The Bison Blog

Bison Gear Adds 562 Series to FlexTorq™ Hollow Shaft Gearmotors

Versatile design offers opportunity to replace less efficient right angle worm gearing, while offering higher torque in a compact package.

Gearmotor and electric motor manufacturer, Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. has added 46 models of its 562 Series of hollow shaft offset gearmotors to its growing FlexTorq™ line of products. With a slightly larger footprint than a conventional right angle worm reducer gearmotor, the FlexTorq™ units provide from two to nine times more output torque, depending on the gear ratio utilized.

 

The 562 Seriesof FlexTorq™ gearmotors is offered in seven 115 volt, single-phase 1/20 hp (37.3 watt) versions and thirty nine DC versions with 12, 24, 90 and 130 volt inputs and powers of 1/8 and 1/20 hp (93.2 and 37.3 watts). Continuous output torques range from 66 to 1100 in-lbs (7.5 to 124.3 N-m), with corresponding fixed output speeds from 65 to 1.3 rpm.

 

"We find that special machine builders and OEMs really like the unique FlexTorq™ design because its offset parallel shaft configuration fits into a lot of tight spaces and it has exceptional torque density," said John Morehead, Bison Gear's vice president, strategic planning and marketing. "The fact that the hollow shaft units can be optioned with single or double output shafts in any of three diameters or fitted with one of our TightDrive™integral speed controls makes them truly versatile."

 

The FlexTorq™ gearmotorsare manufactured in Bison Gear's suburban Chicago facility to Bison's high quality standards in order to ensure a short supply chain and reliable, long-life operation. All the models of the FlexTorq™ gearmotors are supported by Bison's In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program, which ensures immediate delivery of standard products. In addition, Bison's Innopreneurial™ application and design engineering capabilities to customize standard models to meet specific OEM needs are readily available.

10 Things Everybody Ought to Know About Custom Gearmotors

White paper details key considerations in making standard vs. custom decision with emphasis on maximizing overall lifetime value for electromechanical machinery and equipment designs. 

 

With heightened focus on budgets and time to market, engineers continue to face a quandary when designing new electromechanical machines and equipment: whether to design "around" a standard off-the-shelf gearmotor or to specify a custom gearmotor meeting their exact requirements. In response to growing concerns on this issue, Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. has analyzed its customer interactions and relationships and produced a new white paper covering the "10 Things Everybody Ought to Know About Custom Gearmotors".

 

"We've taken a non-Bison-specific approach in this white paper so that design engineers as well as OEM purchasing authorities will find it helpful, no matter what size or type of gearmotor they may use or who their supplier may be," said John Morehead, Bison Gear vice president, strategic planning and marketing. "The most important finding, drawing on nearly 50 years experience, is the necessity to involve one's gearmotor supplier's application engineers as early as possible in the design process. Inevitably, that ensures the best overall machine performance, durability and cost position."

 

Some of the other key issues covered in the white paper include the value of proprietary gearmotor specifications, reasonable lead time expectations for custom engineered prototypes, benefits of an expanding product portfolio, production scalability and value-added opportunities.

 

The new four-page white paper can be downloaded at BisonGear.com. 

Lean 2.0 Journey Highlighted in Bison Gear Video

Manufacturing scalability while maintaining customer satisfaction goals featured in new online video.

 

Rapid growth raises the specter of manufacturing scalability which, if not properly addressed, can quickly negate top line successes. A new online video highlights this challenge and how Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. responded to it to ensure that desired customer satisfaction metrics were achieved.

 

In the video, the gearmotor manufacturer's executive vice president, George Thomas, comments on Bison's "Lean 2.0" journey, which includes integration of demand planning and master scheduling to achieve level loading of the Illinois manufacturer's increased production capacity.   "At Bison, PRIDE means People Relentless in Delivering Excellence. To ensure customers receive that excellence, Bison developed a three-element PRIDE rating to measure customer satisfaction," said Thomas. "We're focused not only on overall on-time delivery percentage, but also the customer-centric metrics of change order acceptance rate and product approval rating in the field."

 

The three minute video, titled "Changes in Manufacturing Raise the Bar", can be viewed at BisonGear.com.

Bison Gear's IEC Gearbox Blowout

75 models of European standard right angle, hollow shaft gearboxes to 2487 in-lbs (281 N-m), priced from under US$50.

 

Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. is offering closeout pricing on 75 models of hollow shaft right angle gearboxes that are designed to mate to IEC standard electric motors in frame sizes from 50 to 100. Utilizing hardened steel worms and forged bronze gears with reductions from 7:1 to 444:1, the lifetime lubricated gearboxes are rated for input powers from 1/20 to 4 1/3 hp (.04 to 3.2 kW), with continuous torque ratings up to 2487 in-lbs (281 N-m).

"These high quality, European-manufactured gearboxes are available in eight different sizes and Bison has 'blowout' priced them, starting from less than US$50," said John Morehead, Bison Gear vice president, strategic planning and marketing. "We have over 1200 units in stock and the specifications are in the 'closeout' section of BisonGear.com. If you pair them with one of the IEC motors also in our closeouts, you get an unbeatable gearmotor value -- however, this is on a first-come, while they last basis."

The Bison IEC electric motors closeout offering includes over 35 models of AC motors from 1/8 to 1 1/2 hp (.09 to 1.1 kW) in single and three phase configurations for 115, 230 and 460 volt inputs. Both the closeout IEC gearboxes and closeout IEC electric motors are supported by Bison Gear's In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program that offers same day shipment for orders received before noon (CST).

 

Bison Gearmotor Plays Pivotal Role in Raising Funds for Charity

Windmill playhouse raises $10,000 at auction to help rehabilitate low-income and elderly housing

 

An elaborate playhouse featuring a Bison gearmotor powered windmill sold for $10,000 at auction, with one hundred percent of the proceeds used to provide free home repair services for the elderly and low-income homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area. The "Molina of La Mancha" playhouse was designed by Topos Architects of Palo Alto, California, who selected a Bison Gear gearmotor to power the windmill on still days. The gearmotor Bison donated to the project is from the VWDIR23 series of right angle, variable speed drives.

The Don Quixote-inspired windmill was sold at the Dreams Happen auction which is the primary fundraiser for the Rebuilding Together Peninsula charity that provides free home repair services for those in need. The primary recipients of their services are senior citizens, single parents, grandparents raising grandkids, the disabled, low-income families with children, veterans, children caring for ailing parents and the sick or poor in health.  

 

"Bison Gear is always happy to support such worthy causes with product donations," said Sylvia Wetzel, Bison Gear chief learning officer and president of BisonCares. "After all, we're soliciting product donations for the silent auction portion of our 4th Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament which benefits the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Lazarus House serving the homeless." 

"Although we sell gearmotors for special applications in the wind power industry and we also make permanent magnet dc motors that can be used as very small generators, I must say this is an application we did not anticipate," said John Morehead, who is Bison Gear's vice president strategic planning and marketing. "It's only one gearmotor, but the satisfaction everyone at Bison Gear received knowing the good work that will be done by Rebuilding Together Peninsula is as great as having sold thousands to an OEM."

 

Bison Gear Significantly Increases Torque Range of Verdant Duty™ AC Gearmotor Line

Continuous torque ratings to 717 in-lbs (81 N-m) achieved with addition of 650 Series to 3-phase inverter-duty AC gearmotor line.

 

Following the successful introduction of its 100 in-lb (11.3 N-m) inverter-duty AC gearmotor line, Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. has increased by seven times the output torque capability of its Verdant Duty™ 3-phase AC offering with the introduction of the new 650 Series variable speed gearmotors. Driven by 1/4 or 1/2 hp (186 or 373 W) three phase 230 volt TEFC AC electric motors, these specially constructed inverter-duty gearmotors are designed for long life variable frequency drive operation with continuous duty torque outputs from 148 to 717 in-lbs (16.7 to 81 N-m).

 

"These new Verdant Duty™ AC gearmotors are ideally suited for equipment designs that can benefit not only from higher efficiency three-phase input, but also variable speed to suit load conditions as in conveying and other dynamic load applications," said Bunnyray Larmond, Bison Gear regional sales manager. "Of course, Bison also offers matching AC drives in both open chassis and NEMA 4X enclosures to accompany these gearmotors." 

The 650 Series Verdant Duty™ standard product offering is made up of five models with gear ratios from 27.6 to 214.5:1. Like all of Bison's standard and Verdant Duty™ products, they are supported by Bison's In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program and available from Bison distributors and direct from the Bison website. Complete specifications and CAD drawings for these units are also available at Bison Gear's new website.

 

The Verdant Duty™ gearmotors are manufactured in Bison Gear's suburban Chicago facility to Bison's high quality standards in order to ensure a short supply chain and reliable, long-life operation.

 

In addition, Bison's Innopreneurial™ application and design engineering capabilities are available to assist OEMs in their product development and improvement initiatives.

Bison Gear Adds AC Offerings to FlexTorq™ Hollow Shaft Offset Gearmotor Line

Single and three-phase AC motors to 1/2 hp (373 W) added to efficient gearing for face or foot mount, hollow or stub shaft, speeds to 1 rpm and 2500 in-lbs (283 N-m) torque output.

 

Designed as high torque, tight space drives, Bison Gear's new FlexTorq™ 762 series hollow shaft offset AC gearmotors feature either a 1.25" (31.75 mm) I.D. hollow shaft or a 1.25" diameter solid shaft in either the u-shaped or s-shaped configuration. Driven by 1/20, 1/4, or 1/2 hp (37, 186, or 373 W) single and three phase 115 and 230 volt AC electric motors these versatile fractional horsepower gearmotors operate with fixed output speeds from 60 to 1 rpm and offer continuous duty torque outputs from 430 to 2500 in-lbs (48.5 to 283 N-m) respectively.

 

"These new FlexTorq™ AC gearmotors are a nice complement to our DC

FlexTorq™ offering and are ideally suited for a variety of conveying, foodservice and athletic equipment applications," said Jim Parejko, Bison Gear vice president continuous improvement and engineering. "We have added 15 standard models to our In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program to support our distribution partners and can readily design variations to meet specific OEM needs." 

The AC FlexTorq™ standard product offering includes two dual voltage (115/230) models, nine 115 volt models and four energy saving Verdant Duty™ three-phase models for use with variable frequency drives. Complete specifications and CAD drawings for these units are available at Bison Gear's new web site.

 

The FlexTorq™ gearmotors are manufactured in Bison Gear's suburban Chicago facility to Bison's high quality standards in order to ensure a short supply chain and reliable, long-life operation. In addition, Bison's  Innopreneurial™ application and design engineering capabilities are available to assist OEMs in their product development and improvement initiatives.

Bison Gear Launches New Web Site With Expanded Functionality and Content

Immediate visibility of entire product range complemented by videos, white papers, new closeout specials and worldwide In-Stock, Instant-Ship capability.

 

The new Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. web site offers immediate home page visibility of Bison's extensive line of fractional horsepower AC and DC gearmotors, electric motors, gear reducers, drives and accessories. Bison Gear's expanding video library has been added to the new site, along with white papers, featured new products and an ever-changing special "closeouts" section.

 

"In response to our web customers and channel partners, we've made it much easier to quickly find Bison products through linked summaries of our entire product range on the new home page, as well as our parametric search tools that enable visitors to find products based on type, voltage, speed, power, torque or gear ratio in any combination," said Brenda Thiessen, Bison Gear marketing supervisor. "In addition, we have included global web ordering capability for over 550 standard Bison products which are supported with same day order fulfillment through our In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program."

 

Visitors to the new BisonGear.com can now easily link to Bison's Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube social media sites and also sign up to receive Bison's "Driving Force" newsletter. 

New Permanent Magnet DC Gearmotors Offer Full-Featured Integral Speed Control Option

Bison Gear launches 90 volt brushed DC gearmotors providing up to 500 in-lb (56.6 N-m) constant torque at speeds as low as 6 rpm and direct mount speed control option saves energy, space and wiring.

 

Bison Gear & Engineering introduces six standard models of new parallel shaft permanent magnet DC gearmotors with continuous torque ratings from 30 to 500 in-lbs. (3.4 to 56.5 N-m). The new VWDIR134 DC gearmotors are available with 1/10 or 1/11 horsepower (74.6 or 67.8 watts) 90 volt brushed DC electric motors. The compact, integral gear reducers feature hardened steel helical and spur gearing for efficiency and durability, with ratios ranging from 10:1 to 266:1 and corresponding fixed output speeds from 152 to 6 RPM.   The gearmotors feature built-in face mounting, compatible with Von Weise Genesis mounts, and offer overhung load (OHL) capability of 300 lbs. (136.4 kg.).  For added versatility, these gearmotors also accept the new Bison TightDrive™ speed control.

 

"The TightDrive™ option enables machine builders to put the control, the power and the gearmotor more conveniently at the point of use, while saving installation time and reducing costs," said Gary Dorough, Bison Gear western regional sales manager. "As a bonus, users can maximize energy savings by easily changing speeds as their requirements change."

 

Bison Gear's TightDrive™ motor-mounted speed control can be easily user installed on the rear of the VWDIR134 gearmotors and offers up to a 20:1 speed range. The TightDrive™ is housed in a durable aluminum extrusion which offers NEMA 1 (IP 30) protection and superior heat dissipation. Speed is controlled with a combination on/off switch and speed potentiometer. In addition, three easily accessible adjustable potentiometers provide settings for minimum RPM, maximum RPM, and current limiting. The simple, yet innovative, SCR control architecture also provides much tighter speed regulation than alternative controls.

 

The TightDrive™ is designed for 115 volt 50/60 Hz operation and comes complete with three foot (0.9m) power cord and NEMA 5-15P plug.
Users can mount the drive directly to the motor in 90° increments to optimize position of cord exit and motor leads.

 

The new VWDIR134 DC parallel shaft gearmotors are designed for high torque commercial, industrial and agricultural applications such as in foodservice, office and medical equipment as well as a wide variety of conveying equipment. 

Bison Gear's Innopreneurial™ application and design engineering capabilities to customize standard models to meet specific OEM needs are readily available. All of the VWDIR gearmotors are manufactured in Bison Gear's suburban Chicago facility to Bison's high quality standards in order to ensure a short supply chain and reliable, long-life operation. The VWDIR and TightDrive™ products are part of Bison's new In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program that offers same day order fulfillment on over 550 standard Bison products.

 

The VWDIR134 DC gearmotors are the thirteenth series to join Bison Gear's comprehensive line of Von Weise Drop-In Replacement gearmotors. Bison's VWDIR line now encompasses 90 standard models of right angle, parallel shaft, and offset parallel shaft designs utilizing AC, DC and universal electric motors from 1/30 to 1/2 horsepower (25 to 373 watts), with fixed output speeds from 1.5 to 181 RPM and continuous torque ratings up to 800 in-lbs (90.4 N-m). All of the VWDIR gearmotors are manufactured in Bison Gear's suburban Chicago facility to Bison's high quality standards in order to ensure a short supply chain and reliable, long-life operation.

Plans for Industrial Distribution in Today’s Economy

Industrial distribution consultant, Frank Hurtte, posted an excellent article entitled, “The Distributor’s Mid-Recession Checklist“. It offered some excellent advice for distributors in today’s recessionary economy and stimulated us to post the following comment in reply:

Excellent article, Frank. I’d like to suggest that the supplier evaluation step might include the question, “How is our supplier willing to work with us now, under these extraordinary economic circumstances?”

Every product category in industrial distribution is made up of numerous competing manufacturers. A good manufacturer should have a plan in place to not only ensure his success in a bad economy but, more importantly, help his channel partners build their businesses as well with new customers and increased market share.

For example, Bison Gear is a fractional horsepower gearmotor manufacturer. We’ve put in place a plan to enable us and our distribution partners to more aggressively win competitive new business. It works because we work together with our distribution partners. In a competitive situation where a competing distributor has the business with a competing product, we let our channel partners know it’s possible to capture that business if they take the time to do more than just pass along the simple “what’s your best price?” query. To ensure we’re both successful, we ask distributors to provide us with the answers to three simple questions (they should be asking anyway)to get our best offer:

1. Annual unit volume and number of shipments?
2. Who is the competition (i.e., manufacturer X, Y or Z)? (We won’t entertain special pricing to shift Bison business from one distributor to another).
3. More importantly, what is the target price and to whom (you as distributor or customer)?

Of course, we have a 24-hour turnaround goal on these competitive quote requests and support our distribution partners with an In-Stock, Instant-Ship (ISIS) program covering all our standard products.

The point is, that it takes teamwork to be successful today and manufacturer programs enacted to build distributor business in tough times should be capable of being able to continue to grow the relationship and mutual business when good times return.