Safe load manipulation for newbuild and refurb operations

The Brixworth Engineering Co Ltd are justifiably proud that their first load manipulator (the Benco engine stand), designed and manufactured over 40 years ago, which is still giving sterling service. From that initial concept, the company have refined and developed products now capable of efficiently, effectively and safely handling unit loads of up to 20 tons.

These products combine ease of operation with complete safety of load manipulation, while providing maximum access to supported workpieces for production assembly projects as well as general service and repair operations. The original engine stand was easily adapted to accommodate other power train products including gearboxes and transmissions, and over time has also been successfully used for other industrial workpieces including aero wing assemblies, excavator buckets, oil exploration drill bits, precious metal ingot moulds, sailing craft, pre-fabricated buildings and many other applications too diverse to list in full.

The two most popular Benco stands currently available are the model 950 and 976. These are claimed to save up to 50% man hours by eliminating non-productive handling procedures, while complying with all current working practice and safety regulations to minimise the dangers of personal injuries resulting from man-handling heavy unit loads. Over 5000 of the Benco engine stands have been manufactured for use in over 20 countries throughout the industrialised world.

The popular Benco engine stand is capable of handling unit loads of up to 20 tons.

The 950 model is suitable for loads up to 760kg, with the 976 accommodating weights of 1520kg maximum. Floor mounted and mobile versions of both models can be supplied, with detachable pull tugs enabling fully loaded mobile stands to be easily moved between workstations.

The stands are supplied complete with purpose designed adaptor plates to ensure that workpieces are well-balanced and positively bolted (or clamped) when fixed to the stand support spindle. Stands with adjustable spindle heights, providing increased swing diameter clearance for bulkier loads can also be supplied. In all cases a light hand pressure is all that is required to achieve load rotation. A full 360° movement is possible, with a 40:1or 80:1 ratio worm drive (on the 950 and 976 models respectively), ensuring that speed of rotational movement is always fully controlled.

Powered load movement (electric/pneumatic/hydraulic) can be provided, including variable speed spindle height adjustment, together with positional locking of loads when workpieces have reached the most convenient height or degree of rotation for optimum working conditions. Purpose designed stands for oversized, awkwardly shaped or heavy workpieces up to 20 tons can also be manufactured to order.

For further information, e-mail: sales@benco.co.uk or view website: www.benco.co.uk    Refer to page 75

Big Bertha, the new fastener and dedicated catchplate
is Protex Fasteners' highest performance latch to date

Redditch-based Protex Fasteners Ltd, manufacturer of the world's largest stock range of over-centre catches, has introduced the 490-9000 MSZN, its highest performance latch to date.

Codenamed 'Big Bertha', the new fastener and dedicated catchplate (Part No: 04-9000 MSZN) have been developed to meet the types of super heavy duty application found in earthmoving, mining equipment, aggregate conveyors, agricultural plant, freight and off-highway vehicles.

The zinc plated, mild steel latch assembly achieves an Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of 7500 kgf and provides up to 30 mm grip range adjustment. At maximum capacity, it measures 85 mm wide, 40 mm high and 392 mm long, including catchplate. A sealing facility is also incorporated in the catchplate as standard, to provide additional security.

According to Protex's systems and development manager, Adrian Symons: "Big Bertha has been developed to meet customer requirements for reliable fastening under the most demanding operating conditions, including extremely high dynamic and vibrational loads. It perfectly complements our existing fasteners for light, medium and heavy duty applications. But with around three times the ultimate tensile strength of our largest 40, 41 43, and 44 series catches, the new 490-9000 MSZN extends our products' capabilities into a completely new area of high strength fastening requirements."

Protex Fasteners Ltd in profile
Based in Redditch, Worcestershire, Protex Fasteners Ltd designs and manufactures the world's largest stock range of over-centre type fasteners.

More than 550 quick-action variants are produced in both stainless and mild steel, for applications in sectors as diverse as: civil engineering, aerospace, defence, agricultural equipment, process industries, enclosures, lifeboat and safety equipment, marine products and motor sports.

For further informnation, e-mail: sales@protex.com or view website: www.protex.com

A production process for automotive gears, using
DSM Engineering Plastics Stanyl PA46 annealing technology

Bauser, an injection molding company specialized in precision parts located in Wehingen, Germany, has successfully introduced a production process for automotive gears, using DSM Engineering Plastics Stanyl PA46 annealing technology. The company was the first plastic gear supplier in Germany to jointly commercially introduce the technology, almost 2 years ago.

Annealing is a high temperature after-treatment of an injection molded part, during which significant morphological changes occur. Stanyl is annealed when heat treated above its glass transition temperature [Tg80°C], but below its melting temperature [Tm295°C], preferably at temperatures around 220°C for 2 - 4 hours.

Hans Wennekes, Business Development Manager Stanyl, explains: "After annealing, the parts generally have up to 35% higher mechanical properties above Tg, as well as increased wear and creep performance. A positive side effect is the reduction of moisture uptake by 35%."

The effects obtained through annealing are irreversible. At the indicated annealing temperatures (>210°C), a nitrogen atmosphere is recommended to avoid any thermal oxidation of the material. The process is especially applied when aspects like performance, durability and safety has to be boosted.

According to Bauser's CEO, Michael Bauser, the process provides a cost-effective solution, especially for niche applications: "This secondary operation increases the performance of actuators significantly and gives the developer the freedom to use standard technology without applying exotic materials or totally new designs."

Key applications for annealed Stanyl gears are those with high demands on load or safety performance and where polyacetal cannot be used. These include wiper systems, sliding doors, roof systems using worm gear actuators. In non-automotive, the process can be used for general applications such as sliding, folding and roll-up door openers.

Refer to the picture above: Bauser, an injection moulding company specialised in precision parts located in Wehingen, Germany, has successfully introduced a production process for automotive gears, using DSM Engineering Plastics Stanyl PA46 annealing technology.

Bauser is a main partner in a new extensive Gear Research Program (Project Lead DSM EP) with a focus on innovative steel replacement solutions applied in future under the hood applications, details will be enclosed in the upcoming years.

For further information, view website: www.dsm.com or e-mail: sandra.coolen@dsm.com    Refer to page 30

Two projects in Romania for Autotech

Luton-based Autotech Controls Limited has secured a prestigious order to supply the control and electrical solution for a brand-new paint shop for Ford Motor Company in Romania. Autotech's proven track record in delivering large installation projects overseas was instrumental in winning the contract from Dürr Limited, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive production facilities.

Explains Andrew Robinson, Managing Director for Autotech, "Dürr has selected us to provide the electrical installation services for all the material handling equipment being installed in the new paint shop at Ford's plant in Craiova. The system includes 3.5 kilometres of handling equipment, which will need to be brought on stream within a very challenging timeframe."

The first vehicle - a Transit Connect van - rolled off the production line at the new Craiova factory in September 2009. Ford has since confirmed that it will also build a new, small vehicle as well as an advanced, eco-friendly petrol engine at Craiova in the near future. Once fully operational, Craiova will employ approximately 7,000 people and have a production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines a year.

Coca-Cola Hellenic's automated system now on stream
The automated handling system at Coca-Cola Hellenic's bottling and distribution facility in Ploiesti, Romania, has gone live following a very rapid installation and commissioning period.

Autotech was commissioned by the project's main contractor, Logistex, to provide the conveyor and crane control systems for the facility and has worked closely with Logistex for the past year to ensure that the project's tight deadlines were met.
The project includes what is believed to be the first high-bay, clad-rack warehouse system in Romania - reaching up to a height of 27m - and the handling equipment includes 11 cranes, shuttle cars, elevators and 2km of conveyors, some of which have been installed at a height of 3.5 metres above the floor to maximise the use of available space.

For further information, e-mail: andrew.robinson@autotech.co.uk