Underwater cutting wheels
Wherever accurate mining and soil excavation is required, VOSTA LMG's Underwater Cutting Wheel (UCW) is the most suitable dredging tool due to its high pick-up efficiency. Due to the UCW's direction of rotation from top to bottom, the cut soil is fed directly into the suction mouth of the dredge pump and pre-accelerates the material to support the transport process.
A compact design with an integrated drive system makes for a high wheel torque in conjunction with lower power losses. UCWs made by VOSTA LMG create high specific cutting forces so that all kinds of soil, even sticky, compact clay, may be dredged.
The two identical halves of VOSTA LMG's UCW generate the same cutting forces in both dredge slewing directions, ensuring a high and constant dredging efficiency along with reduced vibration and stresses on the dredge's side winch system.
VOSTA LMG's UCW is equipped with a large number of cutting blades, which ensure a small chip thickness, smooth cutting operation and separation of oversize particles. Each cutting blade can be adapted to any kind of dredging task by installing suitable teeth taken from VOSTA LMG's proven range of cutting teeth.
A special, automatically operated change-over flap installed inside the suction mouth of VOSTA LMG's UCW guarantees a high mixture concentration. The suction mouth of the inactive UCW half is closed by the change-over flap so that the surrounding water is not drawn in from this side.
The use of deflectors adapted to the inner contour of each UCW half provides a self-cleaning effect and ensures that the UCW cannot become clogged, even when dredging adhesive soil. All wear and tear components exposed to the mixture transport (e.g. suction mouth, change-over flap, suction channel) are easily accessible and replaceable, ensuring minimum downtime.
Enquiries: cutting@vostalmg.com
The standard range of VOSTA LMG UCWs is divided into a hydraulic line and an electric line. The selection of the right cutting wheel for the required dredging task is dependent on various factors, such as:
- Mechanical and chemical properties of the soil to be dredged
- Available torque and speed of the cutting wheel
- Kinematics and shape of the cutting tool
- Kinematics of the dredger (side winch force and speed, spud position, spud feed, dredging depth, etc.)
Please contact us if you require support with the selection of the UCW.
Hydraulic line:
|
Type |
A [mm] |
B [mm] |
C [mm] |
D [mm] |
Nominal power at wheel [kW] |
Maximum revolution [rpm] |
Effective soil output [m3/h] |
Weight [kg] |
|
UCW 80 C |
Ø 800 |
150-250 |
850 |
1000 |
30-50 |
30 |
180 |
2.700 |
|
UCW 125 C |
Ø 1250 |
250-300 |
1050 |
1130 |
65-110 |
26 |
220 |
3.500 |
|
UCW 180 C |
Ø 1800 |
300-450 |
1620 |
1590 |
120-150 |
22 |
440 |
7.000 |
|
UCW 250 C |
Ø 2500 |
400-650 |
2045 |
2300 |
230-350 |
20 |
1000 |
20.000 |
|
UCW 335 C |
Ø 3350 |
600-850 |
2800 |
3000 |
400-500 |
16 |
2100 |
40.000 |
|
All sizes are approximate. Other types available on request. |
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Electric line:
|
Type |
A [mm] |
B [mm] |
C [mm] |
D [mm] |
Nominal power at wheel [kW] |
Maximum revolution [rpm] |
Effective soil output [m3/h] |
Weight [kg] |
|
UCW 400 |
Ø 4000 |
600-850 |
4900 |
2800 |
500-750 |
13,5 |
2400 |
80.000 |
|
UCW 450 |
Ø 4500 |
800-1000 |
5800 |
3200 |
750-1000 |
13,0 |
3000 |
98.000 |
|
UCW 520 |
Ø 5200 |
850-1000 |
6000 |
4000 |
1000-1500 |
10,0 |
3900 |
186.000 |
|
UCW 600 |
Ø 6000 |
900-1200 |
6500 |
4500 |
1500-2000 |
7,0 |
5200 |
198.000 |
|
All sizes are approximate. Other types available on request. |
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To meet specific dredging requirements, the VOSTA LMG UCW may be equipped with several options. Among others these are:
- Different types of cutting teeth adapted to the type of soil
- Armour welding at exposed areas
- Wear liners at suction channel when dredging highly abrasive materials
- Special thick-surface coating, suitable for underwater applications
- Special seal kit for compact UCW when operating with environmentally friendly hydraulic oil in sensitive areas
- Adapter piece to fit an existing cutter ladder
a. the cutting wheel halves
The two cutting wheel halves are of a heavy cast steel construction with U-shaped cutting blades The material is highly resistant to wear and weldable. The cutting wheel halves are mounted on a horizontal shaft by a high-torque conical press fitting secured by screws and protected against wear. The cutting wheel blades can be equipped with welded-on adapters for the teeth.
b. the drive unit
The drive unit consists either of an electric motor and a gearbox (classic type), or of a (pair of) high torque, slow speed hydraulic motor(s) mounted on the main shaft (compact type).
c. the suction channel
The suction channel consists of the suction mouth and the suction pipe. The suction mouth is designed to effectively draw in the soil. It is divided into two chambers, each one oriented to one cutting wheel half. A fixed dividing wall placed in the centre separates the chambers. The two suction chambers are shaped according to the inner contour of the cutting blades. For easy inspection and maintenance, the suction channel can be opened from below.
d. the change-over flap
The change-over flap forms an integral part of the suction channel. It ensures that, depending on the dredge's slewing direction, the respective chamber of the suction mouth is connected to the suction line leading to the dredge pump. If the dredge is slewing to starboard, the changeover flap will close the port side half, and vice versa.
e. the main body
The main body is executed as a sturdy welded steel frame structure, supporting the main shaft and the wheel halves, the drive elements and the suction channel. The sturdy frame is designed to cope with all forces resulting from the cutting process. At the frame a flange connection is provided, allowing quick mounting/dismounting on the dredger's ladder.
