Let there be light

The Pfaff-silberblau wire rope winch BETA EL4 from Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products is now also being used in sophisticated radiation applications from BF Engineering, primarily in test benches in the automotive sector, where it is used as the transport system for the vertical adjustment of a sun simulation system in an environmental chamber. Since persons can stand under the system, the electric wire rope winch is designed with BGV-C1 certification. This means that it satisfies the accident prevention regulations for production-related areas, in which persons move under the load, and is thus ideally suited for test bench applications.
BF Engineering is a leading provider when it comes to sun simulations with global radiation, radiation systems with UV or infrared light and lighting systems for high-speed filming.

The robust electric wire rope winch BETA EL4 with a load capacity of up to 1,600 kg and electronic overload protection from 1,000 kg is used in the sun simulation systems for lifting, lowering and pulling the panels including the lights.

The spectrum of radiation technology ranges from small systems with only one light through to large systems with up to 40 lights with 4000 W each for all conceivable dimensions of the test objects. Extreme conditions can be encountered here, like for example in the wind tunnel with a tunnel and cloud simulation, in vacuum and salt spray chambers or in test benches where the effects of temperature, humidity, wind and pressure are investigated.

Applications like these call for high product quality with regard to the components used. Consequently, BF Engineering opted for the wire rope winch BETA EL4 of the Pfaff-silberblau brand from Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products, since this winch, thanks to its special design, is also suitable for use in an environmental chamber with temperatures between -40 to +60 °C.

 Its proven technology and the high standard of quality, such as for example a 4-rope grooved drum, go to ensure failure-free, safe and continuous test bench operation. The low-maintenance spur gear runs exceptionally smoothly and quietly thanks to its helical gearing.

The use of high-grade components ensures reliability and long service lives in the environmental chamber. By way of example, the winch's surface is sealed with a two-component varnish system with at least 240 m thickness, its drive and electrical components are protected according to IP65. The motor, gearbox and limit switch are equipped with standstill heating. After switching off, this prevents cooling below the dew points inside the housing, thus avoiding unwanted moisture, which in turn could lead to leakage currents, arc-overs, short circuits and ultimately to the destruction of the drive.