Roller Behaviour Under Test

faigle measures precise roll resistance

Roller behaviour under test

Faigle, the plastic roller specialist, has developed an innovative test bench to measure the resistance of rollers in sorting and warehouse logistics plants. For the first time, available data is used to calculate the energy requirement to operate the plant and overcome start-up resistance. The test bench is also an important element in developing an energy saving roller.

The faigle test bench measures the precise start-up and roll resistance. This is new and has never before been possible. The test can compare rollers of different hardness factors and composition and set parameters such as load, speed, acceleration and preload for conceivable value ranges in sorting plants.

Roll resistance is a major factor affecting the energy requirements of a plant. In the past, the energy requirement could only be measured in real sorting plants. Now the results of running tests allow the calculation of energy requirement without having to equip a complete sorting plant. The test bench simulates the actual conditions existing in the plant in order to measure roll resistance. For example, it can run at speeds of 0 – 5 m/s, apply test loads of up to 5000 N and even define a selectable start-up acceleration. The measurement and recording of resistance force to a measuring accuracy of approx. +/- 1 N is continuous so that even running-in effects can be tested over a period of time.

Start-up resistance is determined by dimensioning and/or the number of drive motors in a sorting plant and is measured by the test bench. This is an enormous advantage for design engineers since they can use this data to dimension the drive motors - as many as necessary to start up the plant reliably and as few as possible to reduce acquisition costs.

The background story is that contactless induction drive motors are frequently used in sorting plants. They have very low start-up forces and have a high acquisition price. When the force required to start up the plant is very high, more and more powerful drive motors need to be installed than are required for continuous operation. The phenomenon of flattening is also an important factor. The start-up resistance of a plastic roller is increased since a small flatness forms when the plant is at standstill for long periods of time. The flat spot returns to its normal shape after a few minutes in operation but it considerably raises the force needed to start up the plant.

The test bench can also simulate the flattening effect by pressing down the roller onto the substrate for a specific length of time, e.g. 24 hours, before conducting a resistance measurement. The plant is then run up to operating speed at a specific acceleration.

faigle has a declared aim of developing energy-efficient rollers with a minimum start-up and roll resistance. The test bench is an excellent tool to allow this.

The faigle Group employs 390 people and achieves a turnover of EUR 67 million per year. faigle has a reputation for innovative solutions in the field of technical thermoplastics and successfully combines the values of a traditional family firm with the innovative and expansive drive of a market leader for first-class plastic solutions in machinery and plant engineering, particularly in the sectors of escalators, conveying systems and railways.

The headquarters of the faigle Group are in Hard in Vorarlberg, Austria. In addition to two companies in Austria, faigle also has locations in China and Switzerland. The proportion of exports is 70 per cent, the main markets are Europe, Asia and the United States.

You will find photo material on the next few pages.

The new test bench from faigle allows the precise measurement of roll and start-up resistance.

faigle rollers have proven themselves a million times in packet and baggage sorting plants.

As owner with full rights to the images listed, we grant your magazine the rights of use as part of the present article. This also applies to variations of these photos in printable resolution as well as for use in print and online.

Contacts

yes or no Media GmbH faigle Kunststoffe GmbH

Claudia Wörner Manuela Boss-Herburger

Neue Weinsteige 47–49 Landstr. 31

D-70180 Stuttgart A-6971 Hard

Tel. +49 (0) 711/75 85 89 00 Tel. +43 (0) 5574/68 11-1605

Fax +49 (0) 711/75 85 89 11 Fax +43 (0) 5574/68 11-1809

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