CRT Heaven deals with end-of-life televisions and monitors, its CRT Angel recycling system quickly and accurately separating the unleaded and leaded glass portions of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of all sizes at a rate of 120 per hour. In the first installed CRT Angel machine, ball-race linear bearing systems were used to facilitate the movement of the CRT through the process, for the lateral traverse of the diamond cutting heads and the door assembly. Despite the presence of an efficient extraction system, however, the fine glass dust caused havoc with these bearings, as project manager, Graham Hamshaw explains.
“The travel table bearings and the assembly that transports the CRT through the machine were those nearest the floor and therefore the most vulnerable to the build-up of glass. Some of the CRTs also weigh in excess of 60kg and have glass that is 15mm thick. The combination of these factors meant the machine and its components needed to withstand significant forces.”
Initially, HepcoMotion Pacific bearings were the front runner when a suitable replacement for the ball race bearings was sought. Although they did show signs of wear, they did not fail catastrophically, ensuring no noticeable drop in machine performance. However, as their size and shape would have required structural alterations within the machine, Mr Hamshaw needed to find yet another alternative.
The HepcoMotion GV3 linear system offered a similar profile to the flat rail and ball-race bearings already installed on the machine but promised far better performance in this aggressive application. The GV3’s all-steel slide-way is three times stiffer than aluminium alternatives and its novel wiping action actively expels the fine glass dust preventing ingress. Mr Hamshaw is pleased with the choice.
“Now over a year down the line I am pleased to say that I have had to replace only one of the 48 journals that are on that [CRT Angel] machine, and that only failed as a result of impact when a foreign object was left in the machine. The operator didn’t notice the obstruction as the machine continued to function perfectly.” The GV3 system is now utilised on other parts of the CRT Angel, including door and cutter assemblies and the travel table.