Issue link: http://metalfinishing.epubxp.com/i/49721
fixed drive gear engagement (Figure 9). This eliminates ratcheting associated with designs using adjustable gear mesh. It also reduces wear and tear on motors, drives, and associated components by eliminating superstructure rock common to multi-point set-down designs. Delicate parts suffer from one-process-fits-all rotation management. Recipe-driven control of barrel rotation and/or oscillation with a PC/HMI enables gentler treatment of sensitive parts (Figure 10). If new barrels and superstructures are part of a customer upgrade plan, the single-point set-down design and individual barrel control is a welcome improvement when integrated along with new drives and saddles. 9) Hoist-mounted barrel drives engage in the up position, allowing barrel rotation during the process cycle (Figure 11). Programmable speed and duration dramatically reduce drag-out induced carry over by draining work directly over the process tank. This feature is especially important for parts known to cup solution. PC/HMI controlled up rotation combined with rinse water management reduces water consumption, waste treatment, and chemistry usage. Up-barrel rotation is mandatory for critical resource reduction needed in today's highly competitive finishing environment. 10) Hoist and motion control upgrades such as high efficiency VFD controlled Energy Star-rated Eurodrive motor/drive combinations for electrical energy savings. Smooth-operating, corrosion-proof belt lift conversions replace older wound wire cables. This dramatically extends hoist lift maintenance intervals. Full-length, non-contact absolute linear encoders allow faster hoist operation with smoother motion profiles eliminating rack or barrel shake (Figure 12). Together they improve machine productivity and operator safety. Finally, extremely durable overhead cat-track wire ways eliminate the more sensitive exposed festooning umbilical cables. Multiple hoist improvements reduce energy consumption and create faster, smoother motions, thereby reducing wear and improving safety for finishing systems. CONCLUSION If your company is capital constrained for any reason, the best option to remain competitive is to improve existing equipment incrementally until the economy supports a new machine purchase. Clearly, there are many options available for older finishing systems. Whether load/unload equipment, new con- trols, or hoist automation, Jessup offers productivity improvements priced to fit any budget. REFERENCES 1.Jessup Engineering formed in 1971 to manufacture automated hoist systems for the metal finishing industry. Over the past 39 years, customer demand drove Jessup to become a turnkey finishing system provider, delivering hoist automation, system components, and peripheral accessories. With more than 630 systems incorporating 1,250 hoists and countless conversions installed, the Jessup team has 590