Upgrading the banknote presses at the Royal Mint of Belgium was an interesting task for pneumatics expert Norgren.The Euro is now in full flow, as the dual currency system that most countries have operated since Christmas comes to an end. However, without the help of pneumatics expert Norgren, the Herculean task of producing the new notes and coins would have been nowhere near as easy. When the Royal Mint of Belgium was tasked with the job of producing the new currency, it faced a number of problems.
As well as dealing with new dies, new alloys and small tolerances, it had to put all of its 12 presses into action to meet its production deadlines for the new Euro coins.
However, in order to avoid premature wearing of the coin die, both sides of the coin needed to be oiled.
The oil then needed to be atomised before the coins were loaded onto the presses.
As the speed of the press had also been increased, the Mint needed to fit lubricators as well as an individual suction evacuation and filter system to each of its fastest machines.
The challenge for Norgren was fourfold: to atomise the oil fully, to minimise the oil consumption, to allow precise adjustment and to protect the environment.
Norgren's Micro-Fog lubrication system provided the perfect solution together with Teflon oil Finoil Lube PN32 from Interflon and this ideal combination has now been extended to all the presses at the Royal Mint.
Norgren's Micro-Fog lubrication produces a very finely divided oil aerosol with particles less than 2 microns in diameter.
These tiny particles can travel long distances through complex pipework to high elevations where they can deliver a very thin coherent oil film across a load-bearing surface.
For engineers in other industries, this technology can be useful where applications demand lubricants in inaccessible areas.
Piet Luteijn Managing Director of Norgren Belgium comments: "By combining the knowledge of the specialist technicians of the Royal Mint of Belgium and of Norgren's experienced pneumatic specialists we have produced an effective solution to a demanding technical challenge".
Protection of the environment is assured via an Airmover model AM40 combined with a Norgren CS15 coalescing filter for oil mist and submicron particle remover, ensuring minimal discharge.