Coupling range provides improved solution

A change of coupling has significantly reduced costs and provided greater manufacturing flexibility for the Visionvent from Glazing Vision.

In the first generation of its Visionvent roofing system, Glazing Vision chose Huco's Oldham coupling to accommodate the misalignment between motor and shaft in the product's opening mechanism.

However, the early success of Visionvent led to the introduction of more sizes and soon Glazing Vision found that the larger versions were exceeding the Oldham's maximum torque rating by roughly 30%.

Additionally, Glazing Vision's bid to reduce the number of components in its Visionvent mounting plate, led to a revised design that integrated the motor mounting bracket into the actual base plate.

As this gave the bracket some "spring", there was no longer a constant and evenly distributed pressure on the Oldham's torque disc.

Once under load, there were instances of disc slippage.

As Huco now manufactures and stocks the largest variety of precision couplers in Europe, this Hertford-based company was charged with the responsibility of recommending a suitable alternative.

The result was the introduction of Huco's MEK two-piece jaw coupler, a move that has significantly reduced costs and provided greater manufacturing flexibility.

Starting life as a company offering glazing refurbishment services to the facilities management sector, Glazing Vision established an offshoot operation specialising in opening rooflights that is now the UK market leader.

Introduced in January 2003, Visionvent is one of a new range of standard products designed to complement the activities of the bespoke rooflight division.

Visionvent was developed to eliminate architecturally ugly framework and exposed operating devices.

It effectively increases the clear view area by over 20% by accommodating the framework outside the internal sight lines.

The DC motor driven opening mechanism, of which the MEK coupler is now part, is concealed within the jambs.

The standard-sized, replacement coupler is slightly longer than the Oldham but this was accommodated by modification to the drive mechanism; the MEK is 25mm in diameter and 31mm long.

The cost of this extra design work was easily offset against the potential cost savings.

As Glazing Vision's Technical Designer John Boyce confirms:, "The MEK is a far more cost-effective option for us whilst giving us the mechanical properties we need".

As with the Oldham, the MEK cannot be used on the grub screw alone; it is pinned in place.

A further benefit afforded by the MEK is that it can be machined in-house.

"This gives us the option to use this standard component in any special project", Boyce concludes.

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