Propshaft balancing becomes big business

A pilot order to refurbish balancing equipment for one of the UK's largest driveline components manufacturers has led to more than GBP 2 million worth of orders for Universal Balancing.

A pilot order to refurbish balancing equipment for one of the UK's largest driveline components manufacturers has led to more than GBP 2 million worth of orders for Universal Balancing to supply custom-designed multiplane balancers to vehicle propshaft producers worldwide.

Through the initial upgrade contract, Universal equipped an ageing two-plane balancing unit with the company's state-of-the-art measurement and control software, not only improving balancing accuracy but also substantially reducing cycle times.

The equipment's ongoing ability to support the production of 45 propshafts per hour on a three shift system, five days a week, quickly led to further equipment refurbishment contracts, followed by orders to supply a pair of two-plane balancers and a purpose-designed three-plane unit for balancing twin link propshafts.

Each of the new units features Universal Balancing's latest generation BTD-UNI44 control and instrumentation software.

Developed specifically for balancing complex components such as multi-element or semi rigid assemblies, this system features touch screen, Windows-based commands for ease of operation.

In parallel, it is both robust and easily configurable to individual application and user requirements.

Like the original re-manufactured machine, the latest balancers have been integrated into automated production cells.

In operation, they automatically accelerate the propshafts to a preset speed in order to calculate out-of-balance moments, along with the necessary compensation weights to be welded at each designated correction plane.

The operator only has to load the required weights into the weld heads and the machine automatically orientates the workpiece to the correct position for them to be secured in place.

Finally, the equipment undertakes a check run to confirm that the shaft has been balanced within required tolerances.

The in-service reliability and accuracy of the units, coupled with the establishment of Reco Unibal, Universal Balancing's American sales and service operation, has already enabled the Bristol-based company to secure orders to supply further propshaft balancers to US customers located as far afield as Detroit and South Carolina.

"But providing top quality products is simply not enough on its own to win new business in today's fiercely competitive automotive sector", says Universal Balancing's Managing Director, Steve Fowler.

"We believe that every installation must be backed by the highest levels of customer support if customers are going to maximise the return on their investment".

"The performance of our equipment and the breadth of our distribution and support channels have paved the way for discussions with leading propshaft suppliers around the world".

"I am therefore confident of building on our current success with further new orders to supply motor industry customers in Europe and a number of fast developing Asian economies in the near future".

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