Bellows Protects Components
Overhaul provides aesthetics to snowmaking machine for 2014 Russian Winter Olympics.A special bellows improves the aesthetics of snowmaking machines while also protecting their components and retaining heat to keep the components thawed. The bellows is used exclusively on the Puma® snowmaker, made by Snow Machines, Inc. (SMI), a supplier of snow machines, snowmaking equipment, and construction and engineering services. The Puma is one of the machines SMI is supplying for the 2014 Russian Winter Olympics.
Previously, the area between the machine’s rotating barrel and the components below it were unprotected, leaving the components exposed to the elements. With a new design, SMI looked to improve the machine’s aesthetics while also protecting the components. The solution was a bellows designed to keep the snowmaking equipment covered while the barrel rotates from 0-45 degrees.
The bellows was designed and manufactured by A&A Manufacturing Co., Inc., New Berlin, WI, a specialist in the design and manufacture of protective covers for a wide range of applications. The solution combines a blend of bellows and cone covers to fit the machine, which also protects the machine against freezing temperatures and intense UV exposure. By retaining heat from the machine’s on-board compressor and heaters, the components remain thawed. The bellows is made from a special viton-coated nylon material that is colorcoordinated to match the machine’s housing.
The Puma was designed with a goal of maximizing snow production over a wide range of conditions, especially in marginal temperatures. It will interface with automation and control software for optimum performance in any snowmaking weather. The unit is equipped with an onboard aspirated weather station, air and water pressure monitoring, and automated flow control. Each unit employs a convenient touch-screen panel at eye level for manual control when desired, and the Puma can be configured to communicate with a central computer via hard wire (copper, CAT 5 Ethernet, or fiber optic), or by radio. The machine is suited to central intelligence (a single computer or control room for all snow guns) or distributed intelligence (some type of computer to manage each snow gun, pod, or ski trail).
The Puma’s level of automation allows operators to raise and lower the barrel or adjust the oscillation arc up to 359° on any number of machines from a central command station, helping to deliver pinpoint control with minimal labor. The result is better snow distribution and reduced manhours needed for grooming. The blended design of the bellows helps protect vital components as the machine’s barrel moves through its cycle.
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Posted by Bruce at 20 Feb 2012 
Categories: Entertainment Engineering
Tags: Bellows Overhaul snowmaking machine 2014 Olympics Puma Snow Machines Inc. A&A Manufacturing Co.
Categories: Entertainment Engineering
Tags: Bellows Overhaul snowmaking machine 2014 Olympics Puma Snow Machines Inc. A&A Manufacturing Co.
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