Solving a Weight, Cost, and Maintenance Problem for an Industrial OEM

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Customer Overview

A regional manufacturer of industrial laundry equipment uses their products to lift bags of linen from the floor level to overhead gantry systems, moving them to different stations throughout the building for washing, drying, and folding.

The Challenge

The customer's prototype lift system needed to carry loads of up to 1,000 pounds at 1 meter per second. Depending upon the facility and use of the mechanism, typical applications range from 30 to 100 feet of lift.

They were currently using a rack and pinion system, which required periodic greasing and oiling in order to maintain proper lubrication of the system. They were looking to achieve the following:

Lowering the overall weight of the machines
Lowering costs
Eliminate the need for grease and oil for lubrication of the rack and pinion system

The Solution
Working hand in hand with a long-standing supplier partner, the Baldwin Supply Team met with the customer on-site to help with belt tensioning on the prototype system.

The team used a handheld acoustic sensor to measure sound waves generated by the belt under tension. Much like tuning a guitar string - the sound changes depending on where the load sits along the belt - the sensor made it possible to identify the correct tension by "listening" to the belt itself.

The belt used in this design was made with nylon teeth to help reduce noise. Baldwin Supply and Gates, the supplier, had been developing this belt together for three years, and this test marked the point where it was finally ready to be tried on the customer's equipment.

Business Impact
By replacing the rack and pinion design with a timing belt-driven system, the equipment is built to deliver:

A lighter overall machine, since the belt-driven approach removes the mass of the rack and pinion hardware
Lower cost compared to the previous design
No ongoing need for grease and oil to lubricate the lift mechanism, removing a recurring maintenance task
Reduced noise during operation, thanks to the nylon-tooth belt design
Guided, stable movement of the load, supported by the linear rails and bearings working alongside the belt

For equipment that operates continuously in demanding environments like commercial laundry facilities, a lighter, quieter, lower-maintenance lift system is designed to reduce the day-to-day cost and complexity of keeping machines running.

Why Baldwin Supply

At Baldwin Supply, the goal isn’t simply to sell components; it’s to be a trusted, long-term partner to the customers we serve.

In this case, Baldwin’s role was rooted in listening first: understanding the OEM’s business model, growth goals, and internal constraints before proposing a solution. The Baldwin team worked collaboratively alongside the OEM, aligning engineering expertise, application knowledge, and responsive customer service to support the manufacturer’s success.

By acting as an extension of the OEM’s team, Baldwin Supply helped turn a complex technical challenge into a scalable business opportunity. That level of partnership, combined with reliable execution and ongoing support, is what customers can expect when they work with Baldwin Supply as their preferred business partner.