Vecoplan has just introduced their latest innovation in shredder technology at the 2005 NAID conference. The HiTorc™ Drive System for powering and controlling shredder and granulator cutting rotors is the latest innovation from Vecoplan. Long recognized as a leader in advanced size reduction technology, Vecoplan has developed an electromagnetic direct drive system that eliminates gear reducers, belt drives, fluid couplings, motor bushings, and virtually all interior wear parts. No wear parts means nothing to adjust, break or replace. PLUS it enhances performance to a degree that achieves DOUBLE throughput in some cases. "This is truly a breakthrough long sought by the industry", according to Len Beusse, the company's Chief Operating Officer. The HiTorc™ Drive System is available exclusively on Vecoplan shredders.

"While durability and extremely low maintenance are highly valuable benefits of the HiTorc™ Drive System, they pale in comparison to the performance features it delivers", said Beusse. The most efficient drive system made, HiTorc™ provides maximum torque and power under all conditions regardless of rotor speed. Immediately upon startup the rotation axis receives 300% torque, at 50% of rotor RPM it levels off at 100% torque, and continues at this torsion through 150% of rotor speed. Even at 200% rotor speed the HiTorc™ Drive System still delivers 50% torque.

HiTorc™ also provides full speed control and the widest speed range available. Conventional shredder and granulator drive motors have a useable speed range of 0 to 100% with little or no control over rotor RPMs. Vecoplan's HiTorc™ Drive System delivers an impressive 0 to 200% useable rotor speed range with total control of rotor speed within these parameters.

This control can be achieved manually by the operator or automatically through computerized controls linked to sensors within the machine. The control possibilities are virtually limitless. With the HiTorc™ Drive System it is now feasible to network entire processing lines together, both pre- and post-size reduction, achieving a perfect synchronization of infeed and outfeed workflow.

This revolutionary drive system also provides the absolute quickest starting, stopping and reversing rotor action. Approximately 2 seconds is all that is required to achieve any of these operations, all with absolutely no wear to the system.

According to Thomas Sturm, Director of Engineering at Vecoplan, "Increased efficiency was the original force driving Vecoplan's R&D engineers in the development of this system, and the results surpassed not only our goals but anything we thought possible. The HiTorc™ Drive System more than doubles the efficiency rating of traditional motors. Development was a joint effort between Vecoplan and K. E. Brinkman GmbH, a firm specializing in advanced motor solutions". Turn on a conventional drive motor and you get a current draw spike of approximately 700 - 1,200% FLA with only about 225% torque or 32% or less efficiency. Turn on a HiTorc™ and the current draw is reduced to a mere 300% FLA with an immediate 300% torque output. In other words 100% of power becomes torque or 100% efficiency. With conventional motors the current draw continues to remain above 100% until the rotor achieves 100% speed. The HiTorc's™ current draw levels off to 100% at just over 40% of rotor speed.

"The level of speed control offered by the HiTorc™ Drive System also enables one to limit the maximum current draw (and torque) according to the rating of your particular electrical service. This represents a huge benefit with regard to power consumption, enabling shredders to consume as little as half the power to accomplish the same performance", Sturm reports.

Another ancillary benefit of the HiTorc™ Drive System is its noiseless operation. By eliminating wear parts it also eliminates the sounds they emit.

Total control, total efficiency, total durability, totally evolutionary, the HiTorc™ Drive System from Vecoplan is a welcome development for many reasons.

For more information contact:

Vecoplan, LLC
PO Box 7224

High Point, NC 27264
Phone: (336) 861-6070
Fax: (336) 861-4329