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Changes bring about new product lines, enhanced solutions

13th October 2017

By: Nadine James

Features Deputy Editor

     

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Power transmission components supplier Altra Industrial Motion South Africa (SA) has undergone numerous changes in the past couple of years, incorporating new brands and aligning its product and service offering with that of its parent company of the same name, says Altra Industrial Motion SA GM Kevin Gill.

He explains that the benefit of these changes is that the company “will be able to offer clients better service and a larger range of Altra products from one source”. He adds that the changes are in line with what Altra Group is implementing worldwide – “consolidation and streamlining of plants and systems to offer the best service and products available to clients”.

Gill notes that the developments, which include a name change following last year’s merger of two South Africa-based Altra Industrial Motion branches – coupling supplier Bibby Turboflex and braking solutions company Svendborg Brakes.

“Altra Industrial Motion SA is making further changes to facilitate the incorporation of other Altra-owned brands supplied globally; these include the Stieber Clutch and Stromag range of products.”

He points out that the merger enhances the company’s ability to assist and service the local mining sector, as the new brands and products offer various combinations and solutions.

Gill notes that one of the more distinctive solutions supplied by the company comprises the installation of a braking system for a chairlift at a platinum mine near Thabazimbi, in Limpopo. Supplied in 2013, the braking solution is performing according to specifications.

He notes that the mine does daily, weekly, monthly and six-monthly checks as part of its maintenance programme. “As the original-equipment manufacturer, we schedule a yearly maintenance service with the mine to ensure that the system is still functioning to the correct standards.”

He adds that the system – if correctly maintained and operated – will last as long as the expected mine life.

The lift is driven by a 90 kW electric motor and uses a series of individual seats that are suspended from an overhead 26-mm- diameter cable. The cable lift system operates in a continuous loop to transport up to 900 mineworkers in and out of the mine, including a 35º inclined shaft passage, every hour.

The brakes, which act on a large-diameter disc positioned over the bullwheel that drives the primary lift cable, are meant to protect personnel and equipment during a power failure or in an emergency-stop situation.

Gill notes that Svendborg Brakes supplied Model BSFI 360 spring-applied, hydraulically released brakes, capable of providing 48 000 Nm braking torque, in line with the “challenging” application requirements.

“The biggest challenge that was faced was getting the drive units installed underground – as space is always an issue from a manoeuvrability perspective . . .”

A custom-designed Svendborg Brakes hydraulic power unit (HPU) was also supplied and features fail-safe two-stage controlled braking and a parking and/or service safety valve.

Gill explains that the HPU consists of a compact dual hydraulic block that operates two sets of brake calipers separately, with a 10 ℓ hydraulic oil tank and a range of operating voltages, as well as a motor, coils and a manual hand pump. He notes that these units can and have been used on hot metal cranes in the steel industry, where they control a set of operational and emergency brakes.

The two braking modes can be controlled on the HPU’s control panel or remotely through the main programmable logic controller. The HPUs were manufactured in-house and are equipped to monitor oil level and temperature, motor and pump function, and operational pressure.

Gill notes that Altra’s full scope included the supply of brake calipers, HPUs, brake pads, indication switches and hydraulic pipes.

The last chairlift was commissioned in 2014 and is being used daily as the main mode of transport to convey mineworkers in and out of the underground mine.

Gill concludes that the company has also been involved in a range of materials handling solutions, as well as milling and processing solutions, emphasising that the Altra Industrial Motion SA product offering is supported by “unparalleled aftermarket service”, which includes a repair facility to cater to customer requirements.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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