Geared motors from David Brown Engineering, a Textron Power Transmission company, are being employed in a major upgrade of the plant producing Hotpoint, Indesit, Cannon and Creda gas and electric cookers at Merloni Elettrodomestici UK in Stoke. Gravity rollers have been replaced by powered conveyors in the creation of 4 new production lines at the plant which produces more than 500,000 products a year at the rate of 2,500 per day. The new systems were designed and installed by Jackson Power, which worked closely with the engineering team at Merloni UK to provide a solution that would improve efficiency and enable greater use of automation.

The conveyors employ David Brown Series M and Series C in-line and right angle geared motors linked to Siemens inverters and plcs to precisely regulate the speeds of the production line according to which appliances are being manufactured.

The production and transfer lines run at between 0.6 metres and 1.3 metres per minute, carrying a range of gas and electric cookers for brands including Hotpoint, Indesit, Cannon and Creda.

The lines operate at two different heights depending on the products being manufactured, and the total number of lines in the plant has now been reduced from 28 down to 12.

The work was carried out as part of an investment to deliver 'best practice' improvements and boost production capacity for the plant serving UK and export markets.

Peter Jackson from Jackson Power says the new conveyors have substantially upgraded the production capability at the plant.

He explains: 'Using our knowledge and experience we were able to work with Merloni UK to produce a solution that was both cost effective and perfectly suitable for purpose, delivering the required result without over-engineering the system.' David Brown, a Textron Power Transmission company, has designed the Series M range of helical inline geared motors and reducers to provide versatile, cost effective and user-friendly drive solutions.

Series M can meet most requirements up to 90kW with maximum output torque capacity of 11,000Nm (97,350 lb-in).

12 unit sizes give a ratio coverage of 1.2:1 to 12,000:1 in single, double, triple and combined reduction formats, and innovative modular construction maximises product availability.

Series C right angle helical worm gearmotors and reducers offer high load carrying capacity, increased efficiency, quiet running and reliability to provide a highly efficient and compact solution to meet most requirements.

The range offers input power ratings up to 45kW and output torque up to 10,000Nm, with 8 sizes giving a gear ratios as high as 60,000:1.

Again all units are dimensionally interchangeable with major manufacturers and they offer the option of fitting double oil seals on input or output shafts as required.

A key element in the class-leading versatility of Series M and C units is the patented motor adapter system that enables the range to accept all sizes of standard NEMA and IEC flange mounted electric motors without the need for expensive modifications or interface connectors.