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Internal drive efficiency & safety with external drive flexibility
Patent pending Cross Drive™, a new drive roller that combines the benefits of conventional drive methods for powering conveyor systems, was introduced by Van der Graff Inc., Brampton, Ontario at ProMat 2009, Chicago, IL, 2009.
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The cross drive’s gear assembly is housed within a sealed conveyor drive roller protected from the environment and is connected directly to an external motor eliminating the chain/sprocket or belt/pulley used in conventional systems. |
The unique cross drive technology implements the efficiency, space savings and safety benefits of internally powered conveyor drive rollers and combines it with conventional external drive design that allows for quicker and more economical conveyor moves or maintenance. The cross drive’s gear assembly is housed within a sealed conveyor drive roller protected from the environment and is connected directly to an external motor eliminating the chain/sprocket or belt/pulley used in conventional systems.
• Space savings: The compact, low profile cross drive, available in 6.5-inch and 8.5-inch diameters, requires less operating space than conventional in-line drives by eliminating speed/gear reducers, allowing systems designers the flexibility to use belt conveyors in more applications. Chain/sprocket or belt/pulley arrangements and their associated safety guards are also eliminated allowing end users to lower conveyor profiles and reduce conveyor line clearances. Also, a complete line of specialized sprockets, designed to drive an industry standard segmented conveyor belt, attached to the cross drive roller expands the application range.
• Energy efficient: The transfer of power from the motor’s drive shaft to the drive roller’s outer shell is 96-percent mechanically efficient through a precision cut, hardened steel gear assembly. Also, rotation of the motor’s shaft is parallel with the axis of rotation of the drive roller’s shell.
• Safe operation: No external moving parts eliminate the possibility of employee injury and/or product contamination. OSHA requires chain guards for conventional systems, but they are eliminated with the cross drive design. Eliminating the chain guards also eliminates components that require maintenance. Another safety concern is noise in the workplace. OSHA requires that employers provide protective noise abatement devices in areas that exceed set limits. The cross drive is internally driven, significantly reducing noise decibel levels.
• Maintenance free operation: Time consuming housekeeping, maintenance and repair is required to keep conventional systems lubricated, tensioned properly, clean and in good working order. These tasks, if neglected, eventually shorten the life of the drive system.
• Installation flexibility: The cost to retrofit a conveyor with cross drive technology is surprisingly low and cost effective. The cross drive roller easily slides into place and is secured with just four bolts, then the motor of choice is attached to the roller shaft with a standard coupler. If the motor fails a replacement can be installed quickly, significantly reducing the downtime needed by conventional external drive systems.
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