Proper Coupling Conveys" a Smooth Ride

Whether Rough and Tumble or Heavy and Viscous, Steady it with Lovejoy

(PRWEB) November 27, 2003 --What does a gleaming asphalt driveway have in common with a delicate bouquet of flowers, or a steaming mug of cocoa? The industries that crush gravel and limestone, produce thousands of pounds of floral powder or process sugar or cocoa beans, all rely on conveyor belts to move the raw materials in an efficient manner, whether through the gravel pit, processing plant or even harvest area. Of all the components that can ensure smooth operations in a conveyor system, a small yet vital part - the coupling - is the key to providing a continuous, trouble-free ride for any commodity.

The Lovejoy®/Sier-Bath® FARR gear coupling is designed specifically for the rugged requirements of high horsepower underground and surface belt conveyors, sometimes referred to as alignment-free," which allows the gear drive to be mounted directly to the conveyor, eliminating the need for a foundation and a conventional low-speed shaft coupling.
The bolt-on design of the drive also lends itself to fast installations requiring no alignment. The low-speed shaft bolts directly onto the conveyor shaft by means of FARR coupling on the two shafts. Simple, piloted fits and bolt-on mounting connections eliminate the need for time-consuming alignment of both input and output shafts during installation and periodic maintenance - a profitable time-saver compared to conventional couplings. In addition, the Lovejoy®/Sier-Bath® FARR coupling eliminates shaft misalignment as a cause of failure and downtime. Even scheduled maintenance time and costs are reduced.

The improved reliability and reduced costs for heavy-duty conveyor systems helps maintain an effective system for moving high volumes of bulk materials in the mining, power generation, cement, bulk food processing and other industries.

Made from 4140 alloy steel, the coupling consists of a male and female piloted coupling assembled with Grade 8 bolts and Grade C" prevailing torque nuts. The 4140 alloy steel material provides the part with increased yield and tensile strength compared to conventional AISI /1045 material, commonly used in alternative gear coupling choices. Ten sizes of the Lovejoy®/Sier-Bath® gear coupling offer a broad ranging torque capacity, from 94,500 in-lbs to 7,700,000 in-lbs., in standardized designs. Lovejoy offers up to a 15 in design size. With this size range, smaller operations that move 500 to 1,000 pounds of media, such as a simple mixer drive in a baking operation, can benefit from this design, up to an aggregate operation moving tons of material every hour.

In another unique design move, the Lovejoy®/Sier-Bath® gear coupling provides a belt-and-suspenders provision in the form of a keeper plate, that is bolted on to the end of the shaft in the event the interference fit fails. This keeper plate holds the assembly together long enough to halt operations and prevent potentially critical damage. If the coupling were to fall off the head shaft of a pulley, you are going to have anywhere from 3,000 to 20,000 lbs. of motor/gearbox assembly material dump onto a worker or another piece of equipment," says Kevin Remack, Lovejoy product manager. Companies can safeguard their work force and protect their capital investments."

The Lovejoy®/Sier-Bath® gear coupling is just one of many engineered solutions for industrial maintenance and performance provided by Lovejoy, Inc., an emerging leader in the global power transmission market. Founded in 1900, Lovejoy enjoys an international reputation as the leading company specializing in flexible coupling design and development. Lovejoy products are available worldwide through distributors in North America and 45 other countries, supported by Lovejoy offices and support staff in Canada, Europe and the USA. Lovejoy, Inc., is certified under the ISO-9001 International Standards for Quality Management.

For more information, visit Lovejoys Web site at www.lovejoy-inc.com, or contact Lovejoy, Inc., corporate offices at 2655 Wisconsin Ave., Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA. Phone 630-852-0500; fax 630-852-2120; e-mail inquiries Info@lovejoy-inc.com.
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