Thermoplastic producer Vesconite Bearings is experimenting with new extrusion moulds so that it can introduce longer and thicker polymer wear plates into its product range.
In the last few months, it has successfully made Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube wear plates measuring 1000mm x 3000mm x 25mm and 1000mm x 3000mm x 20mm.
These are considerably longer than what was available previously in the company’s Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube polymers.
“This means savings thanks to higher yields,” comments chairperson Dr Jean-Patrick Leger, noting that the new sizes have stemmed directly from repeated requests from customers to extend the range of wear plates that the company produces.
The company is currently also investigating producing thicker plates.
In November, it started experimenting with 100mm thick plate, where the company had previously produced plate with a maximum thickness of 75mm.
“The 100mm thick (by 200mm wide) plate worked first time and is looking good,” informs Leger.
“We will now take samples and machine thin slices to see whether there are any flaws or stresses, but first impressions are favourable.”
The company hopes to introduce the thicker plates into its product range after thoroughly testing the production process.
Wear plates can be used in slides and guides; vanes in air motors, petrol pumps and rotary pumps; machine tool bed ways and slideways; camblocks; and sliding and wearing parts.
They can also be used to produce large bearing surfaces economically, either as cylindrical bearing inserts or stave type inserts.
