Drive Lines Technologies Ltd, UK distributor of power transmissions solutions, were contacted by Autoclave & Industrial Controls Ltd (AIC) of Poole, when developing a ‘Hot Drape Former upgrade’ for a prestigious aerospace customer.
Hot Drape systems are used to form Composite Materials. They produce parts such as lightweight aircraft wings with precision. The new machine required the lifting of a 15 metre long lamp bank which pre-heats the Wing Former prior to entering the Hot Drape process.
For vertical guidance, combined bearings and compact flange plates were selected in order to withstand the large moment loads in both directions created by the cantilever design. For lifting, GROB’s MJ3 (25kN) travelling nut screw jack’s were chosen by Drive Lines in order to save space and provide ample drive and controlled positioning. For safety reasons a self-aligning flange nut, combined with a secondary safety nut and brake motor were selected. Connecting shafts, couplings and a distribution bevel gear box completed the Drive Lines supplied lifting system.
This is not the first time AIC have called on Drive Lines to provide the equipment for Hot Drape systems. ‘I came straight to Matt Jones when I knew we had a Hot Box to design. The installation lift mechanism works a treat, so smooth and it worked first time’ says Dunleigh Bowen, Senior Design Engineer at AIC.
AIC is a worldwide service provider for Advanced Handling and Process Engineering. The Hot Drape upgrade was designed and manufactured at AIC’s Poole facility and later installed and commissioned at the Avonmouth aerospace site.
Drive Lines Technologies Ltd supply a range of power transmissions to the UK market including screw jacks, gearboxes, linear motion, motors and control systems. 2012 sees the release of a host of new products including linear electric actuators and couplings. Other products include Habor Oil Coolers, Woerner Stops and Wandres Micro Cleaning equipment.
The Bedfordshire based company are UK agents for ZF, Graessner, Grob, LM76, USAutomation and distributors for many other products. Supplying a number of industries including manufacturers, design engineers, medical, academic & research and automotive sectors. View the website www.drivelines.co.uk for examples of applications and to view the product portfolio complete with 2D and 3D Models.
For further information:
Drive Lines Technologies Ltd: Visit www.drivelines.co.uk or contact Gina Hutchings, Marketing at gina@drivelines.co.uk or call 01234 360689.
