POST
Plastics Company Gearbox and Roll Application Upgrade
An Indiana Plastics Company used a single chain, with a multiple sprocket setup to control their process equipment. They wanted to upgrade their systems to modern equipment and have the ability to vary the line speed. The customer decided to use (1) motor/gearbox and VFD per roll to allow for independent control. Horner was able to provide Sumitomo motor/ gearboxes and Horner Machining Service designed and machined a new drive shaft and coupling for each roll. These 8’ long 20” diameter rolls are water cooled so Machining Services had to figure out how to allow water to flow through the drive shaft and coupling and into the roll. Darrell Cothron and JR Huston both tackled how to take a concept on paper and make everything work without leaking. After the customer reviewed the prototype a few adjustments were made and Machining Services was able to make (6) drive shafts and couplings. This was the first phase of the project and expect to receive more rolls in the future. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!


Other Posts
Chiller 1000HP Soft Starter
An ethanol facility that processes corn into fuel recently upgraded a critical chiller application with the installation of a 1000 HP, 4160V Benshaw medium-voltage soft starter. What began as a transformer repair discussion ultimately evolved into a full system improvement [...]
Combine Vibration Troubleshooting
Horner Field Service was recently asked to troubleshoot a vibration issue with a combine. The call came in to Ralph Coonce on a Thursday afternoon. It didn’t take long for Ralph to determine that he was going to send me. [...]
Rubber Plant Motor Failure
A 400HP WEG motor on the hydraulic power unit of a plant’s main mixer failed due to a catastrophic drive-end (DE) bearing issue. The bearing failure generated sparks and halted the production of raw rubber critical for automotive products. With [...]





