SGL Carbon recently worked with Wheelabrator PLUS+ to decrease cycle times and reduce maintenance costs and maintenance downtimes.

As a global manufacturer of products made of carbon, graphite and composite materials for industrial and aerospace applications, SGL Carbon operates two Wheelabrator® roll cleaning machines one shift per day. The Wheelabrator PLUS + solution was to install seven EZEFIT™ wheels on the two roll cleaning machines. The new wheels clean more efficiently and allowed SGL to speed up the production line because they can now turn more parts through the machines. As an added bonus, the new direct drive wheels eliminate the safety concerns of guards being left off of belt driven wheels -- safety guards are not required with the direct drive design of the EZEFIT™ wheel.


Tim Daniels, Sales Representative for Wheelabrator, states, "We showed SGL Carbon our new EZEFIT wheel and after seeing it they were confident the switch would provide them the results they were looking for. The wheels have helped to save on maintenance time, as well as parts consumption."

SGL Carbon Maintenance Coordinator Butch Williams comments, "We have had the wheels in production for more than five months and are very impressed with the performance." He continues, "With our old wheels we had to keep $10,000 in inventory parts on hand for repairs. With the new wheels, we just perform routine maintenance."

"In fact we are so happy with the wheels and the performance of the machines, that we have asked Wheelabrator to quote on a third machine for our facility," states Max Friedman, SGL Carbon facility plant buyer.

Roll cleaning machines clean large diameter round stock ranging from eight to 24 inches in diameter. Stock is placed in the cabinet on the rolls, which turn while the product is being blasted. The machines at SGL Carbon reclaim the media. Richard Ives, Plant Engineering Manager with SGL, states, We are happy to report that we have not seen an increase in media usage due to the new wheels. We are very happy with the elimination of overhead and the fact that they are almost totally maintenance free."

Wheelabrator

Ideal for a variety of measuring applications, the easy-to-use Hilti PD 40 and 42 Laser Range Meters provide accurate, reliable measurements at the press of a button. The first laser range meters available with a pinpoint accuracy of +/-1/25 inch, the PD 40 and 42 can measure distances from two inches up to 650 feet. Working from a single location, the meters enable one person to take highly accurate measurements -- even in hard-to-reach areas. The laser range meters also simplify the measurement of areas and volumes, including at longer distances or in vertical applications. The PD 40 and 42 can add and subtract distances, as well as areas and volumes.

Hilti, Inc.

The no-acid Evapo-Rust rust remover works without scrubbing and simply soaks out rust. It has no solvents, no acids, no poisons, no VOCs, no HAPs, and is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and safe on hands and all ferrous metals. Applications include: auto and parts restoration, steel fabrication, equipment and machine refurbishing, motor rebuilders, and metal recycling.

Rust Stop Canada

The new timing belt design ATS15, bridges the gap (regarding the tooth pitch) between AT10 and AT20 timing belt pitches. The ATS15 is a suitable selection for power transmission and linear drive applications that require high tensile strength and high belt flexibility including a reduced polygon effect. The timing belts are available in 25/32/50/75/ 100 and 150mm belt width and come in open-ended (M) 50m or 100 m rolls, welded (V) or in truly endless (BFX) technology. The tension members are available in steel or stainless steel.

BRECOflex CO., L.L.C.

ACR's Nautilus data loggers are single channel, waterproof temperature data loggers that can monitor temperature in a variety of applications, but they are particularly well suited for the food and beverage, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and industries with hostile or "wet" environments. Designed for rugged applications, the loggers are available in stainless steel or aluminum. They can hold over 500 days of data and feature data compression capability. These loggers are suitable for monitoring temperature in any type of water.

Alpha Controls & Instrumentation

The Dickson TH800 Temperature and Humidity Chart Recorders are suitable for industrial processors troubleshooting hot spots and other problematic variations in temperature and humidity conditions. Battery-operated and cord-free the chart recorders are easily moved from place to place during short-term site monitoring and testing.

Dickson Company

To clean up large areas of floor space, the HIS-MFSM24R 24" rectangular sweeper on wheels with a 6 lb capacity has a handle waist level lever to release its magnetic hold. For cleaning tables or to get into tight areas, the lightweight magnetic bar has a lift capacity of 14 lbs and a quick release device to avoid having to use your hands. A magnetic rake with telescoping handle is also available.

Hudson Supplies Inc.

The roll adjuster facilitates the alignment of rollers, shafts and web-handling systems. Typical applications include paper mills, converting lines, printing presses, plastic bag lines, and other roller and web-related applications. The roll adjuster is easy to set up and is simply placed onto the top of a master roller, drive shaft, or idler and is held in place by a pair of V-legs or adaptable mounts. A fine adjustment screw is turned until the precision bubble level is centered in its glass vial. The digital micrometer is then zeroed by pressing a small button on the front to capture the digital position of this first roll or shaft. The roll adjuster is then placed on top of the next available roller and the fine adjustment screw turned until the bubble level is centered. The vertical alignment of this second roller is shown digitally, either in inches or millimeters, allowing for better adjustment or selection of new shims.

Pinpoint Laser Systems

The Fluke Ti5x thermal imagers feature 320 x 240 detectors for high resolution and high quality images. In addition, with a 60 Hz detector acquisition rate temperatures are displayed live on the large 5-inch colour display. Typical applications include: predictive maintenance - identify electrical and mechanical problems before they cause failure.

ITM Instruments Inc.

The RTR-5 family of wireless data loggers can be used to monitor temperature, humidity, voltage, pulses, on/off cycles, etc. The units are suitable for use in wet, freezing or high humidity environments. The Handheld Portable Data Collector features real time monitoring with audible alarms, the ability to download logged data from the loggers and view the results with graphical displays. In addition, the data can be downloaded via USB connection to a PC. The Network Connected Data Collector with LAN Interface using wireless 802.11b option. The built-in web server allows viewing through a web browser. Additional features include real time monitoring and auto-downloading of logger data.

TandD Corporation

Molykote® L-0501 High Performance Lubricant is a multi-purpose penetrating oil formulated to loosen rusted parts, stop squeaks, and provide corrosion resistance and long-term lubrication. It is designed for a variety of applications such as locks, hinges, cranks, sliding doors, tools, chains, cables, switch linkages, knuckles, pins and pivots. L-0501 is available in liquid and aerosol formulations featuring a no-clog spray. In addition to corrosion protection, it contains an anti-wear additive for long-term lubrication.

Dow Corning

Hannay's heavy-duty C series reels are designed for the storage of all types of electrical cable ensuring protection of high-voltage cable. The C series has a 4 1/2" x 9" opening in the drum that permits the end of the cable to be inserted to initiate winding. The C series is available in either a gear-driven crank rewind model or chain and sprocket driven powered by an electric, compressed air, or hydraulic motor. Optional features include divider discs, rollers, etc.

Hannay Reels

The AEGIS SGR™ Conductive MicroFiber™ Shaft Grounding Ring is suitable for predictive and preventive maintenance programs on VFD-controlled AC motors and large DC motors. By protecting bearings from electrical damage, the SGR extends motor life, preventing bearing noise, downtime, and costly motor repairs/replacements. The SGR's conductive microfibers work with virtually no friction or wear; are unaffected by dirt, grease, or other contaminants and last for the life of the motor, regardless of RPM. A handy mounting kit simplifies installation of the SGR on any NEMA or IEC motor and provides clearance for motors with shaft shoulders, slingers, bearing caps or end-bell protrusions.

Electro Static Technology

The Lenox Fiberscope (flexible boroscope) is designed to tackle tough inspection problems in highly accessible and inhospitable places. It is ideal for inspection of engines, equipment, tubing, pipes, castings and other hard-to-access cavities. The scope allows for high-resolution inspection to identify flaws as minute as .001-inch. For efficient viewing inside complex assemblies, Lenox flexible fiberscopes feature a tight bending radius and a totally steerable 2- or 4-way articulated tip that allows easy manipulation around corners, through pipe bends and part blockages.

Lenox Instrument Company, Inc.

Newly-developed sealed bearing cartridges offer maintenance-free alternative to conventional greased bronze, hardened steel and rolling-element bearings in demanding applications. Because they are self-lubricating, the sealed bearing cartridges eliminate the need for continuous maintenance, automated greasing systems and environmentally harmful lubricants. The bearing cartridges are environmentally stable and provide corrosion resistance. Integral lip seals exclude contaminants from the bearings, and a zinc-plated steel outer shell protects the compressive loads.

GGB

The 1B 15/80 Dry Ice Blaster uses compressed air to propel tiny dry ice pellets at supersonic speeds so they flash freeze and then lift grime, paint, rust, reins, mould, asphalt and other contaminants from a broad range of surfaces. The pellets quickly dissipate into the air so there's no messy wastewater, solvents, sand or other media to dispose of, only the soiled contaminant that is easily swept up or vacuumed. This highly effective and mess-free method for in-place cleaning eliminates the need to disassemble or move machinery before it is cleaned.

Karcher Industrial Products

A new, easy-to-read digital control panel has been added to the UAS/Kleentek line of electrostatic oil cleaning systems. This new feature allows an operator to monitor the operation of the system and effectively troubleshoot oil filtration problems. The system works electrostatically to draw contaminants of all particle sizes out of hydraulic oil. The control panel features a text display that shows key operating conditions like motor amperage and oil dwell time. The new panel also notifies the operator of an error by displaying the cause of the error in text, rather than numeric code, and activating a flashing alarm.

United Air Specialists

The various Sentry® collision protection products are designed to withstand different wear and collision challenges in typical facility designs. Rack Sentry® - flexible attachments to rack uprights that make less effective rigid rack attachments obsolete. Corner Sentry™ -- highly absorbent corner protectors that minimize the impact of vehicle collisions. Concrete Wrap™ -- high tech foam cushions that strap on to protect pillars and posts; Column Sentry® -- high performance column protectors.

Sentry Products

With advanced features for installing and troubleshooting industrial network buses and electrical industrial machinery, the Fluke ScopeMeter 125 is designed to be an integrated all-purpose tool for service, maintenance and installation engineers. The unit integrates oscilloscope, true-RMS digital multimeter and dual-input 'paperless' recorder in one instrument. The instruments are 600 V CAT III safety certified for machinery, instrumentation, control and power systems. In addition to the bus health test, the Fluke 125 also takes voltage measurements of motor drive output, has 0.01 ohm resolution on the 50 ohms range for testing motor windings, and is capable of measuring power and harmonics over a wide frequency range. User-named data setups make for easy use.

Fluke Electronics Canada

The Oil Eater cleaner/degreaser is a high-powered water-based cleaner made from a unique mixture of non-ionic surfactants, emulsifiers, water softeners and other biogradable ingredients. This concentrated cleaner can be diluted up to 25:1. The low-voc cleaner is non-corrosive, non-toxic and non-flammable. Its cuts through grease, oil, carbon, sludge and dirt, encapsulating them into a solution that rinses off easily and leaves no residues.

Kafko International Ltd.

Rust Bomb is a gel that specifically targets rust with its unique non-hazardous formula. It is designed to kill rust, but will not harm aluminum, copper, brass, rubber, plastic or vinyl. It pulls the rust right off the metal and leaves the metal like new. The gel is an all natural rust remover designed to aid in rust removal on vertical surfaces and areas or parts too large to soak. It employs a combination of modified chelators and rust inhibitors to attack the rust where it lives.

Orison Marketing

The ThermaCAM® P640 thermal imaging camera is ideal for professional thermographers, infra-red consultants and anyone needing to view small or distant targets with better thermal image detail and temperature measurement accuracy. The new high definition 640 x 480 detector in the P640 delivers 307, 200 pixels which allows the user to see much more image detail to help truly pinpoint or diagnose the nature of a problem. Complete new interchangeable lenses have been developed that further enhance the camera's ability to capture distant targets in high detail or view close up targets with a wide field of view. The new camera also includes an interchangeable 1.3 megapixel visual camera, a large, swivel-mount, 5.6" colour LCD, tilt-able viewfinder and a 3 hour battery, all in a lightweight magnesium package.

FLIR Systems, Inc.

The Rousseau Vinyl Identification Decal allows you to see at a glance which tools are missing and allow for fast tool retrieval. Available in rolls 2'w x 8' long, the vinyl decal is easy to cut-out, apply and reposition as needed. Simple and effective, the decal saves time by keeping track of valuable tools and allowing staff to find tools quickly and easily.

Rousseau Metal Inc.

The 0370-20 Close Quarter Angle Drill is designed to offer the performance of a standard 3/8" drill in a compact, ergonomic package, suitable for maneuvering around awkward angles and hard-to-reach areas. Featuring a 3.5 amp motor and a metal framed gear train, it provides a more stable gear mechanism for longer life. An angled chuck and small, compact shape offers added convenience when working in close quarters. With a large paddle trigger and textured palm grip, the drill is balanced, comfortable and easy to use in multiple positions. Additional features include a chuck shield to prevent damage to the surface and an angled cord exit to keep the cord out of the way and untangled while working.

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Canadian Industrial Equipment News September 2007

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