Flow Control for an Older Machine

Author:  Kathy Levy | Associate Editor | The Shot Peener
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 32, Issue 2, Spring 2018
Doc ID:  2018027
Year of Publication:  2018
Abstract:  
Dave Barkley, the Shot Peening Training Director with Electronics Inc. (EI), occasionally gets questions on EI products from his students. He recently received an inquiry from a Senior Product Engineer with an aerospace company in Singapore. The company was told during an audit that they need media flow measurement on their shot peening machine. They were using Model 50 MagnaValves on a 25-year-old Pangborn machine. They asked Dave to recommend a Model 500 (the 500-P or 500-24) and a controller. The following is Dave’s response—it may be helpful to others wanting to upgrade an older machine. “The key thing to consider is that EI’s AC products are meant to run on 120 Vac 60 Hz. A transformer is typically used to obtain the required voltage; however, a transformer does not change the AC frequency. Singapore’s electrical system supplies power with the AC frequency of 50 Hz. Electronic circuits, designed for 60 Hz operations, run warmer when supplied with 50 Hz. This may cause the FC controller to overheat since the flow monitoring feature has more electronic circuitry than the Model 50 valves you are currently using. The ambient heat in your shop may intensify the issue.”