Learn how RACO Electric Actuators ensure precise loading in harsh environments with innovative solutions for bulk material handling in railway cars.

RACO Electric Actuators in bulk goods technology:

Adjustment process of a railway car device

Thanks to their robust design, RACO electric actuators from the Heavy Duty series are used as reliable mechatronic drives for a wide variety of infeed movements in bulk materials technology in the construction, stone and soil sectors. The actuation of flaps and chutes as well as the exact positioning of bulk material flow dividers are performed by electric actuators that are easy to install and can be controlled independently as field devices. When loading railway cars with bulk goods, the task is to load the cars as quickly and evenly as possible over their entire length. In the case of stationary cars, this is realized via a movable car loading device (swivel chute) or via a combination of several changeover flaps and slides.

About the project:

A further railway car facility has been put into operation at Kali und Salz in Wintershall. The cars are loaded using a chute that is moved by a RACO Heavy Duty series electric actuator. During the loading process, the chute must be moved precisely to seven different, defined positions in order to achieve homogeneous loading of each car. The approach accuracy of the individual points must be guaranteed from both directions.

A RACO electric actuator type T1M6 from the Heavy Duty series, which defies the adverse operating conditions in the wet area of potash loading, in combination with the RACOmatic® in configuration "B", which stores up to 8 positions, was the perfect solution.

The corrosion protection package of the electric actuator includes painting in accordance with DIN ISO 12944 and the use of stainless steel for the push tube and fastening elements. The wipers in the guide cap are designed for extreme environmental conditions and protect the inner part of the electric actuator from dirt particles. Build-up on the push tube is also safely removed. A spring system protects the spindle nut from axial impact loads, which can be introduced into the electric actuator via the thrust tube. Only RACO electric actuators offer this patented spring cup system.

The components of the RACOmatic® such as the frequency inverter including connection module, a choke and a braking resistor are installed in a control cabinet on site and thus protected from
aggressive media. The actuating speed of the electric actuator can be set by the customer within a range of 4 - 35 mm/sec. while maintaining the actuating force. In order to optimize the movement profile for the loading process, the factory-set ramps can be easily readjusted using the RACOmatic® tool.

Project modeling phase for RACO Actuator with chute

T1M6 RACO Electric Actuator attached to lever arm of chute

General project site photos

The following aspects of this project should be emphasized:

• Electric actuator withstands the most adverse environmental conditions; in particular temperature and vibrations
• Precise positioning of the chute using RACO electric actuators in conjunction with RACOmatic®
• System solution from a single source for simple integration into the overall system