Drive system needed!!

[richm1]

I have a project in which I need to design a gear drive or similar drive system (perhaps belt drive) to turn two seperate shafts which hold a number of wire brushes (diameters and quantities vary, typically the brushes are 12" dia and there could be 10+ of them on a shaft). The shafts sit vertically and are spaced roughly 20" apart when not in use. When the system is activated the brush shafts move inwards together to clean objects (using the wire brushes to clean). The speed the shafts typically spin are 60-90 rpm. We are currently using two independent gear motors that are 1/4HP 200 in-# torque at 60rpm. I'm looking for an inexpensive but yet good solution for the application. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! thanks

 

[jimbo]

Try posting in "gear and pulley engineering Forum" also.

 

[dougholmes]

If the shafts move together by pivoting on a common centerline, you could put a timing belt drive from each brush shaft going to a common drive shaft situated on the centerline of that pivot. 60 to 90 RPM is pretty slow speed to get much power out of that kind of drive, so either roller chain or silent chain might be better for the situation.

Another possibility would be to use some kind of sheathed flexible drive shafts off of a dual output shaft gearbox.

 

[MikeMech]

Can the shafts be driven by pneumatic gearmotors? The two shafts could then be brought together using air piston(s) on the same circuit. Airmotors are cheap, if you have the air already available on site.