Project leader Eric Brinkhuis of the Hurkmans Group contacted Apex Dynamics to deliver a custom drive for a new electric valve key to be developed. The Hurkmans Group teams have recently been equipped with this electric valve key to reduce the physical strain on its mechanics.
Electric valve key that fits standard fitter equipment
To open underground gas, water and sewer valves, a fitter usually has to manually turn the spindle 20 turns or more with a long T-key. Often the spindle has to be made moveable first by turning it open and closed with the first few turns. This way the fitter can clean the spindle again. But it is hard work that requires a lot of force to get the spindle moving, especially the arms and shoulders are heavily strained by this work. To prevent this, Hurkmans Groep wanted to equip its fitters with an electric valve key.
Read more here about the role of Apex Dynamics planetary gearbox in this project.