Australian manufacturing has now grown for 23 consecutive months. Figures from the Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index show that although the manufacturing sector’s growth is slowing, it is still positive. This level of growth is the highest in Australia since 2005.
The headline figure of 56.7 for the Australian PMI is the strongest out of Australia, the US, the Eurozone, the UK, Japan and China.
Employment in the manufacturing sector has also arrested its decline and is growing steadily. Manufacturers are reporting less spare capacity, which also supports the increase in employment levels. As a result, upward pressure on manufacturing wages is going to be a feature of the manufacturing economy until the end of the year.
The main cause for concern among manufacturers is the reported decline in margins. The continued drought has driven up input costs, whilst sell prices have remained stagnant. Manufacturing wages are also a factor.
The report can be viewed by clicking August 2018 PMI.
PIV Drives GmbH have been in operation for over 70 years with a 
technology that is now playing a major part in the future of the automotive sector. Positively Infinitely Variable drives utilise the same drive layout as the Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) drives that are starting to make headway in many automotive applications, much in the same way that Reeves units are.
At the heart of the PIV unit is the all metal slatted chain and the grooved wheelfaces. The slats in the chain move laterally to engage the grooves in the wheelfaces. Therefore, the chain cannot slip. The pitch diameter of both pairs of wheelfaces is contolled to an infinite number of positions by the pivoting control levers and the control screw.
The chain consists of links, the number of which depends on the size and regulation range of drive conversion units. Chain links are assembled from pressed steel plates coupled by pivots. Chain ends are coupled by a closing pivot into an endless chain and prevented by a split pin from slipping out. These pivots are cold riveted, and the holes for pivots are provided with hardened casings.
In the chain links – perpendicular its axis – these is a jacket fixed in which there is mounted a bundle of flat links. The flat links are push fitted in an axial direction. Flat links movement is determined by function position of drive conversion unit.
Fairchild PIV being repaired at our Braeside facility
All Torque Transmissions handles servicing of PIV drives in-house, and we are able to overhaul and repair drives with quick turnaround times. Industries that are dependent on PIV drives invariably require turnaround delivery times to be kept to a minimum.
In general, a mixer gearbox has a high output torque compared to the overall size of the gearbox. In many cases, a planetary gearbox offers the best way to transmit the torque loads required.
Planetary gearboxes are naturally suited to the requirements of mixer drives, due to the large torque delivered per gearbox size. The Bonfiglioli Transmital range also has the VK output option, which helps deliver and withstand the high overhung loads required.
The VK output lengthens the distance between the output bearings, which helps to counter the lever effect inherent in the mixer drive loads.
The parallel shaft gearbox option is also available. These can be supplied with direct-coupled electric motors or via a male shaft and flexible coupling. Output options include drywell housings and special sealing arrangements. Other options for these drives include fan cooling, temperature and oil level sensors, and forced oil lubrication.
A major part of the design process considers the life that is required for the application. Standard mixers usually have a life L10 minimum of 60,000 hours. In applications for water treatment, many times the application will call for a life of over 150,000 hours. Each of these need to be taken into account, as well as the usual design requirements.
Here is a demonstration video from our supply partner Bonfiglioli. It details all of the different types of equipment used in the solid packaging industry and the relevant power transmission equipment used to power them.
All Torque Transmissions’ range of stainless steel electric motors is now available.
Special pressure anti condensation debreather
The FPSS series is fitted with an in-house special pressure anti condensation debreather. This debreather is used to reduce the pressure difference between the warm air inside the motor and the cold air outside the motor.
When the motor is used it heats up. When shut down and cleaned with cold water the motor cools down too fast and creates internal pressure. This results in the suction of “wet” air from outside the motor, which can cause damage to the bearings and windings.
With our debreather, this problem of pressure difference is reduced, because inside our debreather is a special membrane which only lets air through and no water.
All of our stainless steel motors are equipped with one of these debreathers.