Product category:
Internet and Electronic Resources for Engineers
News Release from: Eriks UK
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 15 March 2006
Drive designers can get help from web
site
On-line design service for engineers that frequently design belt-drive systems, allowing them to fine tune a design and check the theoretical performance before specifying components.
Optimising belt drive systems at the design stage can contribute to the operating life, reliability and overall efficiency of a belt drive system The Fenner Select on-line drive design assistant has been launched to provide engineers with a structured and detailed approach to do this and get the best from a belt drive from the design stage onwards
The on-line Fenner Select - Drive Design Assistant takes into account literally thousands of variables and applying proven formulas developed to optimise performance and longevity.
The free system is available on-line at www.fptgroup.com.
Users who register with the site can store previous calculations for later reference.
The design service is for engineers that frequently design belt-drive systems, allowing them to fine tune a design and check the theoretical performance before specifying components.
Designers and commissioning engineers with limited experience specifying belt drives can also use the software.
While savings from less frequent pulley and belt replacement are beneficial, arguably the most important issue is energy saving.
With the advent of higher energy costs and enhanced capital allowances, small percentage increases in efficiency can reduce long term energy usage and provide financial savings on fans, pumps and machines powered by belt drives.
These obvious targets tend to be run constantly and so provide the largest savings.
Belt drives are a prime example of an often-overlooked area where other gains in efficiency can either be wiped out or enhanced.
For example, the right specification for a belt drive system can deliver a similar gain in efficiency as upgrading to an EFF1 electric motor from an EFF2.
Site-wide, the difference can amount to many thousands of pounds each year in energy savings.
The speed ratio capability of a belt drive allows electric motors to drive machines with both operating at their near optimum (most efficient) speed.
Belt drives have low lifetime costs, are versatile and easy to maintain, but also contribute to energy savings if correctly designed and installed.
In this application, the Fenner Select functions let users design a drive from the start, make calculations, experiment with drive dimensions and enter end loads among other power, distance and speed variables.
Once a belt drive has been selected, the complete drive specification can be sent to the local Fenner authorised distributor for a quote via the same web site.
Product Manager for Fenner Open Drive products, Bryan Burton, said: "In creating this new web tool, we were determined to deliver more than just a simple selection table online; it includes all the formulas that have been perfected over the years and should provide an ongoing support tool for designers and application engineers".
"Maintenance engineers can also use the system to check the efficiency of existing drive systems and evaluate ratio adjustments to make sure that their plant is running as efficiently as possible".
"Support of this level should justify confidence in Fenner belt drives by adding to the local, industry specific knowledge provided by our distributors".
"We see it as an essential tool for all users of the products and something that sets us apart from many alternative suppliers who offer little more than the product itself, making it harder to choose the right product and apply it". Request free introductory details about products from Eriks UK ...
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