When informed of the problem, Ameridrives Power Transmission application engineers were brought in to develop an overload protection solution. An Americarden Model U3440 universal joint was modified to incorporate a shear pin overload device. When a rotor jam occurs, the pins shear while protecting the drive system from expensive damage and lost production.
After clearing the jam, a maintenance crew can replace the pins and have the shredder operational in about an hour (compared to the previously required 2 days of downtime). The initial cost of the overload device was more than covered in the savings of downtime during the first overload.
The success with the installation of the first modified U3440 unit lead to additional universal joint orders for use on shredders at the company’s other locations. These follow-on universal joints featured driven and driver hubs manufactured with Ameriloc shaft locking devices to secure adaptors to the shaft. The locking devices eliminate the need for a replacement hub when a motor is repaired or installed.
Ameridrives
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