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The smaller Nord gearboxes are all rated for 4,000 rpm input, which makes it easy
to switch to a 3000/3600 rpm motor. It is best to switch to synthetic lubricant if this
change is permanent. With other gearboxes, the higher speed can result in
premature gearbox failure. Consult the factory for assistance.
A small change in screw speed, like 20%, will generally not result in a measurable
change in performance of the press.
It has become normal for a variable speed drive (frequency inverter VFD) to be
used with Vincent presses.
Low screw speeds are used for cooker crumb, potato peel, many sludges, and low
freeness materials in general.
CAPACITY MEASUREMENT
The best way to measure capacity of a press is to collect timed samples of press
cake and of press liquor. This should be done during a period of sustained, stable
operation, rather than by timing a batch through the press.
Press cake is generally captured in a tarpaulin, and press liquor in a 5-gallon pail or 55-
gallon drum. When the drain is at floor level, a 3-mil plastic bag can be used to catch
press liquor. If the press liquor goes to a pit or tank, the change in depth can be timed.
Sometimes it is possible to collect only one flow, either press cake or press liquor.
In these cases it is possible to estimate the press throughput if the solids content of
the inbound material and press cake are measured. It is assumed that there are
zero suspended solids in the press liquor, although this is never really the case.
A-B-C-D PLATES
There are four or five vertical plates making up the frame of the press, called out in
the Nomenclature schematic at the end of this manual. Starting from the drive end
of a press with a hollow bore gearbox, the first one is the Adapter Plate. The
gearbox is bolted to the adapter plate. Through four spacers, the adapter plate is
welded to the A Plate. This A Plate forms one wall of the inlet hopper. The shaft
seal housing is bolted to the A Plate.
The next plate is the B Plate. It forms the downstream wall of the inlet hopper. The
screen starts at the B Plate. There is a notch, called a Cord Cutter, in the B plate. Also,
there may be a bar called Brian's Stripper welded to the B Plate, inside the inlet hopper; it
is in a position to kiss the edge of the screw flight as it passes. These two features
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