Maintenance Technology August 2015 - (Page 39)
EQUIPMENT BASES
Put a Good Base
Under Your Pumps
WE KNOW THAT A solid
foundation is a proven way
to increase the mean time
between planned maintenance for most
types of rotating equipment. But not all
rotating-equipment bases are created
equal. As reliability expert Heinz Bloch
notes in his 2011 book Pump Wisdom,
there is no single, accepted way to
mount rotating equipment, such as
pumps. These units can be mounted
in many different ways, some of which
are OK to be done "at least cost," writes
Bloch, just as "there are times and places
to do it with uncompromisingly high
quality."
Bloch continues that "even a superb
pump design will give poor results if
poorly installed. A moderately good pump
design, properly installed, will give good
results." For Bloch, proper installation
means a good foundation in addition
■ Vibration damping: The polymeric matrix of polymer concrete
provides damping ratios greater than
steel or cast-iron. Polymer bases
can effectively minimize vibrations
without the need to increase mass
size of the component.
■ Precision mounting:
Cast mounting surfaces of most
polymer-concrete formulations are
typically flat within 0.002 in./ft.,
which reduces soft-foot and speeds
alignment. Also, polymer thermal
expansion rates are less than those of
cast iron, and the material maintains
consistent alignment in a wide range
of operating conditions.
AUGUST 2015
to good shaft alignment and the
absence of pipe strain. He stresses
that "no pump manufacturer
designs its pumps strong enough
to act as a solid anchoring point
for incorrectly supported piping,
This ITT Goulds pump is mounted on a polymer
or piping that causes casings and
concrete baseplate from BaseTek.
pump nozzles to yield and deflect."
Also, pumps must be "properly
secured to their respective base
plates," he writes, "and these base
a thermoset epoxy or vinyl ester resin.
plates have to be well-bonded to the
According to its manufacturers, polymer
underlying foundation."
concrete can be cast to precision tolerances
Industry has long depended on cast or
while offering the mechanical properties
fabricated metal for equipment base matesuitable for most industrial applications.
rials. Today, polymer concrete, introduced
Scott Sapita, co-founder and managing
to building trades in the 1960s, is emerging
partner of BaseTek, LLC (basetek.com), a
as a popular alternative to traditional
Middlefield, OH-based maker of polymer
materials, and offers several benefits. Often
concrete bases, offered the following
referred to as a poly, granite, or mineral
specific benefits.
cast baseplate, polymer concrete combines
-Rick Carter, Executive Editor
well‐defined, grain-sized aggregates with
■ Corrosion resistance:
Advanced resin systems offer protection from many fluids that may
otherwise require an expensive alloy
or possibly corrode cast iron or steel.
Polymer-concrete systems eliminate
the need for additional protective
coatings or periodic upkeep and
maintenance activities.
■ Faster installation: Polymerconcrete baseplates will not twist,
bend or diaphragm. This eliminates
the need for field adjustment during
installation. Most designs also
incorporate threaded leveling inserts
along with a bottom surface ready
for adhesion to grouting material
without modification or special
preparation.
■ Other benefits: Polymerconcrete materials offer low levels of
heat conduction, act as an electrical
insulator, are non-magnetic, and
resist water absorption. Their
mechanical properties are suitable for most indoor-outdoor
environments found in the process
industries. MT
To learn more about the
specification, design,
and installation of sound
rotating-equipment bases
and the benefits polymer
concrete models offer, visit
basetek.com.
MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM | 39
http://www.basetek.com
http://www.basetek.com
http://www.MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology August 2015
My Take
Uptime
For On The Floor
Industry News
Ultrasound: Aural Intelligence
Excellence in Action
Cool Advice on Hot Motors
Step Up to Greater Electrical Awareness
Keep Hydraulic Fluids Contamination Free
Five Steps to Workplace Desirability
Put a Good Base Under Your Pumps
QR-Code POI System for Quick Problem Solving
Products
Marketplace
Contrarian View
Ad Index
Maintenance Technology August 2015
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