Drive Pedestal
The KWS drive pedestal is designed to protect the gear reducer and motor from heat and shock loads in a high temperature KWS screw conveyor, feeder or thermal processor. The gear reducer and motor can only withstand 210-degrees F of constant heat before failures begin to occur. The gear reducer and motor are located several feet away from the heat source with the KWS drive pedestal and operate at ambient temperature.
KWS thermal processors operate between 1 and 5-rpm for proper material retention causing the gear reducer to generate large amounts of torque. Many screw conveyor and feeder applications require low speed operation as well. A low-speed coupling directly connects the output shaft of the gear reducer to the input shaft of the conveyor, feeder or processor. Angular misalignment, vibration and shock loads are absorbed by the low-speed coupling prolonging the life of the gear reducer and motor. The KWS drive pedestal is a compact design that houses the motor, gear reducer, bearings, low-speed coupling, seals and shafts. All rotating parts are guarded with OSHA compliant guards.
Features
Wide Variety of Materials – The KWS drive pedestal is available in many different materials of construction. Standard industrial applications with operating temperatures below 700-degrees F are typically constructed from carbon steel. 304, 316, Inconel, or duplex stainless steels are available for high temperature, corrosive, or food-grade applications.
Wide Variety of Seal and Bearing Options – The KWS drive pedestal is designed to accept flanged gland seals, split gland seals, air or nitrogen purged seals, food grade seals or mechanical seals depending on application requirements. Tapered or spherical roller pillow block bearings from nearly all manufacturers can be mounted on KWS drive pedestals for commonality of spare parts. Split housing pillow blocks are also available to minimize bearing maintenance and replacement.
Low Speed Coupling – The KWS drive pedestal utilizes low-speed flexible couplings to connect the gear reducer to the screw conveyor, feeder or thermal processor. Low-speed flexible couplings can withstand temperatures up to 210-degrees F, angular misalignment up to 4-degrees and parallel misalignment up to .012-inches.
Benefits
Protect Drive from Heat and Contamination – The KWS drive pedestal locates the motor and gear reducer away from the trough end and potential damage from either elevated material temperatures or abrasive or corrosive products.
Protect Drive from Shock and Vibration – The low-speed coupling absorbs any shock and vibrations from the conveyor, feeder or thermal processor, increasing the operating life of the motor and gear reducer.
Ease of Maintenance – The shaft seal, motor, gear reducer, low-speed coupling and pillow block bearings can be easily accessed for maintenance and replacement. The KWS drive pedestal allows for replacement of seal packing and bearing lubrication and inspection.
Drive In-Line with Screw – The motor and gear reducer are located in line with the conveyor, feeder or thermal processor. Inline helical gear reducers provide maximum torque output, lower cost, and a smaller footprint when compared to parallel shaft or right angle gear reducers. Since the gear reducer is directly coupled to the conveyor, feeder or thermal processor, there are no chain and sprocket drives to maintain and lubricate.
