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
www.kabelschlepp.co.uk
CHAINS FOR FOOD INDUSTRY USE
During food manufacturing, manufacturers should have processes in place to prevent the incorporation of visible foreign bodies, as well as trace materials – such as the oil or grease used to lubricate the machinery. Lubricants that are not harmful when consumed by humans should be used. Manufacturers of lubrication make
special food grade products and there are laws and industry standards that manage their use. Essentially, there are three main categories: • H1 lubricants - May have incidental contact with the food being produced, so must not be harmful.
• H2 lubricants - Must not contact the food, so only for use in closed systems
• H3 soluble oils – Can be used to clean or protect equipment that contacts food, but must be washed off before the equipment is used. Buying-in and managing the use
of food grade lubricants is an expense and requires responsible oversight. Thus, managers in the food processing industry may be able to gain a competitive edge if they can drive efficiencies into these tasks, whilst maintaining suitable high standards. One proven way to do this is with
the use of drive or conveyor chain that is supplied with a food grade self-lubrication feature. Such a chain is designed to be permanently lubricated so that it does not need to be re-lubricated during its working life. The core concept of Tsubaki’s Lambda
available for download (
www.iwis.com/as- flyer/lubrication/iwis-lubrication-solutions.pdf). The company, however, also offers solutions
for applications that do not permit relubrication. The bushes of its maintenance-free JWIS MEGAlife chains are made from sintered material, so the lubricant is retained in the chain joint long-term. Chains stay dry on the outside, but the joint is always well lubricated. JWIS b.dry stainless steel chains require no lubricant.
iwis
www.iwis.com
lube-free chain is the use of an oil impregnated sintered bush. This is self-lubricating for the life of the chain. The chain is lubricated with NSF-H1 food grade lubricant impregnated into the bushes as standard, with H3 oil impregnation on request. The chain can also withstand moderate washdown routines, and operation in temperatures up to 150˚C, although higher temperature versions are available. Lambda also features a patented ring
coining production process applied to the connecting links, which increases the chain’s strength; easy assembly and rapid fitting; long life; no maintenance requirements; and clean running.
Tsubakimoto Europe
tsubaki.eu
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
