Girth gears are used to drive large, rotating systems such as dryers, rotary kilns or horizontal mills.
Traditional girth gears generally consist of two to four segments and are assembled together for processing. This requires extremely large and expensive machines for production, handling and heat treatment. Besides this, the size of component parts creates disadvantages regarding casting quality and heat treatment.
SEW-EURODRIVE has simplified manufacturing, transport and assembly with its flexible segmented girth gears. This innovative concept is divided into several identical segments, meaning the component parts are short and easy to handle.
More than the sum of individual gears
By combining the latest materials engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, the SEW-EURODRIVE girth gears avoid the disadvantages of the traditional manufacturing process and create new benefits.
SEW?EURODRIVE only uses austempered ductile iron (ADI), which boasts unmatched tensile strength, for the production of its girth gears.
“ADI is stronger than conventional cast steel material,” says SEW-EURODRIVE Industrial Gears National Sales Manager Chris Smith.
“It also allows us to cast the segmented system and produce the product much quicker than conventional manufacturing methods.
“The other benefit of the segmented system is that if, for example, a tooth breaks, a much smaller segment needs to be replaced when compared to a conventional girth gear.
“The segmented system is also beneficial from a shipping point of view as it is more compact and cost-effective.”
“We also have the capability to do drop-ins of existing girth gears,” Mr Smith said.
“For instance, if a customer has a worn girth gear that needs to be replaced, we can provide 3D scanning services to customise a drop-in solution.
SEW-EURODRIVE’s patented test rig facility is designed to do a rolling test of the gear and pinion to ensure dimensional accuracy.
“It’s just another way that we’re ensuring the quality of what we’re what we’re providing,” Mr Smith said.
Complete drive solutions
SEW-EURODRIVE provides the entire drive package, delivering the optimal industrial gear unit with drive pinions, a base frame, the casing and many other options upon request to customers.
“Not only can we supply all the components to drive these products, we can also manufacture the girth gear and pinion system,” Mr Smith said.
In general, drive solutions with girth gears require in depth consultation, which is why SEW-EURODRIVE’s support system of design engineers, fitters and turners, sales staff and dedicated service departments are able to wholistically provide solutions for all applications. Industry specialists support the process from consultation through to assembly, commissioning and product life cycle services — guaranteeing the best technical and most economical solution.
Global expertise delivered locally
Since 1982, SEW-EURODRIVE Australia has been a proud and integral part of the global SEW-EURODRIVE group, a global designer and developer of mechatronic transmission systems and motor control electronics.
Based in Germany, SEW-EURODRIVE offers a wide range of integrated solutions. Recognised for its extensive local inventory of large-scale, high-torque industrial drive components, SEW-EURODRIVE Australia delivers short lead times and dependable service through a responsive, coast-to-coast national support network across Australia.
Its broad spectrum of integrated solutions includes geared motors and gear units, high torque industrial gear units, high?efficiency motors, electronic frequency inverters and servo drive systems, decentralised drive systems, plus engineered solutions and technical support/training.
The Australian division of SEW?EURODRIVE is headquartered in Melbourne and supported by a network of sales and service facilities across the country’s significant mining hubs, including Mackay, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Newcastle.
With about $50m worth of stock holdings across its Australian network at any given time, SEW-EURODRIVE offers fast lead times and minimises operational downtime for customers.
SEW-EURODRIVE goes beyond providing out-of-the-box solutions, with expert capabilities in reverse engineering, gearing, manufacturing and more.
“We can pretty much build anything we’ve sold,” Mr Smith said.
“We also back it up with local assembly and parts.”
The company is actively growing its WA footprint to expand its service offerings across the premier mining district and continue supporting customers from large-scale corporations through to small entrepreneurial enterprises.
Recently, the company purchased a new facility that will facilitate larger industrial gearbox servicing on top of its already established gearmotor assembly and mechanical service centres.
