Geared motor keeps its cool on conveyors

A Sumitomo Drive Technologies product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 9, 2003

Hirata Corp of Europe has adopted the latest Neo Hyponic geared motor after experiencing overheating problems on both the motor exterior and lubricant from an alternative supplier.

Hirata Corp of Europe has adopted the latest Neo Hyponic geared motor after experiencing overheating problems on both the motor exterior and lubricant from an alternative supplier.

Hirata had already used Sumitomo's product ranges, including the Neo Hyponic, Drive 6000 and Drive 5000 (ideal for conveying solutions), but had previously chosen an alternative geared motor supplier on one particular conveying project.

On review it became apparent that the original helical worm geared motor unit was only able to produce approximately 70-80% of the output torque available from Sumitomo's Neo Hyponic unit, due to the superior efficiency of the internal gearing within the Hyponic unit.

By replacing the helical worm unit with the Neo Hyponic geared motor of the same power and ratio, Hirata was able to eliminate the high temperatures previously experienced in the motor and the reducer lubricant.

By choosing the Neo Hyponic drive, Hirata obtained a compact low-noise low-maintenance flexible mounting geared motor unit.

The Neo Hyponic offers a wide range of ratios from 5 to 1440:1 with high efficiency on all output speeds.

Hirata's Sales Manager Martin Ford says of Sumitomo: "Hirata has had a long standing co-operation with Sumitomo for the supply of geared motors.

We find their quality, reliability and service exceptional.

Other suppliers where unable to offer the same sized motor with necessary output torque but Sumitomo's Neo Hyponic geared motor meets these requirements and offer greater efficiency.

We are more than satisfied that we made the right choice in choosing Sumitomo geared motors".

Based at a new purpose-built European manufacturing plant, Hirata produces total systems for a wide range of white and brown goods including high-volume television and refrigerator assembly lines, in addition to automotive assembly systems.

Crucially, at the heart of all these systems lies the modular belt conveyor.

This conveyor was developed to achieve maximum productivity levels and continuous operation.

The conveyor itself is supplied in a modular form of up to four units per section, each with individual control through an inverter and local controller.

This allows for ease accessibility to the finished line at any time in the future by adding or removing modules or sections.

The conveyors are designed to operate at speeds of up to 74m/min and stop with an accuracy of 1 to 1.5mm, allowing the belt conveyor to be integrated within the automated assembly lines.

The benefits of the modular belt conveyor system over more conventional methods include: minimal transfer time between stations; low operational noise; minimal maintenance requirements; reduced shock on stopping; increased efficiency levels; and reduced vibrations.

The Neo Hyponic product as standard offers the following features: maintenance free for life; compact design and light weight; and durability and robustness - due to the heat treatment of gearing.

In additional Sumitomo offers these geared motors with the following options: motors to IP56 - 'temporary flood proof', suitable for use in high-powered hose applications; motors to IP65 - for protection against the ingress of dust particles; and Harting connectors for ease of installation.