Rotec designs and builds a bespoke remote-controlled hydraulic roof window system

This unique, custom built hydraulic power unit and four cylinders was designed and made at our Taunton depot. Engineered in house, the system forms part of a remote-controlled hydraulic roof window system for a private residence. 

The hydraulic power unit, designed and built in house, incorporates a 4 Kw 415V Electric motor with a tandem Galtech gear pump, electrical solenoid operated pump unloading valves, electrical solenoid operated directional control valves and integral return line filtration.

Our engineers have also fitted a bespoke custom made electrical control system installed onto the power unit to enable our customer to control the roof windows remotely.

There are four hydraulic cylinders in total measuring 80mm bore x 40mm rod x 700 stroke. The cylinders, customer designed and made at Rotec feature integral adjustable cushioning both on the full bore and annulas side, self-aligning spherical bearings and dual load holding motion control valve fitted and hard piped to both the full bore and annulas sides.

Finished with a high build paint scheme in a colour choice of our customers, the cylinders are configured for additional external fitment of a string pot position sensor.

Custom made hydraulic winch system for the utilities sector

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd has recently completed works on a custom made hydraulic winch system for the utilities market.

Fitted to a fleet of Ford Ranger vehicles, these bespoke winches have been designed, built, installed and tested by our in-house team of engineers and include a hydraulic system, electronic control system and mechanical components.

The Capstan winch is specifically designed for fast line speeds and has a 350Kg working load limit with a remote electrical foot pedal operation

Safety features include an integral fail safe static brake and integral dynamic braking.

The Capstan winch drum is made of stainless steel and the winch is deployed on a sliding system to allow the operator to move it from stored position to operational position easily.

Our client is one of the world’s largest publicly listed utilities focused on transmission and distribution of electricity and gas. They play a vital role in connecting millions of people to the energy they use safely, reliably and efficiently. Rotec has worked with this organisation for several years and are proud of the strong, effective relationship we share.

At Rotec the team work on many different projects.  Much of the work undertaken requires the integration of knowledge and skills from across the Rotec team, to deliver all of the elements that make up a client brief. For more information on the services we offer, please click here.

 

Custom Designed Winching Systems

Isuzu Dmax

Rotec have been working with the Utility market for the last 20 years – designing and manufacturing winch systems for overhead line teams throughout the UK. Traditional vehicles such as landrovers were deemed the work horse and industry standard. Working with a number of organisation the challenge to replace the landrover centred on certain replacement vehicles – such as the Isuzu DMAX.

The bespoke system includes the following:

  • Electro-hydraulic PTO (Power Take Off) for the pump
  • Custom designed hydraulic manifold assembly, which uses an electronic proportional directional control valve
  • Dual pressure control which allows for pressure selection
  • Custom made hydraulic reservoir
  • Custom electronic control system, including a remote pendant with joystick control as well as a 2nd joystick located in the cab
  • Integrated electronic hand throttle for the engine
  • Quality winch and Parker hydraulic hose supplied with pressure test certification which can be traced throughout the Parker network using PTS system

The system operates in two work modes:

  • Lifting mode: capable of lifting up to 1550 Kg (SWL)
  • Self – recovery: capable of pulling 3600 Kg

The bespoke system is designed and manufactured completely in-house, fully – tested prior to despatch.

Bespoke Winching System for Polaris 1000 HD ATV

Ever considered how Over Head Line maintenance teams get their tools ‘up’ on to pylons to enable them to carry out their work?  One answer is with Rotec Hydraulics’ help.

At Rotec Hydraulics the Team, work on many different projects.  Much of the work undertaken requires the integration of knowledge and skills from across the Rotec team, to deliver all of the elements that make up a client brief.

One such brief was to enable these incredibly gutsy all-terrain Polaris 1000 HD Rangers to help Over Head Line maintenance teams access their tools, whilst working off the beaten track and when needed at height. 

 For one utility company the skilled Rotec team designed, built and installed bespoke hydraulic and electric Capstan Winching Systems to a fleet of all-terrain vehicles, to enable utility staff to ‘winch up’ the items they need, when working at height.

The all-terrain Polaris 1000 HD Rangers are used daily to support overhead line operations in the utilities sector.  The low ground compact build of the Polaris is perfect to access difficult to reach areas when repairing or undertaking planned activity in the utility sector.  Their confined flatbed behind the cab, is ideal to hold and secure Rotec’s bespoke Hydraulic Power Pack, powering the Capstan Winch.  Electricity pylons are by the nature of their role, often positioned off the beaten track and are accessed across all sorts of terrain.

The whole winching system was designed, tested, built and attached to multiple vehicles by Rotec Hydraulics in their large workshop space at the Taunton branch using the skills of the specialist hydraulic Design, Build and Installation team.

The hydraulic and electric winching system ensures when these mighty little vehicles and crew reach challenging locations, they have everything needed to hoist tools up on to a pylon, to carry out overhead cable maintenance and repair work.

When in the middle of nowhere there are times when the utility company over headline maintenance staff will not be beside the winch system to physically push buttons, to engage the winding mechanism.  Therefore, when designing the power sources to operate the Capstan Winch, Rotec ensured the Hydraulic Power Packs could be petrol driven, alongside a battery to enable electric start and a remote electric start option for when personnel are perhaps in position up a pylon. 

An integrated cooling system and roll cage over the whole Capstan winching system unit adds overall protection to the investment as it is transported to site and used.  The complete winching system unit can be fully removed from the vehicle if and when required.

 As a further safety measure, Rotec engineers designed and manufactured a specially designed manually lowered ground anchor, to limit the ability of the vehicle to slide when the winch is engaged in more extreme winching situations.  The power Capstan winching system is designed to pull up to 350kg.

As part of the design and testing process Rotec also undertook the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in support of the Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).  Rotec ensures we provide the additional evidence within our design to ensure the vehicle conversion is strong, reliable and suited to the challenging environments in which it is designed to operate. 

The Rotec team is thrilled they enable others to reliably undertake time critical repairs and planned activity, all year round, in any conditions, at any height, to keep key utility services across the country operating. 

Are you looking for an alternative option to get something from A to B in a controlled way?  Rotec Hydraulics experienced team of Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Mechanical and Electrical engineers can help.  Please contact any of our locations across the south west for more information or assistance.

 

Date: 24/02/2020  Revised   Author: Carly Warren 

 

Warship Power Units & Reservoir

After 4 months work replacing hydraulic pipework on a warship, Rotec’s engineers needed to flush the pipes to meet the required cleanliness standards. Due to a change in conditions on board the decision was made to design and build modular bespoke power units and a standalone reservoir.

Rotec have a long history working with the defence industry and specialise in bespoke design and manufacture of hydraulic power units for marine applications, amongst others.

Our team designed and built the power units using 55Kw electric motors close coupled to Berarma Vane pumps and included a flowmeter and a pressure gauge. The Berarma pumps are pressure compensated with variable flow rates. This gives the operators the flexibility to tailor flows and pressures thus ensuring turbulent flow conditions are met to maximise the cleaning action.

Electrical control panels are mounted direct to the trollies to allow ease of use

The power units are fitted with castoring braked wheels for easy manoeuvrability in tight spaces. The Rotec team also designed and manufactured a standalone reservoir, suitable for multiple applications and high volume (fluid) displacement, enabling maximum flexibility as design changes can be incorporated or removed as desired. The system includes pressure return filters which help remove any contaminants from the existing system, ensuring the pipes comply with client specified level of cleanliness.

Rotec delivered to the tight deadline, with just 1 week turnover.

Date: 26/09/2019

Author: Sarka Humpolcova

 

Case Study: Waxing Machine

This unique piece of equipment was recently designed and built at our Taunton depot. The unusual request came as a result of one of our existing existing customers, a well-known candle manufacturer, recommending Rotec to their supplier – a company specialising in the manufacture of candle wicks.

Rotec previously undertook a variety of repairs and control system projects for the candle maker and had also supported the wicks manufacturer’s machinery. Following a successful PLC re-programming project, we were asked to manufacture a waxing machine. Using old conceptual designs left by the previous manufacturer, Rotec produced an up-to-date design, new CAD drawings and a modern control system. Our team of talented engineers then successfully completed the build.

The machine is designed to impregnate and coat a continuous length of wick cord with wax and re-spool onto a new drum. The process involves a multi-pass immersion process through a molten wax reservoir followed by periods of cooling and hardening. The wax is maintained at a constant temperature, indirectly heated by hot water in a vessel located below the wax reservoir. A plc is used to control wax temperature, main drive motor speed and spooling control of the finished product. The machine is now complete and will be installed at the customer’s premises within the next couple of weeks. The machine is capable of producing sufficient finish waxed wick for up to half a million wicks a day, depending on the length of the wick required.

Rotec and the customer are already in discussions about the next project, the design and manufacture of a wicking machine designed to cut the wicks to the desired size and insert the sustainer (the small metal disc sitting at the bottom) ready to be inserted into a candle.

 

Date: 08/04/2019

Author: Sarka Humpolcova