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Vibratory Conveyors for Foundry Applications
Case Studies

 | Case Studies

Case Study: Custom Designed Conveyor Drive

 by General Kinematics,

Challenge
A Southern US Steel Fabricator was in need of a low headroom conveyor to capture small scrap sections from their cutting tables. Existing hoppers and a short aisle for scrap collection did not allow for standard height vibratory conveyors. Belt conveyors were not permitted due to sharp steel sections.  When GKC offered to look at low headroom design, the customer became concerned about any type of conveyor drive that could be difficult to access. Furthermore, the opening through which the conveyor could be installed left no space for outboard machinery such as drive motors or gear boxes.
Approach
General Kinematics evaluated the customers requirements and developed a drive concept to fit the application. Using customer feedback to address issues in an orderly fashion, all points of concern were addressed with their engineering and production personnel.
Solution
Using CAD drawings of the customer facility, GKC Engineering developed a rectangular conveyor trough and platform overhead drive combination.  This allowed the conveyor body and base to be installed beneath the low hoppers, and then the stand alone drive assembly could be positioned and bolted to the trough.  Shipping the conveyor to the job site in two modular portions allowed for minimal field assembly time.

 

Results
Installation time was reduced from the original estimates.  Vibrating hoods and rubber seals eliminated floor spillage.  Manual floor cleaning is no longer required.  Inspection and lubrication of drive bearings is simple and fast.

About General Kinematics
General Kinematics Corporation, incorporated in 1960, was established to market, design, and custom fabricate innovative vibratory materials handling and processing equipment. Today the company is one of the world’s largest suppliers of vibratory processing equipment, holding more than 200 worldwide patents, and is acknowledged as a major contributor to the technical advancement of vibrating equipment design and application. Today, over 50,000 General Kinematics units have been installed in virtually all of the world’s industrialized countries. For more information about General Kinematics products and services, visit the company’s website at www.generalkinematics.com.
General Kinematics Corporation, incorporated in 1960, was established to market, design, and custom fabricate innovative vibratory equipment for the foundry, recycling, mining, and processing industries. Today the company continues as one of the world’s largest suppliers of vibratory processing equipment and has evolved into an industry-leading EPC firm. Headquartered in Crystal Lake, IL, General Kinematics has seven global locations providing engineering and support to a world-wide customer base. GK is a third generation, family-owned company and is ISO 9001 certified.