Motor gearbox has more torque, less weight

With the available torque increased to 250Nm and output speeds from 0.4 to 71 rpm, the GWS is suited to a wide range of heavy duty applications for example in the materials handling and conveyor industries.

The weight of the GWS gearbox has been reduced by over 1.3Kg (approximately 3 lbs) by casting the body in aluminium rather than zinc.

The cost savings made using this new process have been passed on to the customer in the form of a price reduction.

All Parvalux GWS gearboxes are fully ball bearing supported and being lubricated for life, are maintenance free.

The steel spur gears are case hardened for long life and gearboxes can be run in any position.

Gearboxes can be customised in a number of ways to incorporate special shafts with threads, grooves, keyways or other adaptations.

The GWS series of gearboxes is just part of an extensive range of integrated motors and gearboxes from Parvalux.

The full range comprises over 166 basic motor frames rated from 3.7 watts to 600 watts with speed options from 18,000 rpm to 1 revolution per day.

Gearbox options include single and double reduction worm and wheel, and worm and spur.

Powerful right angle gearboxes give a speed range of 0.5 to 970 rpm and torque up to 250Nm.

This huge range of options provides over 100 million possible combinations.

More information on the extensive range of Parvalux products can be found in the company's 117 page catalogue which is available as a CD

Extra-large gearbox handles heavy-duty servos

A new, extra-large servo-gearbox for heavy-duty applications has been launched in the UK by Motor Technology of Stockport. The new Dynabox XL, from Girard Transmissions, delivers up to 8000Nm of torque with backlash as low as 0.5arc-min and with ratios of up to 90:1. It is the newest addition to the existing range of Dynabox servo gearboxes which are all maintenance free with a right-angled, space-saving configuration.

Like the other gearboxes in the range, the Dynabox XL has two levels of precision to suit different applications.

The first is "medium precision", where backlash is fixed at 5arc-min; the second is "expert precision", where the backlash is adjustable to less than 0.5arc-min.

The new gearbox can accommodate input speeds from 4000rev/min (continuous) to 6000rev/min (peak), and can handle axial and radial loading of over 70,000N.

It is available in three frame sizes (125, 160 and 200mm) and is supplied with a choice of either a hollow or solid input shaft.

As an alternative to a complete gearbox there is a worm-and-wheel gear-set available known as Dynaset XL.

Novel gearbox installed in Brixham boat

Newage Transmissions' first production StepDrive unit - an automatic two-speed marine gearbox that dramatically improves the performance of boats equipped with Volvo Penta diesel engines - has been installed in a 25ft Lema Clon motor boat based at Brixham. The installation marks the new gearbox's successful completion of exhaustive rig testing and sea trials designed to simulate many years of normal pleasure craft operation. StepDrive units are self-contained gearboxes that can be retrofitted to Volvo Duoprop 290 drive legs.

They are installed entirely within the centre section of the Duoprop unit and are ideal for use with turbocharged engines such as Volvo Penta AD31 and 41 series; as well as supercharged units up to the KAD44.

In operation, StepDrive gearboxes automatically change from low to high ratio at a predetermined engine speed.

This is optimised during installation to the individual boat and engine combination.

When the boat decelerates again, low gear is engaged as the engine speed falls below 1500rev/min.

Installed on the Lema Clon with a 150hp AD31 engine and DP-E driveleg, the Newage StepDrive unit has fully justified its makers claims that it typically increases boat performance by 25%.

"In timed test runs, some vessels have achieved massive 40% improvements in 0-20 knot times", reports Newage's Marine Sales Manager, Jamie Pratt.

"However, by providing an additional reduction ratio of around 25%, StepDrive units not only boost overall performance, but provide the benefits of reduced creep speed, emissions and noise when manoeuvring in busy marinas or restricted waterways".

"In some cases, they will also enable the original propellers to be replaced; so that the vessel's improved handling and fuel economy characteristics can be combined with an even higher top speed".

StepDrive installations will normally be completed in a day, with further in-water commissioning required to set the optimum gear change point.

All units carry a two-year warranty and are available nation-wide through the following six regional installations centres: DB Marine of Cookham, BA Peters in Chichester, Maldon-based Volspec, Marine Engineering Looe of East Looe, Southampton-based RK Marine, and Abersoch Land and Sea in Pwllheli.

PRM marine gearbox range on show in Southampton

Four models from Newage Transmissions well-known PRM marine gearbox range will form the centrepiece of the company's presentation on Stand 84 at the Seawork Marine Equipment Show in Southampton between 19-21st June 2001. Developed specifically to meet the needs of commercial fishing vessel and work boat users, the PRM 500, 750, 1000 and 1500 models on show provide the ideal choice for a wide variety of applications with engines rated at up to 500 hp. All PRM gearboxes feature a dual countershaft design that enables full input power to be transmitted in both ahead or astern.

As a result, units are equally suitable for left or right hand propeller rotations - as well as multiple engine installations.

They also carry Lloyd's approved commercial ratings and are backed by a full two year warranty and the company's world-wide dealer and customer support network.

In addition, PRM marine gearboxes are offered with a comprehensive range of ancillary equipment, including trolling valves and clutched or direct-drive power take-offs.

"Our transmissions' in-service reliability, durability and low maintenance have helped to establish them as the units of choice for the majority of Britain's leisure boat owners," reports Newage's Marine Sales Manager, Ian Oliver.

Rigid axle units aimed at 3 and 5 tonne vehicles

A re-developed range of heavy duty rigid axle units for off-highway and construction site vehicle applications has been announced by Coventry-based mechanical driveline equipment specialist, Newage Transmissions Ltd. The first two models in the series, the 215 and 415, are nominally designed for 3 and 5 tonne vehicle types. Each unit features double reduction gearing, with a 14.8:1 drive ratio as standard.

In addition, all axles in the new range will be available with integral transfer gearboxes for hydrostatic drives - providing overall reduction ratios of: 22.64, 26.10 and 31.52:1.

According to Newage's Technical Director, Clive Rayner: "These two new units are the forerunners of our next generation of versatile, high efficiency driveline equipment.

They are designed on a modular basis to ensure maximum commonality of parts.

This, in turn, means reduced development and manufacturing costs, as well as even better availability of units and spares."

"We believe that by extending the new range to suit vehicles up to 10 tonnes, we shall have products ideally suited to a much wider range of construction site and off-highway applications," he added.

Both new models incorporate integrated oil-immersed disc brakes and transmit drive to the wheels via inboard planetary reduction units and fully floating half shafts.

Offered with three wheel track widths, 215 and 415 series axles are rated at maximum loads of 3200kg and 5200kg and provide nominal output torques at their two wheels of 6,460Nm and 13,222Nm respectively, based on the standard reduction ratio of 14.8:1.

Both new units are available with an optional handbrake and can be supplied with a comprehensive range of input flange and wheel mounting configurations.

With a precision engineering pedigree spanning more than 70 years, Coventry-based Newage Transmissions Ltd is one of the UK's leading designers and manufacturers of high efficiency mechanical drive-line equipment.

The company's products - which are backed by certification to BSI standards - encompass heavy duty gearboxes, axles and transfer boxes for off-road dumper vehicles, as well as its world-renowned PRM marine gearbox range.

Newage also supplies finished products for a wide variety of new generation, special purpose vehicles in addition to sub-contract services for leading manufacturing organisations, including AGCO Massey Ferguson, Case and Lansing Linde.

Marine coupling shows its flexibility

Centa Transmissions had to overcome a significant gearbox location problem when it was asked to substantially reduce noise and vibration from the transmission of "Sea Shepherd".
Yorkshire-based flexible coupling manufacturer Centa Transmissions had to overcome a significant gearbox location problem when it was asked to substantially reduce noise and vibration from the transmission of "Sea Shepherd", the new 15.25m pilot launch for the Aberdeen Harbour Board. Propulsion on the vessel is by twin resiliently mounted Scania DI12 41M engines developing 265 kW at 1880rev/min, driving close coupled twin disc MG 5019SC gearboxes having a 2.45:1 reduction ratio, PTO clutch and hydraulic pump. Centa's solution considered the Centaflex AGM coupling design, but designers came up against a general problem with most marine gearboxes, in that when the gearbox was originally designed, no thought was given to the use of flexible couplings and the oil pump was positioned very close to the output flange.

On the gearbox in question, the output flange is 7.25in diameter and only a coupling of maximum diameter 7.5in would fit without fouling the oil pump.

A 4in spacer would have been required to clear the pump and in addition a manually clutched PTO and hydraulic pump required an even longer spacer at 500mm.

A spacer of this length plus the Centaflex AGM coupling would have been too long for the installation and would have upset the flexible mounting arrangement, so a composite universal joint and Centaflex Series A Cardan shaft was developed.

To achieve the required noise and vibration insulation level, a flexible element providing a long articulation length allows significant engine movement to reduce noise and vibration, without the need for additional spacers.

Dennis Davidson, of Murray Cormack Associates, who designed the vessel said: "Centa's coupling design achieved a very low noise level throughout the boat".

Centa manufactures a wide range of flexible couplings and driveshafts with torque capacities up to 1MNm, covering every application from canal and riverboats to workboats and larger sea-going vessels.

High precision worm gearbox selection is faster

An on-line tool that enables users to quickly select, configure and order products from a range of high precision worm gearboxes is the latest addition to a recently updated website.
The 'Fast Developer', an on-line tool that enables users to quickly select, configure and order products from Gudel's range of high precision worm gearboxes is the latest addition to the company's recently updated website: www.gudel.com. The new tool guides users logically through a maximum of seven steps on the way to fully specifying units from the company's standard and high performance worm gearbox ranges. Available in six sizes, each with a choice of 8 reduction ratios, Gudel standard worm gearboxes are supplied with coupling options to meet the widest variety of application requirements.

The range includes NA and FA series units with solid output shafts, and NH and FH variants with hollow output shafts.

All models incorporate bronze worm gears with hardened and ground worms - for high performance and long service life - and are supplied with a backlash of between 15 and 18 minutes of arc.

The gearboxes' die cast aluminium housings also provide excellent heat dissipation properties and are machined on all faces for maximum mounting flexibility.

Gudel's AE series high performance servo worm units have been designed to deliver maximum efficiency and in-service reliability.

They are available in 6 model sizes, with a choice of 10 reduction ratios from 2:1 to 24:1.

Their compact design also features eccentric flanges and hollow output shafts to enable worm and wheel backlash to be adjusted quickly and effectively between 3 and 6 arc minutes.

In addition, their purpose-designed input clutch and output shaft disc plate couplings minimise torsion and backlash, for optimum performance.

Alongside the simple-to-use 'Fast Developer' tool, Gudel's revamped website offers instant access to the company's complete range of linear and drive components, work handling modules, robot positioning units and automation systems.

It also provides detailed product selection information at the click of a button, as well as DXF, IGES and STEP CAD data component model downloads, ready for immediate inclusion in engineers' own product designs and assemblies.

Gudel's new 3D download facility is backed by a comprehensive applications engineering service and the company's customer support helpline, enabling users to quickly identify and specify the most appropriate product for their automation or precision work handling needs.

All Gudel equipment is manufactured in-house to ISO9001 quality standards, with most items available ex-stock from the company's UK headquarters in Coventry.

* About Gudel UK - Gudel UK provides a comprehensive range of automation systems integration services based on the company's high precision work handling solutions for components weighing from a few grams to several tonnes.

Systems are typically used for high volume throughput, assembly or manufacturing applications - in particular within the automotive, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals machine tool, aerospace, defence, electronics and process sectors.