Customised process machinery demands customised belt drives

Citation

(2002), "Customised process machinery demands customised belt drives", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322cad.006

Customised process machinery demands customised belt drives

Keywords: Steel, Automation

Harro Hofliger, a leader in the field of process automation and packaging technology, incorporates steel belts supplied by Belt Technologies Europe into its battery laminating machines (see Plate 6). These are used throughout Europe by some of the leading laminators. The company also relies on Belt Technologies for belts which are used by world leading pharmaceutical products manufacturers within their packaging machines.

Battery laminating machines are custom built by Harro Hofliger to order. They have sourced steel belts from Belt Technologies for over three years with purchases increasing year on year. The success of the partnership has been based upon Belt's ability to supply customised steel belts at short notice, enabling Harro Hofliger to meet its tight delivery schedules.

Plate 6 Steel belts from Belt Technologies Europe are incorporated into customised packaging machinery

All the belts supplied are coated and non-stick, manufactured from a grade of Teflon. This specification is essential as the laminating process produces a sticky residue which could have a detrimental effect on the performance of any other type of drive system.

Steel belts, 300mm wide, are usually supplied, although there have been requirements for different dimensions. Other benefits of steel belts important to Harro Hofliger include the precision positioning that can be attained so that the batteries are in exactly the right place on the line to be laminated.

For pharmaceutical products packaging, Harro Hofliger can again provide customised machinery as well as replacement parts. Typically, precisely perforated belts are purchased from Belt Technologies. The shape, the angles of the perforations and the repeated pattern along the length of the belt provide the precision positioning required when pharmaceutical products are packaged at very high rates without operator interruption. Options such as different belt coatings and vacuum belts are also often specified.

Contact: Brian Harbison, Belt Technologies Europe, Suite 3L, Durham Mountjoy Research Centre, Stockton Road, Durham City DH1 3UR. Tel: +44 (0) 191 3831830; Fax: +44 (0) 191 383 1820.