Mato Products, a subsidiary of the Multotec Group and a TUV-accredited company, claims to be the only South African manufacturer of mechanical conveyor belt fastening systems. Its exhibit at Electra Mining Africa 2010 demonstrated that the complete Mato conveyor belt fastening system combines a lacer, cutter, skiver, lacing pins, wavemaster and clips to produce a cost effective, durable alternative to hot and cold splicing. A major advantage of the Mato high quality belt fastening system is that a conveyor belt can be joined or repaired within just 30 minutes, a significant saving in downtime.

A total of four fastener sizes cover all belt requirements needed by the mining industry and all have a low profile for better scraper interaction, as well as less wear and reduced noise on pulleys and idlers. A number of accessories are also available to supplement the belt fastening system, including a novel belt cleaning system and plate fasteners.

The conveyor belt fastening clips are manufactured at the company’s South African ISO 9001:2008 accredited facility using high quality technology on the only machine of its type in Africa. The strength of the Mato clip joint can be traced to its engineering design whereby a minimum pressure of 3 t is exerted by the lacer on each clip and staple as it is inserted in the conveyor, pressing the plates into the surface of the belt and pushing the staples through the carcass and two-stage bending. The interference fit ensures that the fasteners have considerable pullout strength and resistance to the splice being ripped out of the belt.

Mato also provides technical assistance and training in the correct use of the system which ensures that the strength, integrity and durability of the system is not compromised during installation.