GRAPHALLOY^®

Bearings for a Submerged, Heat-Dried, and Electrically-Charged Paint Line Baskets

CUSTOMER: High volume metal parts maker

APPLICATION: This automated line uses 24" x 60" hexagon shaped stainless steel baskets to carry the parts on an overhead conveyor track along this process line. The baskets are suspended on rigid arms that are equipped with a 2 bolt flange bearing that attaches to the axle on the basket. Baskets are equipped with a sprocket and chain drive assembly. This enables the basket to tumble during several of the steps on the process. Parts, basket, bearings and all go into a caustic cleaner / degreaser. They next travel to several paint stations where the basket and contents are electrically charged with 360 Volts DC for the e-coat process. Next they are dried in a 350°F. oven. This continuous process has 60 baskets, each loaded with 500 lb. of parts throughout the cycle.

PROBLEM: We often see customers with bearings that must run in a dryer, or applications where bearings are run submerged. Sometimes bearings are required to conduct electrical current. But this customer had all three problems to contend with. This company produces small stamped metal parts by the millions. These parts are painted on an automated e-coat production line. The customer's conventional ball bearing 2 bolt flange units were failing on a regular basis. These inch and a quarter size bearings were just not able to stand up to caustic cleaning and high temperature baking ovens. But the company’s main concern was the electricity that must be transported to the basket of parts. This current followed the path of least resistance, often causing the chain to become the carrier, resulting in sparks and open arcing as the chain moved around. In addition to ruining the chain, it was a safety hazard.

GRAPHALLOY SOLUTION: Customer installed our 845F2 in grade GM 126 iron GRAPHALLOY.

RESULTS: Not only are these bushings able to withstand the cleaning and paint dips, as well as the drying temperatures, but the arcing from stray electrical current has been eliminated.