Fastening & Assembly Solutions & Technology July 2012

Bolt tension measurement speed coal cutting
Caterpillar is using bolt tension
measurement technology on special
versions of its Longwall mining
shearers which are used in
very challenging underground
environments where vibration is
a constant factor. The shearers
have a reputation for maximum
structural integrity and service
life and rely on the performance
of RotaBolt fasteners to not only
assure integrity but also improve
maintenance checking.
The shearers can cut and load
more than 5,000 tonnes an hour
and feature a one-piece mainframe
design. Special versions of
the shearers with split mainframes
are available wherever
there are underground conditions
that limit transportation. The
mainframe is split into three separate
units and tension measuring
bolts up to 6 m in length are
being used to join the sections
together. The Rotabolt technical
team has worked closely with
Caterpillar over the last five
years evolving mainly M64 and
M80 fasteners which have ranged
from 1 m in length to over 6 m. In
joining sections of the mainframes
together, the fasteners are
operating as mechanical jack tensioners,
accurately measuring the
correct tension, with loads of up
to 250 tonnes.
Feedback from operational
teams in mines across Asia and
Europe has been very positive,
reporting enhanced underground
assembly and disassembly as
well as assured structural
integrity.
JAMES WALKER ROTABOLT
01384 214 442
Hot melt adhesive spells end for cracking mattresses
Traditionally the adhesive technology
used in the mattress manufacturing
process has utilised an adhesive
designed for use in packaging.
Whilst it does the job, the traditional
packaging adhesive lacks flexibility
and can ultimately affect the
standard of the finished product
and in turn the quality of the night’s
sleep offered.
Adhesive specialists KMS has
developed and gained accreditation
for a new generation of hot melt
adhesive, specifically for mattress
manufacturers. The new hot melt
Intact H906 can be used in all types
of existing hot melt system and has
been specially developed for manufacturers
who require a superior
pocket sprung mattress assembly.
The unique adhesive has exceptional
bonding properties to nonwoven
materials, PU foam and textiles.
It has the correct open and
setting time for automatic pocket
spring assembly machinery and
melts easily in the glue tank.
Unlike standard hot melts, the
material remains highly flexible,
helping to prevent the cracking
noise and poor adhesion that is
commonplace with inferior grades,
such as those designed for use in
FAST JULY 2012
FASTCASE Study
packaging that have been traditionally
used in pocket sprung manufacture.
Intact H906 is already used by
leading mattress manufacturers
who have found that not only does
it provide a stronger bond, it has
also improved the sound of the
mattress, eliminating the cracking
noise associated with other hot
melts.
With manufacturers competing
in a tough environment the use of
superior materials in the production
process can add a competitive
advantage, Fred Dunn business
development manager at KMS
Adhesives explained. “We only
manufacture the best quality adhesives
and using a packaging hot
melt for the pocket sprung within
mattresses was not consistent with
our aim of providing the very highest
quality,” he added. “We are so
confident that this will revolutionise
the way that we make mattresses
in the UK, we are offering a
free supervised trial. [The adhesive]
can be easily demonstrated on
any production line without the
need to change any equipment to
ensure that production continues.”
KMS 0845 381 1100
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