Product category:
Actuators, motion systems, etc
News Release from: HepcoMotion | Subject: Linear motion systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 July 2006
Linear motion systems run for 23 years
A service life in excess of ten years is pretty good for any wearing part, but at 23 years old, linear motion systems used in a pipecleaner making machine must be setting a record.
A service life in excess of ten years is pretty good for any wearing part but at 23 years old, four particular HepcoMotion DualVee linear motion systems must be setting a record "Almost all other wearing parts on our special purpose machines have been replaced at least once and some more often," commented Works Engineer, Steve Lunn at Hewitt and Booth
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Oct 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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In their drive to enhance quality and safety while keeping costs under close control, tier manufacturers to the automotive industry have to choose their own suppliers of linear motion systems wisely.
"But the HepcoMotion systems are still going strong." This Huddersfield-based company is a long established manufacturer of pipecleaners.
It began expanding its markets in the 1980s with the introduction of more colourful and thicker cleaners for craft and school use.
In the last ten years the medical sector has become a significant customer for its single-use apparatus cleaners.
Further reading
High load lifting units assembled to order
Winkel builds complete high load lifting units to meet customer's specific needs and Hepco is pleased to extend this service to UK companies.
Gradient grinder grooves marble easily
Until the introduction of the Gradient GrinderT, kitchen furniture manufacturers and stonemasons had little option but to create drainage holes in marble and granite worktops by hand.
Hewitt and Boothand continued success is borne out of this diversification and by its ability to provide consistently high quality product on minimum lead times.
The original pipecleaner cutting machine was designed by Hewitt and Booth in 1982 to meet its specific needs.
Four machines of this type were built in-house and are still fully occupied.
Each accommodates 25 bobbins of the manufactured product.
The ends from each of the bobbins are fed through the machine by hand and clamped in place onto the carriage mounted on the HepcoMotion DualVee linear slide system.
Since their installation, each machine has produced in the order of 34 million pipecleaners.
A motor drives a cam drum and this transports the carriage back and forward for a set distance.
Attached to the cam drum is a cutting mechanism that crops the pipecleaner to length.
The mass of the carriage is 5kg, the resisting force 40kp and maximum speed 0.325m/sec.
DualVee has been an important part of the HepcoMotion product programme for many years.
It is a proven, economical method of tailoring an accurate linear motion system to the exact needs of the application using single edge tracks and matching wheels.
DualVee components are available in a range of sizes to suit most applications with high temperature and vacuum/clean room options to complement existing stainless steel components.
To enhance the linear slide's ability to resist the dusty environment, the Hewitt and Booth DualVee systems were fitted with in-house manufactured cap wipers.
This option was not available when the components were bought in 1982 but is now offered on all HepcoMotion linear slide systems.
In addition to preventing the ingress of dirt the HepcoMotion cap wipers provide positive lubrication that increase load capacity fourfold and life by 25%. Request a free brochure from HepcoMotion ...
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