Grinding castings for agricultural and construction equipment at the Case IH Foundry plant (CIHFP) in Racine, Wis., creates gray-iron waste fragments that must be collected and removed from machining areas to eliminate scrap build-up that interferes with efficient finishing operations. Also, minute airborne iron particles get into way sleeves and bearing compartments of machine tools, including the company's axle-housing grinder. To prevent this from happening, the company relies on an internal conveying system from Vibro.
The Model 850 air-operated transporter removes/transports scrap away from the machine along a product tray, or chute, fitted to it. The system's pneumatic cylinder operates on low air pressure to remove trays back and forth at high speed, causing material to steadily and quietly advance in one direction. On the slow-accelerated forward stroke, material transports forward. During the rapid return stroke, it remains stationary, which ensures constant movement in one direction.
"The Model 850 works 8 hr/day, five days/week during production," explains Russ Milner, a journeyman millwright at CIHFP. "Even in this abrasive environment, the system has operated without fail for seven years."
Weighing 47 lb, the Model 850 moves more than 500 lb of load and 100 lb of tray weight with 3.4-cfm air consumption (certified at half that of other models). Users can also mount multiple trays to one unit to replace several conventional belt conveyors. The system sports variable-speed control from 15 to 40 ft/min.
According to Guy Korponai, manager of maintenance at CIHFP, Vibro transporters run on air pressure alone, which costs less to generate as compared with other operating sources. In addition, he says the units run quietly.
Vibro Industries
Port Royal, Pa.
vibroindustries.com