Branch goes out on a limb for its client
11 March 2011
Branch Hydraulic Systems has designed and supplied two bespoke hydraulic drive systems for industrial mixer manufacturer, Winkworth. The specification for the first drive - powering a 450 litre twin-blade waste and recycling mixer/extruder - called for high power combined with high efficiency. Replacing an existing under-powered unit, the new Winkworth machine delivers a total power of 66kW through a combination of three 22kW motors to achieve a high throughput.
The mixer drive comprises a hydraulic power unit, incorporating Parker load-sensed, constant horsepower piston pumps with Sauer Danfoss proportional valves controlling both speed and torque, turning a twin blade mixer configuration via a Comer planetary gearbox supplied by Winkworth’s sister division, Tractec. The drive was assembled at Branch’s workshop, located at its parent company’s head office in Gloucester.
The second of the two drives for Winkworth’s MZ75 machine (illustrated) is a more compact, 11kW unit driving via a single Comer foot mounted planetary gearbox. Again, for optimum performance, the hydraulic power pack makes use of the Parker piston pump, in this case controlled by a Duplomatic proportional valve.
The MZ75 is capable of mixing and incorporating a variety of hazardous fluids and powders, including explosives and propellants.
Branch’s technical director Alex Tatlow believes this all demonstrates his company’s ability to respond efficiently to complex machine building projects, thanks in no small part to the support of a reliable network of suppliers and parent company divisions. “These drive systems show our capabilities as a group - designed by Branch Hydraulic Systems and manufactured using Tractec and Hydraulic Equipment Supermarket (HES) supplied components, by Branch and Group HES engineers and technicians,” he says.
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