June 2009
Soybeans ... More Than a Commodity

by Greg Nowaczyk & Henry Stachura
The soybean is an annual leguminous plant that has been in the food chain for over 5000 years. It has been a staple of the Asian diet for many years. It was not until the 1800’s that the soybean was introduced to the United States. Currently, many forms of the product are being modernized to appeal to the health-oriented consumer.

Soybeans are thirty percent carbohydrate (of which fifteen percent is fiber), eighteen percent oil (eighty-five percent unsaturated), fourteen percent moisture and thirty-eight percent protein. They are the only legume that contains nine of the essential amino acids in the correct proportion for human health. Soy protein is categorized as a high-quality, complete protein. Nutritionally it is a good source of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, B vitamins and vitamin E.
Soybean Protein
SWECO POD/Scalper Separator

SWECO was contacted by one of the largest soybean processors to provide a solution to improve efficiency and safety in their soy protein concentrate operations. Soy protein concentrate is produced by removing a portion of the carbohydrates from the defatted and dehulled soybeans. It must retain most of the fiber and contain at least sixty-five percent protein. The end product can be sized from various flakes down to a flour. Soy protein concentrate is used as a food additive and to make vegetable burgers.

The processor was utilizing a competitive gyratory sifter. Since the final product is produced in various sizes from flake to flour, it required frequent screen changes. Ergonomically this posed safety hazards, and from an efficiency perspective, it created lengthy production downtime. 		Samples of the various soy products were obtained and sent to the SWECO Lab in Florence, Kentucky for testing. The customer arranged for several of their engineers to witness the tests. The customer was very impressed with our first class laboratory and personnel.

SWECO was able to offer a solution that met the customer goals of ergonomics and efficiency. Addressing both goals, four vibratory POD’s with Non-Vibrating QuickChange™ assemblies, clamp band holders, quick release clamp rings and self-cleaning sandwich screens was proposed.

SWECO personnel were present for the start-up of the four units purchased to ensure a successful conclusion. The customer is extremely pleased with the results and commented positively numerous times about SWECO as a supplier.
SWECO QuickChange NV


Motor Maintenance

Most service problems involving motors are mechanical failure due to normal wear, improper lubriaction procedures, high ambient temperatures, excess top motor weight, improper motor installation, and improper bearing installation. Electrical failures are very rare and generally are faults in the customer’s power supply.

The normal life of bearings depends on many factors with load, operating temperature and lubrication being the main ones. The top motor weight has a major effect on bearing life. If too much force is applied to the top motor bearings through the top Force Wheel, then top bearing life could be significantly reduced. The best amount of force to apply is the lowest amount that will do the job.
No-Tool Force Wheel

On the other hand, bottom motor weight has less influence on bearing life. So, if additional force needs to be applied, it is easier and better for
the bearings to apply extra force by adjusting the bottom Force Wheel. However, if horizontal power is necessary in your application, extra force to the top bearings will be required.

High temperatures can be a major adversary to the motor as well. SWECO Motion Generators are designed for operation in an ambient temperature range of 0°F to 125°F (-18°C to 52°C). If the temperature exceeds that of the designated ratings, cooling of the air circulating inside the unit is required. An additional risk if the temperature gets too high is that most greases will begin to break down and lose some of their lubricating properties, causing the bearings to fail. This typically requires more frequent lubrication of the bearings. This is a non-issue for SWECO customers due to the fact that SWECO Separators use a grease that has a higher breakdown temperature than the motor bearings failure temperature.

Proper lubrication is another problem often plaguing the motor bearings. Lack of lubrication to the motor is a major cause of premature bearings failure. The SWECO TechLube, 		standard on most SWECO Separators, can dramatically reduce the risk of premature bearing failure.

The TechLube is an automatic grease relubricator which eliminates the need to manually regrease your motor. It provides your motor bearings with the right amount of grease at the right time.

When greasing your motors, only SWECO grease should be used. It is never advised to mix greases. Although some other specialized greases may be satisfacotry, they could be non-compatible with our grease from a chemical standpoint. Mixing greases could cause rapid bearing failure.

There are many factors that will cause your motors fail. Good maintenance techniques and proper equipment is key for a long motor life. The best procedure for both the customer and for SWECO is to have us do all the repairs. We don’t do it for the profits but for our reputation and desire to have customers pleased with their unit’s high service factor.
TechLube Auto Lubricator

Remember to take care of your motor, and your motor will take care of you.


QuickChange NV


Screen changes have never been easier or faster than with the operator-friendly QuickChange NV from SWECO. QuickChange NV reduces screen changing to a one-man operation, greatly reducing the necessary labor and eliminating the need to involve maintenance crews.

Powered by a self-contained hydraulic unit, the system does not require any outside utility hook-ups and no staging area is needed during screen changes. Screen changes can be made quickly, significantly reducing downtime and greatly increasing productivity. QuickChange NV is available on new units or for field retrofit.
Adaptable to a variety of machine sizes and configurations, the QuickChange NV allows for two separate types of mounting systems for your separator. The frame mounted design attaches directly to the side of any six-inch or larger frame, while the cover mounted design can be attached to any metal cover assembly. Both mounting systems provide up to a six-inch opening between frames to easily remove and replace the screen.

The QuickChange NV utilizes a set of closed loop hydraulic lifters, which are mounted off the base of the unit 		or to the plant floor. Brackets are mounted on either the side of the top frame or on the cover. These mounting systems are designed to lift the frame or cover and any additional frames that remain attached. After the removal of the clamp band from the frame level in which the screen will be removed and replaced, the lifters are tilted toward the machine to engage the brackets on the top frame or on the cover for lifting. A hand operated pump lifts the frame(s)/cover above the screen for easy removal.
L: Frame Mount; R: Cover Mount

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