Engineering solutions provider BMG supplies the local railway sector with custom-designed planetary gearboxes for use in railway maintenance programmes.

Design customisations are adjusted according to the demand and physical requirements of the application.

These applications range from special sealing arrangements and lubrication systems to special bearing arrangements to cater for excessive loads, reinforced housings and special output shafts.

“Dinamic Oil gearboxes, which are supplied with 22 kW brake motors, are used to lift, turn and hold railway coaches securely in place during maintenance procedures, such as welding and machining,” says BMG gears business unit manager Kelly Mac Iver.

The gearboxes also offer a low- maintenance solution for applications in the marine, sugar, hoisting, and oil and gas industries.

“A notable feature of the gearboxes is enhanced safety during operation. Prior to the introduction of these planetary gear units, large overhead cranes were used for lifting, turning and holding during maintenance, and this was a highly dangerous operation,” explains Mac Iver.

The planetary gear units have a nominal output torque of 210 000 Nm and turn 15 t railway coaches at 1 r/m. Other advantages of these energy-saving units include efficiency at low revs every minute, easy access for maintenance, a smaller box for a given load and range of ratio permutations.

The Italian range of Dinamic Oil planetary gearboxes is distributed exclusively in Southern Africa by BMG.

While Covid-19 has limited the supply of raw materials, such as steel, this risk has now been mitigated with the company increasing its stockholding of material and machined components to improve availability.

Dinamic Oil works with all major certification organisations to ensure that its products are properly classified and comply with design and construction requirements. Dinamic Oil is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

“Our quality team works closely with major certification organisations to provide type approvals, design approval and product certificates. The full traceability of our components enables us to easily supply 3.1 and 3.2 certifications,” notes Mac Iver.

BMG offers technical advisory and support services to ensure the efficient performance and an extended service life of every system.