Unique items you may run into at work

TBJK · October 16, 2018, 5:26pm

Continuing the discussion from Do we have tools for installing Trailer Hitch Balls?:

I figured instead of continued muddying up the thread, I continue the discussion here.

When thinking about some of the things that I come across at work, that I can discuss.

Here are a couple wrenches we used to use to break apart shaft couplings on a 4000hp motor, gear box & compressor. They have since removed the machines & installed newer machines, albeit them not being that old to begin with (only 18 years old, Life expectancy on them is about 50 years) The 12 point is 4 5/8”, the 6 point is 3”. We would use the all thread to pull them tight or loose.

matthshooter · October 16, 2018, 7:03pm

This is a tool, but not a hand one. It’s a retrofit sensor and guide unit for an industrial machine that enables it to sew belts or lengths of webbing on both edges.

Once the sensors are tripped, the first reduces the sew speed, the second trips an arm that swings around the back of the machine, taking the belt and rotating it around, and as the belt is rotated, the edge of the webbing or belt will trip the sew sensor, at which point a stitch will be laid until the material passes the sensor. Once the belt has rotated 180 degrees to the opposite side, it trips the first sensor and behind sewing at 3500 stitches per minute.

I wish I had video of the machine running. Everything was in Italian, including the computer settings and buttons.

Ferman · October 17, 2018, 4:31pm

Must be a cool place to tour.

TBJK · March 29, 2019, 2:58pm

A little Necrothread revival.

This week I’m working on this startup. It’s a Medium Voltage drive with 12,700 volt input power.

Ferman · March 29, 2019, 3:17pm

What does it power?

TBJK · March 29, 2019, 4:43pm

A motor that turns a compressor on a 2000 ton chiller.
Here is the chiller.

mstovenour · March 30, 2019, 12:50pm

Impressive. I had no idea it was possible to put 12.7KV phases that close together without worrying about them conducting through the air gap. Did that need a step up transformer from the utility’s distribution primary voltage? Around here most are 7.2KV but Bryan/College Station was 14.4KV so I suppose 12.7KV might be the direct voltage from the local feeder.

kbraby · March 30, 2019, 4:24pm

The Colony is a very gerrymandered mix. If you have Oncor distribution, it is 7.2KV. If you have Coserv, it is 14.4KV

TBJK · March 30, 2019, 4:38pm

It’s fed 12,700 from the utility, of course through the switchgear. I will try to get a picture of it too. I have another customer who has 13,200 for a similar setup, theirs is (5) 2,400 ton chillers though. Which is this site.

mstovenour · March 30, 2019, 5:03pm

I’m in awe of the power of setups like this and never considered running directly from the utility primary. It makes a lot of sense though in terms of efficiency at these large horsepowers. No transformer losses and the higher voltage means less I^2R loss in the motor windings also. This was obvious to me at 240 and even 480; I just never considered 12.7/13.2K.

bertberaht · March 30, 2019, 7:37pm

Could you borrow just a bit of that to cool off the Woodshop?

Raymond · March 31, 2019, 4:25am

No. Woodshop folks would not change the filters and would clog then freeze up the poor thing.

bertberaht · March 31, 2019, 4:55am

Hey Raymond, you didn’t have to spoil my fantasy!!!

TBJK · March 31, 2019, 5:02am

If we could only use to sawdust to fuel a boiler & create power.

Here is almost the whole drive.

MathewBusby · March 31, 2019, 12:09pm

Smaller wire sizes too, which done in these applications can reduce the number of conduits, etc as well.

ioport51 · April 1, 2019, 5:53pm

Is this why metal shop has no ventilation??

bertberaht · April 1, 2019, 5:58pm

Got nothin’ to offer for ya there! 'Course you could ask why metal seems like a dark dungeon, but guessing that has to do with fire-breathing and all that.

LukeStrickland · April 1, 2019, 6:10pm

Metal & Wood Shop share the same A/C unit.

If you go up weekly to the roof to change the filters above the woodshop, you’ll experience nice cool A/C

jast · April 1, 2019, 6:16pm

Which is now limited to “authorized personnel only”, if I recall correctly…

ioport51 · April 1, 2019, 6:33pm

that was going to be my 2nd question. It is a little dim in there. Is the A/c turned off or just frozen from lack of air flow. I think there is a possibility that if the light lenses were cleaned/replaced it would make a significant difference. Who is an authorized person?? I would like to talk to them.