Published in American Longwall Magazine

The new Global Series 750 CST is 20% more powerful than its predecessor, the 630, and improves on the company’s industry standard product.

The controlled start of CST systems allows a heavily loaded conveyor to accelerate smoothly to operating speed, eliminating belt shock waves and extending conveyor belt life.

Significantly, this is the first time in 25 years Rockwell Automation has entirely redesigned the CST from the ground up, using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) design methods.

“The new CST is a more balanced design, offering a better power output in relation to the unit’s size,” Rockwell mining industry manager Mike Smale said.

“It incorporates one piece housing with simplified controls which, from the manufacturer’s point of view, is the most cost-effective because it is a steel fabricated single unit instead of two halves with a bolted split line.”

From a maintenance point of view, the hydraulic system has been redesigned resulting in less probability of leaks from the hydraulic hoses. Other improvements include a simplified external appearance, a reduction in hosing and enhancements to the internal planetary.

The next challenge will be to design other sizes including a 280, 420, 1120 and 1950.

Smale said Rockwell Automation plans to re-evaluate future industry CST needs in terms of the types and sizes of belts, operating speeds, and other operating parameters, especially given the industry’s move to higher production rates and longer conveyors.

The company has also released a new line of Reliance Electric mining industry motors, available in large, medium and small AC models. Two of Reliance’s most popular motors were re-engineered and relabeled to incorporate design improvements such as the Inpro Seal bearing isolator on both the drive and non-drive ends. These non-contact labyrinth seals are composed of a stator and rotor to exclude contamination in difficult environments.

In the large alternating current (AC) line, the G-series platform provides more horsepower per frame per size than any other similarly configured motor.

In small and medium frame sizes, the new mining motors borrow from the strength and performance of the Reliance 841XL.

The motors are available in 3-2500hp in standard TEFC configurations with IP56 rating. Voltage ratings for large AC frames are 460/575, 2300, 4000 and 6600v in NEMA 5000 frames and above. Voltage ratings for small and medium frames are 230, 460 and 575v in 180T-449 frames.

Rockwell Automation said the attractively priced motors were expected to be a big seller.