⎪ Products and industry news ⎪
Torque limiting solutions for drive equipment
BMG’s Power Transmission division has extended its range of Rexnord products to in- clude Rexnord’s
in industries that depend on continuous operation. Unlike conventional mechanical shear pins or friction devices, the Autogard system delivers optimal performance and repeatable accuracy with minimal mainte- nance requirements. “BMG technical experts can specify torque-limiting solutions matched precisely to heavy-load operating conditions, through sizing, alignment and commissioning assis- tance. The team also provides a dependable back-up support service via the company’s extensive branch network.” “Rexnord Autogard torque limiters protect drive systems by mechanically disconnecting the drive when the preset torque limit is reached. Once the overload condition clears, the unit resets automati- cally, allowing operation to resume without manual intervention. These robust devices prevent mechanical damage to motors, gearboxes and couplings and reduce un- planned downtime in continuous process environments.” The Autogard range covers torque capacities from approximately 3.0 Nm to 45 000 Nm, allowing selection for light, medium and heavy-duty applications, including conveyors, mixers, crushers and
process machinery. These torque limiters have a mecha- nism that provides precise, repeatable disengagement and consistent performance over many cycles. Units can be installed in standard shaft and coupling configurations and are suitable for both new assemblies and retrofit projects. BMG’s Regal Rexnord power transmis- sion components also include industrial gear units, low-speed backstops, idlers, couplings, bearings and shaft locking as- semblies. Other important components include Falk True-Hold low-speed backstops and Rexnord Omega and Viva elastomeric couplings. As the official Rexnord partner in Southern Africa, BMG offers compre- hensive technical support - from product selection and sizing, to installation, com- missioning and after-sales service. This partnership combines Rexnord’s advanced products with BMG’s technical expertise and a wide branch network, en- suring that customers in diverse industries benefit from reliable system protection, optimised uptime and lower total cost of ownership. www.bmgworld.net maintaining greased steel bearings, as well as the unavoidable failures of these bear- ings, which would have previously caused several failures per lift per year. “The igus polymer bearings have oper- ated without lubrication or adjustment and without any sign of wear severe enough to warrant replacement. The scissor lifts themselves have also run trouble-free, re- inforcing the success of the bearing choice and overall design. “Our customers’ own maintenance teams have confirmed that there has never been a problem with the bushes, nor anything with the scissor lifts. “This kind of long-term reliability in a demanding environment has had a direct impact on our design philosophy. Today, all new scissor lifts as well as numerous other loading and lifting solutions produced by the company are standardised on igus polymer plain bearings and bushings,” says Ricardo. By partnering with igus and applying the correct polymer materials at every pivot point, the company has created some of the most reliable heavy-duty scissor lifts in South Africa, capable of operating in the harshest industrial environments. https://revdesign.co.za/
Autogard torque limiters. These devices have been designed to protect ma- chinery, enhance reliability and mi- nimise downtime in demanding industrial
BMG’s Power Transmission division’s Rexnord’s Autogard torque limiters protect machinery, enhance reliability and minimise downtime in demanding industrial environments.
environments.
“In local industries – in- cluding wineries and brew- eries, mining, cement, sugar milling and bulk materials handling – where conveyor blockages, crusher jams and process surges are common,
torque limiters play an important role in pro- tecting high-value equipment,” states Carlo Beukes, Business Unit Manager, BMG’s Power Transmission division. “Rexnord Autogard torque limiters efficiently protect drive equipment against overload, thus pre- venting damage and minimising downtime
Polymer bearings contribute to heavy lifting success
operation for its customers. A good example is the design and con- struction of three massive scissor lifts destined for the timber industry several years ago. Each capable of handling up to 40 tonnes per lift, the lifts were engineered for harsh, high-dust sawmilling environments where the equipment is pushed hard, and uptime is critical. It was during this period that founder and chief designer Ricardo Viljoen made a key engineering decision to move away from greased steel bearings and fully adopt igus high-performance polymer bearings across the key pivot points of the new lifts. According to Ricardo, the switch has exceeded expectations. The original scissor lifts have now been in operation for around five years, and the service history is striking. The machines were designed to be serviced quarterly, with an annual inspection recom- mended. In practice, REV has been called back only twice in five years: once for light annual service and once for a general in- spection. Since that time, not a single bush or bearing has failed. This small move away from conventional design has saved the customer many hours and costs associated with servicing and
Leading dock-levelling and materials-han- dling specialist REV Designs & Installations has steadily grown into one of South Africa’s most innovative engineering firms in the lifting-equipment sector. Based in Springs, the company designs and manufactures a wide range of loading, docking and lifting equipment, including some of the most significant scissor lifts ever produced in the country. A key fac- tor in the business's success is the careful design and specification of materials and components, which enhance its equipment’s performance and result in trouble-free REV Designs and Installations founder and chief designer Ricardo Viljoen, and igus polymer bearing specialist Juan-Eric Davidtz at the company’s Brakpan manufacturing plant.
36 ¦ MechChem Africa • January-February 2025
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