Challenge

Hydropulpers are machines designed to agitate a mixture of paper pulp and water to prevent dewatering until this mix can be used in the papermaking process. These particular hydropulpers are driven by 150 hp motors coupled to right angle gearboxes. Coupled to the output shafts of the gearbox is a large blade which is in the bottom of the hydropulper vat.

Due to extreme vibration incurred by the hydropulper, our customer was having problems keeping the mounting bolts for the gearbox tight. Even with proper torquing procedures, the bolts needed to be retightened every two weeks. This loosening caused misalignment problems and equipment failures. Downtime every two weeks was causing severe productivity loss and incurring labor expense.