Mechanical drives are used to provide a variable output speed from a
constant speed power source or to provide torque increase for a variable
speed power source as in an automobile. People often looked for constant technological advancement to gauge the progression of a piece of equipment. One noteworthy evolution in the last 50 years is of mechanical drive. Trenchers used to put stuffs in the ground gradually shifted over the last several years to mechanical drive. Mechanical drives used gearboxes, shafts, pulleys, chains and sprockets to drive the trencher chain.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mechanical Drives
Mechanical drives are less costly than competing electrical drives and their control is much simpler. They are used in industries ranging from aerospace to mining and heavy industry. With the advanced technology, the working of mechanical drive has become more efficient. The disadvantage of these drives is that they are not durable and cannot be controlled as precisely as electrical drives. They cannot transmit as much power as electrical drives when variable speed is essential.
Types of Mechanical Drives
The basic types of mechanical drives are:
- Geared Transmission - Provides specific fixed type
ratios.
- Belt drives - Provide flexibility in the positioning of the motor .
- Chain Drives - Provide infinitely variable speeds.
- Traction Drives - Provides adjustabe speed with
relatively high speed.
Specific characteristics are considered while designing Mechanical drives such as follows:
- Low-stress
- Universal mounting
- High-strength monoblac casings
- High-energy efficiency and
- Low noise level
Maintenance of Mechanical Drives
Mechanical drives have internal spaces that have void spaces where residues can be deposited. The system should be cleaned at regular intervals. Clean-in place (CIP) is a method designed automatically to clean pipes and drives. This method is used to clean the void spaces in the drives.
