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Air motors popular in South Africa

DRIVEN BY AIR
The stainless steel air motors from Deprag are ideal for use in wet rooms and can withstand the acidic materials

DRIVEN BY AIR The stainless steel air motors from Deprag are ideal for use in wet rooms and can withstand the acidic materials

23rd January 2015

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

  

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Germany-based air tools company Deprag’s air motors have proven to be popular in many South African industries, building on the company’s reputation for reliability and performance, says local distributor Dowson and Dobson (D&D).

D&D assembly technology manager Herman Parsons tells Engineering News that D&D first began distributing Deprag air products in 2008 and that, although D&D has not introduced any new Deprag air motors recently, the popularity of the air motors range is increasing and is encouraging growth in new markets, such as in the pulp, paper and board industry.

“We think there is massive growth potential in this industry, as the Deprag products are designed for use in harsh environments,” he says.

Parsons notes that the Deprag range of air motors is protected against corrosion and water damage, as its housings are made from stainless steel and are fully sealed.

“The pulp, paper and board industries usually operate in hot and humid conditions, which, generally, cause corrosion. The air motors are ideal for use in these environments, as they are robust and durable,” he says.

Applications
Air motors can be used in various applications; however, Parsons notes that certain sectors have a particular interest in air motors, including the marine and foundries, as well as the pharmaceuticals industries, owing to air motors’ cleanliness and the absence of electrical components, which reduces the risk of explosions.

“We recently sold several air motors to clients in the foundries industry and a company that manufactures components for the pulp and paper industry, as applications in each industry require air motors to drive drilling components,” he says.

The air motors are also ideal for driving applications that require gearboxes or direct drives.

Generally, air motors can use any type of air; however, with air motor applications, the air would require some preparation, which includes being filtered through a 5 μm filter to remove particulate matter and a water removal filter, notes Parsons.

Deprag offers four divisions of air motors, including its basic line, advanced line, power line and special application motors, all of which require 7 bar air pressure to operate.

The smallest motor in the range which D&D offers is a 20 W motor and extends to the largest motor, which is 18 kW.

Harsh Environments
The design of the Deprag air motors also prevents dirt from entering the motor. “The drive spindle is made from a high-quality noncorrosive stainless steel which is resistant to aggressive chemicals.

“The stainless steel air motors from Deprag are ideal for use in wet rooms and can withstand the acidic materials that are used in paper factories,” adds Parsons.

A safety feature of the Deprag motor is an automatic shutdown feature that engages when there is an overload on the motor, thereby preventing damage. Parsons adds that, once the overload has been cleared, operation can resume immediately.

“One of the main benefits of using an air motor is its high-performance density, meaning that a smaller motor can be used in applications that would normally require a larger electric motor,” he explains.

The motor’s performance can be adjusted by changing the operational air pressure, with the motor’s speed being controlled by adjusting the exhaust air flow.

He adds that the diverse motor design, compact and simple construction, lightweight design and high-speed operational ranges produce higher performance levels than those of traditional electric motors.

“The air decompression cools down the heat created by the friction in the air motor, making overheating of the unit impossible. The inner excess pressure of the motor also prevents dust and dirt from entering the unit,” says Parsons.

Another advantage of the Deprag air motor is its ability to operate without oil – an essential feature for the food and beverage industry for health and safety reasons.

Parsons notes that D&D does not stock all Deprag air motors, owing to the range being too extensive. “However, if a client requires a Deprag air motor which is in stock at Deprag head office in Germany, we will . . . source it with a short turnaround time.”

He adds that Deprag also offers customised versions of its air motors, which can be made to suit applications specific to clients’ requirements.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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