In the past the Chang Ping coal mine was facing a number of problems because its AFC drives were equipped with two-speed motors.

It was decided to replace the two-speed motors with Voith Fluid Couplings to prevent chain breaks as well as gearbox and motor break downs.

The type 564 DTPKWL2 couplings provided a lot of benefits for the AFC drives.

“Based on the hydrodynamic principle, the fluid couplings protect the whole drive train from overload situations, which often happen at Chang Ping coal mine,” head of the mine’s mechanical and electrical department Mao Weihong said.

He said the couplings were so powerful they could easily handle AFC blockages without downtime or damaging the equipment.

“For forthcoming mining projects we will also rely on Voith Fluid Couplings to raise our productivity,” Mao said.

Since the installation of the couplings in 2009, the AFC has experienced no chain breaks.

This also means significantly reduced maintenance efforts.

These days 225m wide and 1000m long coal panels produce a yearly output of 3 million tonnes in the Chang Ping mine.