Versatile drives fulfill crucial role

A manufacturer of massive steel columns for constructing offshore rigs and wind farms is using precision welding and positioning rigs developed by U.K. specialist Key Plant and employing advanced gear technology from Cone Drive. Key Plant supplied a 500,000 turnkey solution for the Dutch manufacturing giant SIF Group in Roermonde near Maastrich, Holland, designing, building and commissioning on site the various positioning and welding rigs used to manipulate columns which can weigh up to 450 tonnes each.

For the SIF project, the steel column sections were placed on rail-mounted carriages that move the sections together for welding, while rotators on the power carriages turn the sections in perfect synergy to enable traversing boom welders to complete the fabrication process. Cone Drive gear units fulfill crucial roles in carrying out various operations.

The key element in the versatility of the Series M, F & K ranges of inline, right-angle and shaft-mount geared motor units that are used is the unique Cone Drive motor connection, which offers the option of fitting any standard electric motor. The patented motor adapter system means the range accepts all sizes of standard NEMA and IEC flange-mounted electric motors without the need for expensive modifications or interface connectors.

Users can also fit standard motors in all types (AC, DC, single-phase, energy efficient, washdown, explosion-proof, etc.), without incurring the high costs traditionally associated with gearboxes designed to accept special motor flange and shaft interfaces.

Cone Drive