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BRAKE ACTUATOR RETROFIT REDUCES MAINTENANCE COSTS

(ROCHESTER, NH, USA--December 20, 2000) One equipment maintenance challenge that a plant manager faces at a process manufacturing facility is to identify components on older high-use machines that could be affordably upgraded to enhance productivity and reduce maintenance costs.  In an effort to help its end-user customers meet this challenge, tension controls manufacturer Dover Flexo Electronics (DFE) has launched a pneumatic dual disk brake upgrade program. 

A brake upgrade involves changing out the actuator mechanism on an existing dual disk brake--typically originating  from another brake manufacturer--to replace it with a DFE Universal Actuator™ assembly.  This assembly, the internal braking mechanism used in DFE's new line of Heavy-Duty dual disk brakes, can include up to eight individual actuators (each with dual cylinders and friction pads) connected with all-steel hardware in a ring configuration.  A complete actuator assembly mounts easily between the dual disks of standard disk/ hub assemblies from other pneumatic brake manufacturers, including the Montalvo® Corporation. 

Cost-reducing benefits of a Universal Actuator™ assembly retrofit:

• Proprietary 'quick-change' release locks allow friction pads to be changed out in seconds without tools. Because the machine operator can do this himself, downtime for pad changes by maintenance personnel is eliminated. Actuator bolts never need to be loosened to make pad changes.
• Zero-maintenance piston design.  The piston diaphragms are sealed from contact with the actuator spring. This feature, in conjunction with DFE's limited-travel piston, has eliminated the possibility of a blown diaphragm.  The limited-travel pistons also prevent disk scoring. 
• All DFE products are warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for 5 years--the industry's longest warranty.
• Replacing the existing actuator assembly with DFE's user-friendly alternative is more efficient and less expensive than replacing an entire brake. Savings are substantial if upgrading multiple unwinds. 

The Universal Actuator™ assembly pictured was used in the recent retrofit of 48 Montalvo® dual disk brakes on various web unwinds at International Paper - Fine Papers Division in Erie, PA.  Also, a complete brake is shown following the actuator assembly installation. IP-Erie is replacing all their existing brake actuators with the DFE's Universal Actuator™ assemblies in order to achieve reduced-maintenance benefits.

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Montalvo® is a registered trademark of the Montalvo Corporation.