Delta Airlines passengers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport rely on an innovative automated people mover provided by Otis Transit Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of United Technologies. The people mover runs in an underground tunnel connecting three stations: one at Delta's check-in and baggage claim areas and two at gate concourses where passengers depart or arrive. Passengers changing planes travel from one concourse to another on the shuttle. The people mover system has a total of six 100-passenger cars linked to form two trains running in opposite directions. The cars ride on a cushion of air in parallel guideways rather than on wheels running on conventional metal tracks. The cars are propelled by a wire rope cable, which is guided by a series of idler sheaves. These sheaves have elastomeric liners with a groove in which the cable rides. Cable loading on most of the sheaves averages 200 lb./sq. in. Sheaves in these critical positions are known as deflector sheaves.
 Loads Cause Wear Problems
Soon after the system went into service in 1994, it became apparent that the deflector sheave liners were unable to adequately handle the severe cable loads. Additionally, it was discovered that the cable lubricant was contributing to early failure of these rubber liners, which needed to be replaced every 12 weeks. Otis engineers immediately began searching for a better liner material. The optimum material solution resulted from the combined efforts of three companies: Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc., of Middlebury, CT; Winfield Industries, Inc., of Buffalo, NY; and DuPont Company, Wilmington, DE. Winfield Industries manufactured long-life polyurethane deflector sheave liners from an Adiprene® PPDI-based prepolymer, supplied by Uniroyal Chemical Company and mixed with a proprietary curative blend which was specially formulated for this application. The Adiprene® prepolymer is based on a new specialty diisocyanate, Hylene® PPDI, commercialized by DuPont for making polyurethane elastomer parts with improved dynamic properties and toughness when compared to polyurethanes made from conventional diisocyanates such as TDI, MDI and other specialty di-isocyanates such as NDI or TODI.
The Adiprene® prepolymer is based on a new specialty diisocyanate, Hylene® PPDI, commercialized by DuPont for making polyurethane elastomer parts with improved dynamic properties and toughness when compared to polyurethanes made from conventional diisocyanates such as The PPDI deflector sheaves produced by Winfield Industries have now been in service for more than a year, which is more than 20 million cycles. Otis Engineer Peter Brovero stated, "After one year of service, the PPDI deflector sheaves exhibited no evidence of wear. Maintenance people at the site can now focus their efforts on other tasks." Otis was so pleased with the performance of the PPDI polyurethane that they used it extensively in their latest people-mover system located at the John Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and intend to specify PPDI in all future high-load applications. Other applications where PPDI-based polyurethanes have excelled include mining screens; hydrocyclone separator cones; fork lift tires; rollers for conveyors, textile machinery and other industrial equipment; high-impact bumpers; drive belts; high-temperature seals; pump diaphragms and steel mill rollers. The performance advantages of PPDI are achievable in both castable and thermoplastic polyurethane systems. Uniroyal Chemical has developed Adiprene® PPDI prepolymers suitable for a wide range of applications. Products based on polyether, polyester, and polycaprolactone backbones are offered in both standard and custom formulations. Uniroyal Chemical's Technical Service Group can assist in matching performance and processing characteristics of PPDI prepolymers to specific application requirements. Uniroyal Chemical Company and DuPont are partners in developing applications and markets for PPDI-based polyurethanes worldwide. Winfield Industries custom formulates the Adiprene® PPDI prepolymers with proprietary curative blends to optimize material performance for specific end-use applications.
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1960's The First Synthetic Polyurethane Bowling Pin was developed by Magna-Pin, which later became Winfield Industries. A unique composite polyurethane foam and solid elastomer was used to create this American Bowling Congress (ABC) S-1 approved for tournament use pin.
1970's Winfield Industries produced the first Seamless as-cast silicone squeegee rollers for automatic x-ray processing machines.
1970's Winfield Industries produced the first Polyurethane Railroad Draft Gear Pad. Custom formulated polyurethane was used for this shock absorbing application.
1980’s Winfield Industries developed the first electrically conductive polyurethane transfer rollers used in electro-photographic copiers. A manufacture of high-speed copiers needed a sophisticated electrically conductive vacuum transfer roller. Winfield engineers developed a unique tool design to manufacture this part consistently while eliminating extensive secondary operations. Transfer rollers are image critical components used to transfer toner to paper in a copier.
1980’s Winfield Industries developed thermally conductive silicones for use in fuser roller application in copiers.
1990's Winfield Industries developed the first homogenous electrically conductive charge roller Lexmark laser printers. Our unique cast-to-size roller manufacturing process and custom formulated conductivity resulted in a significant cost savings compared to the previous industry standard, a multi-layered ground rubber roller.
1990’s Winfield Industries designed a unique manufacturing process and custom formulation to develop a product that is now known as a “Particle Transfer Roller.” These parts are molded with a smooth glass-like finish. Coupled with a unique polyurethane formula, they are very effective in cleaning small particles from many types of films and paper media. The PTR roller has won our customers awards for reduction in solvent usage.
1990’s Winfield Industries developed a thermally conductive silicone drum for medical imaging digital printer that process film for diagnostic images. Our silicone maintains a +/- 1 F temperature across the surface of the drum.
2000’s a precision ground Intermediate Transfer Sleeve was developed for a high speed color digital press. This product is precision machined in a temperature and humidity controlled environment achieving a +/- 10-micron tolerance on the diameter. A final unique polyurethane /ceramic blend material was applied as an overcoating. A +/- 1 micron tolerance was achieve in our class 10,000 spray / dip coating area. The IT Sleeve is used to transfer toner particles to paper.
2000’s a unique micro-cellular foam formulation was developed to improve the life in a high-speed paper feed application. The polyurethane foam offered the customer 20X life over the existing rubber materials.
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