Voith Turbo

To the Press Voith Turbo (Pty) Ltd

16 Saligna Street
Hughes Business Park
For Immediate Release – 16th March 2009 Witfield,
Boksburg, 1459
Main Switchboard:
Telephone +27 11 418-4000
Telefax +27 11 418-4080

Press Information

Date 2009-03-16
Page 1 of 5

Voith fluid couplings – setting the benchmark

through innovative design combined with engineering excellence

Voith Turbo South Africa (VTZA) is well prepared to cope with the global economical recession and
accompanying market uncertainties, plummeting mineral prices and the volatility of the local currency
thanks to the company’s offering of reliable, high performance, energy saving products and service
solutions. With this approach, Voith not only maintains its position as global leader in fluid coupling
solutions but also assists customers in achieving competitive edge through improved productivity,
reduced down time, maintenance and repair.

According to Voith Manager – Engineering Services, Hans Voshol, the proven technology of VOITH fluid
couplings keeps abreast of modern demands and remains the most cost effective installed product in
drive systems for the protection of the drive train as well as the driven machine. Voith fill controlled fluid
couplings (old design TPE & TPL) have, over the past 15 to 20 years, operated successfully in the South
African mining industry. Although lucratively applied in various controlled power sharing applications,
these open loop systems are mainly installed to slowly accelerate belt conveyor systems to full speed.
The couplings are also used as clutching devices to stop and restart the conveyor without shutting down
the main motor.

The new closed loop TPKL model can be controlled during any starting process to allow inspection
speed applications as well as reduced speed applications under full load. Globally there are hundreds of
successful installations and companies such as USA based BHP Billiton have standardised the product
for the group’s conveyor systems.

2/…Voith Innovation
 Voith Turbo
Voith Turbo (Pty) Ltd

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Page 2 of 2
Of Date 2009-03-16
Voith Innovation…/2

Hans reports that there are four local reference sites with installed units ranging in sizes from 1 X
562TPKL-E, 2 X 650DTPKL-E and 10 X 650TPKL-E. “Another sixteen 650TPKL-E units will be
commissioned soon with a further order for twenty 650TPKL-R’s currently being negotiated. All the
installed units are running well with no reported failures. The new Voith Fill Controlled Coupling type
TPKL is becoming increasingly popular in longer overland conveyor installations”, says Hans.

While using the same hydrodynamic process as the TPKL, the TPKL-syn coupling will at full speed,
clutch the input to the output, eliminating slip (speed loss), normally associated with fluid coupling
applications. This feature offers increased efficiency to applications with high power consumption such
as mills or kilns and with a power correction on the motor optimises the installation’s efficiency and this
translates to dramatically reduced operating costs. These cost savings offsett against the cost of the
TPKL-syn couplings, creating a long term saving benefit for the customer. Two units manufactured for
the US market were tested in December 2002 and have since been operating successfully.

Voith fluid couplings were adjusted to ensure adherence to ATEX standards and specifications, prior to
Europe’s development of an ATEX standard for equipment manufactured for potentially explosive,
dangerous applications. The specification is significant in that it provides proof that the surface
temperature will never exceed a certain value during operation. Hans elaborates: “The specification
therefore presents various levels of intensity for a range of applications of values and standards. ATEX
specifications require fusible plugs located closer to the operating medium to ensure that temperatures
are accurately monitored and that the plug is immediately activated when the temperature rises
excessively.

The new BTM unit features an improved non-contacting thermal switch to provide constant temperature
monitoring with feedback to the control PLC.”

3/...Voith Innovations
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Voith Turbo (Pty) Ltd

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Page 3 of 2
Of Date 2009-03-16

3/...Voith Innovations

Voith also developed a standard coupling range that uses water as an operating medium which is fully
compliant with ISO 1400I environmental specifications so that when a coupling actuates a fusible plug,
only potable water leaks into the soil keeping the environment free of any oil contamination. Water also
increases the coupling’s torque capability as water density is higher than that of the usually specified
grade 32 hydraulic oil.

“With environmental issues high on the global agenda for all industry, Voith’s water operated couplings
are rapidly becoming an increasingly popular, cost effective, environmentally friendly choice for diverse
applications. It is also important to note that we have engineered the products over the past few years so
that any standard oil operated coupling can be easily modified to run with water. Although conditions
apply, couplings from 1985 onwards can be modified as they already contain the correct parts for the
sealed bearing chamber, comments Hans.

The constant filled T-syn coupling is capable of locking the driving with the driven side at full speed to
operate without slip, thus no losses (power saving). The coupling (Type T- syn ) was tested for two years
in one of the six Voith test facilities at Voith Crailsheim, Germany, and also field tested on a mill
application in that country before being marketed. T-syn couplings are now operating successfully in
various applications worldwide and VTZA is currently negotiating the upgrading of mill drives in
Botswana converting existing soft starter to a more efficient T-syn coupling.

The couplings provide the full hydrodynamic starting process and lock-up at full speed. Should speed
reduction occur for any reason, e.g. a voltage drop on a mine, caused when big motors are started
directly on line, the coupling will declutch at approximately 5% under speed, re-accelerate the driven
machine hydrodynamically up to full speed and lock- up again for operation without any speed or torque
loss. “There is however one drawback to this coupling (T-syn),” says Hans. “It can only be used on
single applications such as fans, pumps, crushers, mills and on single drive conveyors”.

4/...Voith Innovation
 Voith Turbo
Voith Turbo (Pty) Ltd

Press Information
Page 4 of 2
Of Date 2009-03-16

4/...Voith Innovation

VTZA has various proven connecting technologies available to support the fluid couplings on the motor
and to ensure that it is possible to change the coupling radially without disturbing the drive alignment
which saves time as the need for alignment before restarting operation is eliminated.

Voith BR (Buffer Roller) couplings installed with these connecting methods are ideal to ensure buffer
changes in situ which radically reduce maintenance and downtime. VTZA has also designed and
engineered cradle supports for larger size couplings to eliminate the overhung weight effect on the motor
shaft and bearings. The coupling now becomes self- supported and can be exchanged as a unit by
disconnecting the flexible connecting couplings and radially removing and installing the coupling and
cradle minimizing the alignment required.

“We remain committed to continuously improving our coupling designs and we are confident that Voith
fluid couplings have established a sustainable, long term niche in diverse markets as a price/value
competitive, cost effective machine starting aid,” says Hans.

“Voith adds approximately 400 new patents per annum to the more than 7000 worldwide patents we
already hold and we always ensure that our product range is compliant with the latest requirements of
international specifications. We are able to offer our customers service and maintenance contracts
where outsourcing of these services is needed or where the OEM’s expertise would better serve the
customer’s operation,” concludes Hans.

About Voith Turbo

Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drives, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial
applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith AG. Voith sets standards
worldwide for papermaking technology, power transmission, energy technology, and industrial services. Voith was
founded in 1867. With approximately 37 000 employees, annual sales of € 4.2 billion and over 270 locations
worldwide, Voith is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. Voith is an official partner of the initiative
"Germany – Land of Ideas".
 Voith Turbo
Voith Turbo (Pty) Ltd

Press Information
Page 5 of 2
Of Date 2009-03-16
Issued on behalf of: Voith Turbo
P O Box 13171, Witfield, 1459

Media contacts: Hans Voshol

- Manager – Engineering Services - Voith Turbo South Africa
- Product Manager - Start-up Components - Voith Turbo South Africa
Tel: 011 418 4000 / Fax: 011 418 4080
hans.voshol@voith.com

Roy Webster - Marketing Manager - Voith Turbo South Africa

Tel: 011 418 4036 (direct) / 011 418 4000 / Fax: 011 418 4080
roy.webster@voith.com

By: Sonia Laverick - Laverick Media Communications cc

Tel: 083 310 4491 / Fax: 086 671 6836
lavmedia@iafrica.com