Motion Control & Drives


Safe handling in all sectors

August 2024 Motion Control & Drives

This initiative ensures that appropriate measures are taken to prevent roll back incidents, which might cause injury to workers during conveying operations. BMG technical experts advise on the selection of the correct cam clutch for each application, and assist with proper installation methods to ensure optimum performance and improved safety standards.

“Tsubaki backstops and cam clutches, which have been developed and manufactured in Japan for high efficiency and optimum safety in high- or low-speed applications, meet the requirements of current legislation,” explains business unit manager, Carlo Beukes. Local safety regulations require that the installation of incline conveyor belts must include the fitting and use of one or more devices to prevent run-back or run-on, to prevent injury by materials falling from a conveyor belt.

Tsubaki backstop cam clutches are designed to prevent reverse rotation of drive shafts, offering a simple and cost-effective means to protect capital equipment and enhance safety. Apart from the mining sector, BMG’s cam clutches are used for belt conveyors for materials handling, metals, timber, pulp and wood chip, and also for bucket elevators for cement and grain. These units are also installed to enhance performance of large drift conveyors and screw pumps.

Tsubaki cam clutches are available from BMG in different capacities and styles, and are designed to provide the best functional characteristics for three basic modes of operation – overrunning, indexing, and backstopping. The outer and inner races of these cam clutches are manufactured from high-quality alloy steel, with high surface hardness and core toughness, to withstand operation in arduous conditions. These races are precision ground, providing excellent concentricity and a special surface finish to obtain accurate cam rotation. Cams are manufactured from special selected high-alloy steel, with a hardness option up to 2500 Hv.

A key range in BMG’s portfolio of Tsubaki cam clutches is the BS-F series, which is suitable for high-speed inclined and long overland belt conveyors and bucket elevators used in the mining and bulk handling sectors. The high-torque, high-speed Tsubaki BS-F series, with a narrow width I-beam torque arm, is a drop-in replacement to conventional ‘roller ramp’ devices. This allows for quick and easy onsite installation and enables effortless replacement of an old backstop with the new BS-F design, without the need for modification to the existing layout. Although this series has a narrower width than other models, the downsized unit exceeds the requirements of high-speed inclined belt conveyors, with the benefits of space saving and reduced installation time.

Important features of this series include a non-rollover cam and roller design, which offers higher backstop torque capacities and lower running temperatures than conventional anti-rollback devices. Added to this, a flexible labyrinth seal mechanism prevents the ingress of dust and water in abrasive conditions, and a double-lip oil seal with multi-temperature grease, enables safe operation at a wide ambient temperature range from -55 to 150°C.

A common cause of conventional backstop failure is oil leakage. Tsubaki has eliminated this risk in the BSF series by designing the backstop to operate with grease and a specially designed labyrinth seal. The absence of an oil level gauge creates a more reliable safety device. For extended service life, correct lubrication methods and dust prevention care are critical. BMG recommends the use of a maintenance kit and Tsubaki-approved EP-free grease for easy and effective maintenance of the BSF series. The BS-Grease is available from any BMG branch.

The cam and roller cage orbit at low speed, continually conveying grease internally from the bottom to the top of the mechanism. The constant circulation of grease minimises internal friction, and reduces operating temperature for dependable operation. Maintenance intervals are between 7500 and 8000 hours, and the effective service life of the units is also significantly extended, compared with conventional oil-filled units.

For extended service life, correct lubrication methods and dust prevention care are critical. BMG recommends the use of a maintenance kit and Tsubaki-approved EP-free grease for easy and effective maintenance of the BSF series.

BMG has made a substantial investment in local Tsubaki backstops to ensure speedy delivery. This is a major advantage, as the current industry norm is up to 24 weeks delivery. The complete range of Tsubaki power transmission components is available from BMG’s national branch network, which offers a technical advisory and 24-hour backup service.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Smarter motor technology for high-performance industrial automation
Adroit Technologies Motion Control & Drives
Adroit Technologies is bringing Mitsubishi Electric’s EM-A series permanent magnet motors to Africa, offering servo-like speed and position control at a lower cost by combining patented sensorless control with the FR-E800 inverter to eliminate encoders while achieving IE5 efficiency.

Read more...
A smarter approach to simplifying motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
n motion system design, the wiring and drive placement between motor and drive are often decided by default, yet they shape a machine’s cost, footprint and adaptability. Kollmorgen sets out how single-cable and decentralised architectures simplify the cabinet.

Read more...
Robotic case packer achieves 99% uptime
Rockwell Automation Motion Control & Drives
DCC Automation designed a new robotic case packer for a nutrition supplement manufacturer using delta robots and a unified Rockwell Automation control platform, cutting changeover time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and achieving 99 to 99,5% uptime against the previous 10% per-shift downtime.

Read more...
Electrically operated, energy-efficient double diaphragm pumps
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Pneumatics & Hydraulics
BMG has introduced the EVO series 210 electric double diaphragm pump range from ARO, offering lower energy consumption and quieter operation than air-operated alternatives, with access from one side for both diaphragms, and optional electronic leak detection for critical applications.

Read more...
igus puts 3D-printed wear materials to the test
igus Motion Control & Drives
A new igus white paper compares its tribological iglidur 3D-printing materials directly with conventional POM, reporting lower wear, more stable friction and up to ten times longer service life in gear testing for customised, low-volume and replacement components.

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE’s expanded local engineering capability
SEW-EURODRIVE Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE demonstrated how its expanded local engineering capability, digital technologies and lifecycle support strategy help customers improve reliability, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership across the full life of their drive assets.

Read more...
Latest Danfoss automation drive
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG has launched the Danfoss iC7-Automation enclosed variable speed drive range in South Africa, backed by significant local stockholding of 400 V models up to 710 kW, approved warranty workshops, and DrivePro digital asset management support.

Read more...
Severe-duty workhorses powering mining
Motion Control & Drives
Mining machines such as rock crushers, pumps and conveyors need motors that combine high torque with robust enclosures, seals and cooling. WEG Africa explains how severe-duty motors deliver more than a decade of reliable performance in harsh conditions while meeting modern energy-efficiency standards.

Read more...
BMG integrates conveyor drive technology to improve mining reliability and availability
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Editor's Choice
BMG supplies engineered turnkey drive packages for belt conveyors and feeders in mining and bulk materials handling, bringing the motor, drive, couplings, gearbox, lubrication and condition monitoring together as one integrated system to protect conveyor availability.

Read more...
Looking beyond the spec sheet when choosing motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
When machine builders focus only on torque, speed and price, engineering time, integration effort and long-term maintainability get overlooked. Kollmorgen explains how thinking at the system level, not the component level, leads to better motion architecture choices.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved