Sumitomo Gearbox for Palm Oil Mills (POM)
Minimize downtime and maximize uptime through proper selection, correct installation, and disciplined maintenance.
Key Takeaways
- Durability & reliability: Cyclo® and PARAMAX® handle high shock loads and 24/7 operations.
- Torque & modularity: wide ratio options for digesters, presses, conveyors, and cooling towers.
- Lifecycle support by HEJ: site audit, sizing, retrofit, commissioning, maintenance, and spares.
Challenges in Palm Oil Mills
Continuous operation, mechanical shock loads, humid/corrosive environments, and seasonal variations make gearbox choice critical. The right gearbox cuts unplanned downtime, improves energy use, and extends service life.
Process Mapping & Sumitomo Recommendations
Ratios & torques below are indicative. Final sizing must use actual data: power, rpm, service factor, duty cycle, environment.
| Process | Characteristics | Recommended Products | Typical Ratios & Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterilizer / Hoist | Cyclic load, low speed | Cyclo® Gearmotor / Bevel Buddy Box | R 1:30–1:200 • T up to ~5,000 N·m |
| Digester | High shock load, heavy duty | Cyclo® Reducer + Motor / PARAMAX® | R 1:25–1:100 • T up to ~20,000 N·m |
| Press | Very high torque, shock resistant | PARAMAX® Industrial Gearbox | R 1:20–1:60 • T up to ~30,000 N·m |
| Kernel/EFB Conveyor | Continuous, abrasive environment | Helical/Bevel Buddy Box, Hyponic | R 1:10–1:50 • T up to ~3,000 N·m |
| Cooling Tower | Low rpm, high torque, outdoor | PARAMAX® / Hansen (Cooling Tower) | R 1:6–1:50 • T up to ~50,000 N·m |
Selection & Sizing Strategy
- Process data: motor power (kW), speed (rpm), torque, duty.
- Environment: temperature, humidity, dust, contaminants.
- Service factor: align with application standards.
- Installation: mounting, alignment, and speed control (inverter).
Maintenance & Monitoring
- Lubrication: oil/grease schedule per OEM spec.
- Condition monitoring: vibration, temperature, noise.
- Alignment & balancing: prevent premature failure.
- Spare strategy: critical spares & lead times mapped to risk.
ROI & TCO Estimate
Higher reliability drives down unplanned downtime. Energy and spare-part costs become more predictable. HEJ can run a site survey and build a data-driven TCO model for your mill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key difference between Cyclo and PARAMAX in POM?
Cyclo® excels in shock load and long-term reliability; PARAMAX® suits high-torque, modular ratio needs such as presses & cooling towers.
Do we need an inverter?
For speed control and energy savings, an inverter is recommended for conveyors or applications with varying load/speed.
How to ensure retrofit compatibility?
HEJ supports mechanical & electrical audits, including adapters, baseplates, and control integration for smooth retrofit.Consult & Request a Quote Explore Sumitomo Products Book a Site Survey.