Tile maker cuts energy costs by 30% with new drive

The fluid-coupling at British Ceramic Tile (BCT)’s production facility in Devon connected a motor to a gearbox, and regulated the speed of the drum which grinds the frit used in the glazing of tiles. However, the fluid coupling was proving unreliable, suffering random failures resulting in oil leakage from temperature hot spots. The leaking, hot hydraulic oil was, in turn, a potential health and safety hazard to employees.

Authorised value provider, APDS, replaced the fluid coupling with a VSD, resulting in an energy saving of 30%. This is attributed, in part, to the reduced starting torque, which draws 100A for the first minute compared to the same current being drawn for over an hour with the fluid coupling. 

ABB says the drive provides better speed regulation than the fluid coupling, has reduced the risk of breakdown, and improved worker safety.