Torque Limiter Solution Significantly Reduces Downtime Problems |
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Mach III Clutch Inc.
322 Elm St.
Ludlow, KY, 41016
USA
Press release date: June 11, 2007
Mach III was contacted by a power generation facility in which large, manually-operated control valves are utilized. The quarter-turn valves, located 16 feet in the air, are driven through right angle worm reducers. In as much as human beings are not equipped with torque sensors in their muscles, costly downtime failures were occurring when workers applied excess force to the worm reducer via the chain wheel. The result: broken gears. A single gear replacement can exceed $2,000.00 in parts and labor costs.
Working closely with the facility's engineer, Mach III designed a special keyless friction torque limiter, analogous to the gas screw cap on your automobile, to connect the chain wheel to the reducer shaft. In addition to designing and manufacturing the torque limiter, Mach III also provided the customer with a mounting diagram, including suggested dimensions for machining their existing chain wheel to accept the new device. Although Mach III offers the service of machining existing mating components, in this case, the customer's shop was comfortable with the task. The torque limiter was successfully installed and adjusted to a setting that would slip to protect the worm reducer when the worker applied force on the chain.
Those accustomed to working with other clutch suppliers might assume that only an application promising a considerable production quantity would merit this level of attention. But this customer needed only three torque limiters, and invested approximately $1,000.00. To understand Mach III's enthusiasm for addressing these types of very specific solutions, one need only to hear the report from the customer: "The new system worked perfectly. We are continuing to work with Mach III on adapting other valve systems throughout the facility."
Mach III Clutch, Inc., for over 60 years, has designed and manufactured a wide array of standard and custom designed clutches, brakes, and torque limiters. The Company is headquartered in Ludlow, KY, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio.
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