"Spot-on" delivery helps nurture growth

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 28, 2004

When manufacturing companies set up they require component suppliers that can provide products suited to their specific needs, at a price that enables them to be competitive and an ensured supply.

When manufacturing companies set up they require component suppliers that can provide products suited to their specific needs, at a price that enables them to be competitive and an ensured supply.

Certainly these were the demands made by Wadkin UltraCare of Leicester, manufacturer of machines for the woodworking industry when the company started trading in 2000.

Wadkin UltraCare was set up following the closure of Wadkin Ltd.

Like the original company, it manufactures and refurbishes moulders, classical and blade grinding machines.

Determined to avoid the errors of the past, the new company sought suppliers that could meet its criteria.

Operating, initially, on a smaller scale than its predecessor, Wadkin UltraCare found that some previous suppliers wanted to change terms and increase prices.

So the company started to look elsewhere.

One particular success was in sourcing AC induction motors when it turned to AEG Electric Motors of Crewe.

UltraCare found that AEG could satisfy all the company's motor requirements, including low-torque brake motors that comply with the woodworking industry's PUWER 98 and ACoP safety standards.

AEG is also able to supply custom engineered motors with extended shafts and modified housings for blade grinders, and special low-centre motors with a fixing arrangement that permits the motor to pivot according to the required cut pattern.

"AEG gave us the support we needed at a critical time", said Terry Sutton, Logistics Manager for UltraCare.

"They could supply a selection of motors to meet our specific engineering, performance and safety needs, at a competitive price, and provide a delivery service that is 'spot on'".

"The last point is important to us because it means we do not have to carry much stock, easing our finances".

"I think AEG has contributed to our growth since start-up and continue to do so as we prepare to move into our new 52,000ft2 factory later this year".

AEG Series AMS brake motors are ideal for UltraCare's requirements because in addition to meeting the PUWER and ACoP safe stopping times (within 10s sudden stops would cause machine damage and potentially result in hazardous conditions) the motors are interchangeable with the previous motors used, avoiding any redesign.

The AEG motors are actually only marginally longer than standard units, because the company manufactures its own DC brake components ensuring optimum motor/brake interface.

AMS motors are available in power ratings up to 15kW and frame sizes from 63 to 132.

(AEG also offers low and high torque brake motors with outputs up to 200kW out of 315 frame machines).

Specially engineered AEG STL motors, with a squared-off stator housing, are employed on UltraCare's grinding machines.

This configuration permits the laterally moving arbour to travel along the length of the motor during the blade grinding operation.

For a cross-cut saw, UltraCare uses the low-centre motor.

This motor has the triple benefits of permitting the motor shaft to be positioned closer to the cutting operation for more precise cutting, requires a comparatively smaller space envelope than a conventional AC motor (produces more power from a smaller frame size - 7.5kW from an 80 frame compared to the usual 132 frame), and the side slot mounting arrangement which permits the use of a pivoting fixing bracket.