Air conveying system reduces friction
Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 10/2/2002
When flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills added a new vinyl floor covering to its line, the company ran into production troubles. During a test, the company realized that the existing production table could not handle the new product.
The final production stage requires the completed, printed linoleum to be pulled down a 100-foot long by 12-foot wide stainless steel topped table for inspection.
However, when the product was dragged down the table, the co-efficient of friction between the underside of the flooring and the table surface was excessive. As a result, the five horsepower motor drive on the take-up rolls was increased to 10 then 15 then 25 horsepower. But at 25 horsepower, the flooring began to tear and would not readily move down the table to the re-wind station.
Fortunately, the company was able to turn the production table into an air conveying system, greatly reducing friction. The air conveying system utilizes a seven horsepower blower and the take-up rolls use a three horsepower re-wind motor. The flooring now floats almost without friction along the tabletop and the plant uses less than half the power it had consumed before.
For more information...
Glasgow Products, Inc.
516-561-8890
www.glasgow.thomasregister.com
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