Tag Archives: Conveyors

Fenner Dunlop ACE wins overland conveyor contract from Anglo American

Bulk handling, Coal technology, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , ,

Fenner Dunlop ACE has been contracted to deliver an overland conveyor system for Anglo American’s Aquila coal project in Queensland, Australia.

Aquila is an underground hard coking coal mine near Middlemount, which will extend the life of Anglo American’s existing Capcoal underground operations by six years. It comes with an expected capital cost of $226 million (Anglo American share), with first longwall production of premium quality hard coking coal expected in early 2022, according to Anglo.

Tyler Mitchelson, CEO of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, has previously said Aquila will become one of the most “technologically advanced underground mines in the world”.

Under the new contract award, Fenner Dunlop ACE will undertake the complete design, supply and installation of the ACV002 Overland Conveyor. Works will include the overland structure, belting, electrics and an elevated stacker to load coal onto the site stockpile. Several conveyor components, including mechanical supply, electrical supply and belting, will be manufactured in Australia.

Brendon Harms, Regional Manager ACE QLD, said: “After delivery of the initial underground development works, we are very excited to be working on this project. We believe we have created a culture of delivering on our promises. Completing the design, supply and installation give us a great opportunity to ensure effective conveyor operation for our client.”

Fenner Dunlop ACE will also be responsible for the complete install and commissioning of the overland conveyor, providing even further responsibility and ownership for the project. The overland conveyor project is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2021.

ScrapeTec-Trading boosts conveyor belt product flow with AirScrape

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , ,

A new side sealing system for belt conveyors patented and manufactured in Germany is reducing material spill, dust formation and explosion hazards at transfer points and other critical sections in the conveyor chain, according to ScrapeTec-Trading.

The contact-free AirScrape® conveyor belt skirting system hovers freely above the conveyor belt, meaning skirt friction and belt damage is eliminated and service life extended, the company says.

Thorsten Koth, Sales Director, Scrapetec-Trading, said the system, which encompasses inward facing, hardened-steel diagonal blades, operates according to a new principle where it hovers 1-2 mm on the left and right side above the conveyor belt.

“These blades deflect larger particles inwards, while using the air flow of the conveyor belt and conveyed material to create an inward suction, flowing any dust and fine particles back into the product flow,” Koth said. “Through these diagonally fitted blades and the speed of the running belt, air is drawn from the outside inwards. As a result, neither the dust nor material can escape.”

Conventional skirting is pressed against a conveyor belt to keep dust and material in the middle of the belt, according to Koth. After a period, wear of the skirting and belt can be so severe that material and dust escapes, he said, adding that material spillage at transfer points needs to be removed and regular maintenance of belt skirting and transfer points is necessary.

“With the AirScrape dust-free and contact-free side sealing system for belt conveyors, there is no skirt contact and therefore no belt wear or damage,” he said. “Motor power requirements are reduced as there is no belt-skirt friction and, because there is continuous skirting with no gaps, product loss is minimal.

“Studies show that even three years after installation and with continuous use in harsh conditions, the AirScrape system hardly shows any signs of wear. Operational costs are also reduced because there is no need for spillage collection, regular maintenance, or replacement parts.”

This system comes in pairs of left and right hand two metre, inter-connectable pieces to form any required length, and is available in three different base widths of 100 mm and 55 mm to suit various belt widths and chute sizes. For flexibility on site, this system is completely extendable, according to the company.

AirScrape is fitted using spacers, floating the blades just above the belt, and is attached to the outside of the chute by using existing skirt clamps or a bolt and nut system. It is longitudinally adjustable to follow the contours of conveyor belt rollers and the belt trough angle.

This durable system consists of non-flammable and anti-static polyurethane materials and blades made from Hardox/stainless steel, the company said. FDA-approved materials are also available for specific conveyor handling applications.

Designed and manufactured in Germany by ScrapeTec Trading, the AirScrape system is available from BLTWORLD throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands; from Grupo-ISC throughout South America and from Scrapetec-Trading for the rest of the world.

Flexco lays ground for growth in Europe with bigger Rosenfeld facility

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Flexco’s Europe division has recently moved into a larger complex in Rosenfeld, Germany, as it addresses existing space constraints and allows for future growth of the operation.

Joerg Schairer, Managing Director of Flexco Europe GmbH, said: “The reasons behind our decision to build it were complex. We have always pursued the goal of becoming the most important contact in the sector for operations who want to maximise the productivity of their conveyor systems. The new building will help us to achieve this goal, because it has the space that allows us to manufacture new, innovative products that solve our customers’ biggest conveyor challenges – and we’ll also be able to offer our customers the best possible support in our modern training centre.”

The facility is 10,741 sq.m, with 3,200 sq.m dedicated to administrative functions, while the other 7,500 sq.m houses production, storage, and shipping. The location more than doubles the size of all departments and provides opportunities for workforce expansion, the conveyor-focused specialist said.

“The new facility gives us space for more than 100 attractive jobs,” Schairer said. “We have increased our workforce by 15% in the past 12 months and, in the future, will be doubling the number of apprenticeships we offer.”

With construction of the new building, Flexco was looking for a more modern, open design that would optimise the exchange of information between its employees and customers, it said.

“Since Flexco has a long history of manufacturing innovative, high-quality products, the design team wanted to make sure the use of modern technologies were high on the list of requirements,” the company said. The resulting facility encompasses all these features, with more to come, it added.

“We’ll be developing the site into one of the most modern competence centres in Europe for belt conveyor productivity in a variety of industries and applications,” Schairer said. “We understand the challenges of customers – from food, to parcel handling, to laundry, to mining, and more – and support them in finding safer, more efficient solutions. Flexco University, online training courses, webinars, on-site trainings, and industrial networks are just a few of the offerings through which our customers can benefit from our experience and know-how.”

Superior powers up TeleStacker conveyors for remote applications

Bulk handling, Mineral processing, Power supply for mines, , , ,

Superior Industries has introduced a standard new set of TeleStacker® conveyor models with onboard power.

The US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems said  the self-contained, radial, telescoping conveyors are equipped with a 96 kW Cat 4.4 Tier 4 Final engine, with the most popular applications for the new models being remote quarrying and mining sites where access to permanent electrical power transmission is not practical.

Today, self-contained TeleStacker Conveyors are designed in 36-inch (914 mm) belt widths and fully-extended operating lengths of 110, 130 and 150 ft (34 m, 40 m and 46 m). Superior says its engineering team will collaborate with bulk handlers requiring custom widths and lengths.

Other standard features include XTP swing axles, hydraulic drives for the main and stinger conveyors, Superior brand idlers and pulleys, and an onboard counterweight. Additionally, the manufacturer offers dozens of options to match the TeleStacker Conveyor to its environment, it said.

“Since Superior Industries produced the first highly mobile, road-portable TeleStacker Conveyor in 1997, the company has continually taken telescoping radial stacking technology to next-level effectiveness,” it said. “In countless applications worldwide, TeleStacker Conveyors deliver cost-efficient material handling solutions that boost stockpile volumes and loading capacities, while preventing material segregation and additional material handling, plus eliminating costly loader and haul truck use.”

ASGCO on the move in Pennsylvania as bulk material handling system demand increases

Bulk handling, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

ASGCO will be expanding and moving its headquarters to a newly purchased and soon to be built operation in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, it has announced.

The company, which operates at 301 W Gordon Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will be moving to 730 Bangor Road in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 2021, it said.

ASGCO is a manufacturer, distributor and service provider of proprietary conveyor and screening equipment and accessories that improve the safety and performance of bulk material handling systems, it says.

ASGCO’s most recent eastern Pennsylvania expansion involved the purchase of 19 acres (7.7 ha) and now is building a new facility to meet growing demand for its products and services, it said. The new facility will be 194,000 total sq.ft (18,023 sq.m) with 30,000 sq.ft of offices, wellness, and training areas, and the rest dedicated to fabrication, manufacturing, assembly, distribution and service departments.

Construction of the new facility will begin next month and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021, the company says.

All 90 current Allentown and Nazareth employees are expected to move to the new building, the company said. “While the relocation itself will not immediately result in any new positions, the company anticipates a 30% increase in personnel based on projected sales growth expectations,” it added.

Martin Engineering conveys speciality contractor message

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, , , , ,

Using a specialty contractor for installation and ongoing maintenance of conveyor belts contributes to safer and more efficient production – with less unscheduled downtime – and, in the long run, saves money and reduces injuries, according to Martin Engineering.

“Performance problems with conveyor components and systems can frequently be traced to improper installation or insufficient maintenance,” the bulk material handling innovator says. “It is recommended that the component manufacturer or expert contractor install equipment on both new and retrofit applications.”

Serious performance problems stem from a lack of proper maintenance, which is exacerbated by several factors.

Training and retention

The time and resources required to train employees on equipment and certify them to conduct certain procedures such as confined space entry, electrical work, etc can be a significant ongoing expense, Martin Engineering says.

As workers become more experienced and gain certifications to properly maintain efficient systems, their value in the marketplace rises. This leads to retention becoming an issue.

“In contrast, specialty contractors must be experienced, knowledgeable and certified to conduct the appointed maintenance, and it’s up to the contracted company to retain and train that staff,” the company says.

Maintenance danger zones

Due to a greater emphasis on safety and the expensive consequences of unscheduled downtime, bulk handlers are being more meticulous about conveyor operation and maintenance, according to Martin Engineering.

This increased scrutiny includes regular cleaning of spillage, improved dust control, and additional monitoring and maintenance, which expose employees to a moving system more often. These changes introduce a variety of hazards.

Conveyor danger zones where work injuries are likely to occur include:

  • Loading zone;
  • Discharge zone;
  • Mechanical/electrical equipment;
  • Rotating pinch/shear points;
  • Underneath the conveyor; and
  • Unguarded reach-in points.
Danger zones exist along the entire length of the belt, many at maintenance points

“Most common conveyor-related issues are found across a wide range of industries, and personnel who work around the equipment on a daily basis often become complacent about the conditions, viewing issues as an unavoidable outcome of production rather than abnormalities in need of resolution,” the company says.

“An experienced maintenance contractor recognises these problems and may present solutions that internal resources have overlooked. The improvements are designed to reduce employee exposure, improve workplace safety and maximise productivity.”

Service contract types

Maintenance programs differ by provider and may be customisable to suit individual customers, but they generally fall into three categories: inspection/report, cleaning/servicing and full service.

A scheduled inspection and report contract results in a specialty contractor coming to site to thoroughly examine a system – from belt health to equipment function to the surrounding environment – and identify potential issues. A report is produced that presents findings and offers solutions.

The cleaning and servicing contracts are perhaps the most common, Martin Engineering says.

From spillage and silo cleaning to monitoring and changing belt cleaner blades, services can be very specific and fill gaps where maintenance crews might be overstretched. “The first advantage to this is that a conveyor can be surveyed without requiring the attention of plant personnel, freeing them to go about their usual tasks,” the company says. “A second advantage is that the outside surveyor is an expert in proper conveyor practices and current governmental regulations.”

At the highest level, a full service and maintenance contract sends trained technicians who take accountability for monitoring, maintaining and reporting on every level of system function. They replace wear components when needed and propose required upgrades to maximise efficiency, safety and uptime.

“This provides operators with cost certainty, making it easier to project and manage the cost of operation,” the company says.

Return on investment (ROI)

Increasing speeds and volumes on older conveyor systems designed for lower production levels contribute to workplace injuries and increased downtime. Capital investments in newer semi- or fully-automated systems designed for higher throughput require less labour, but the maintenance staff needs to be highly trained by specialised technicians.

Maintenance service contracts deliver the best ROI, according to Martin Engineering, through a series of factors:

  • Compliance – the contractor points out compliance issues and offers solutions prior to expensive fines and violations;
  • Injuries/liability – contractors rely on a strict set of safety procedures to conduct maintenance, reducing liability;
  • Efficiency – maintenance service contracts focus on improving and sustaining uptime with the least capital investment possible;
  • Consistency – contractors have a clear directive and are not affected by internal factors (labour disputes, morale, etc); and
  • Cost of operation – with a defined scope of work on a set budget, along with clear reporting and recommendations on pending needs, operators can better forecast improvements and control labour costs, further improving ROI over time.

Maintenance service contracts are not just a way of controlling and potentially reducing the cost of operation, they are also a safety mechanism.

For example, one case study showed a 79% reduction in lost time incidents and a 40% improvement in production using specialty services, which demonstrated payback in days from an annual specialty maintenance contract.

“Workloads may preclude staff from maintaining proper compliance or they just might not notice some violations,” the company says. “Outside resources take ownership of the plant’s efficient and productive use of the conveyor system and strive to improve conveyor efficiency, maximise equipment life and safety to add value to the operation.”

At the core of the issue is lower operating costs and improved production. The work should match or improve efficiency regarding downtime and throughput. If the criteria of compliance, cost savings and efficiency are met, then the maintenance service contract has provided a tenable ongoing solution, Martin Engineering concluded.

PROK conveyor pulleys to feature at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge magnetite project

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mineral project development, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Global conveyor components manufacturer PROK has been awarded a major contract for the design, manufacture and supply of conveyor pulleys at the Iron Bridge Magnetite project, a joint venture between Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Iron Bridge and Formosa Steel IB Pty. Ltd, near Port Hedland in Western Australia.

PROK will produce around 170 complete pulleys from its Bayswater production facility in Perth, Western Australia. The pulleys will be installed across 25 new conveyors at the Iron Bridge site.

PROK says it is an expert in conveyor equipment and specialises in solutions that help mining companies across the globe keep their conveyor systems running efficiently and safely.

PROK General Manager, Wade Guelfi, said the Iron Bridge contract award highlighted PROK’s high level of technical capability and manufacturing experience.

“As a recognised leader in large engineered pulleys, we were a perfect fit for this type of project,” he said. “Our advanced in-house engineering team worked closely with the client to design a pulley solution that meets all project requirements.”

The pulleys range in sizes from 500-1,200 mm diameter and will be delivered in six stages starting in January 2021, the company said.

The contract forms part of Stage 2 of the Iron Bridge project, which involves construction of a large-scale process plant and port infrastructure to support 22 Mt/y (wet) of magnetite production. Stage 1 (pictured), completed successfully, was achieved by building and operating a full-scale pilot plant at the North Star mine site. This pilot project included the use of a dry crushing and grinding circuit, which FMG plans to leverage in stage two.

In FMG’s March quarter results, released late last month, the company said the $2.6 billion project was progressing on schedule and budget, with first concentrate production planned in the first half of calendar year 2022.

“We are excited to be part of this project and proud to be supporting Fortescue with heavy-duty engineered pulleys manufactured right here in Western Australia,” Guelfi added. “We look forward to working closely with FMG as the project progresses.”

REMA TIP TOP adds more conveyor belting to Monadelphous South Flank contract

Bulk handling, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

REMA TIP TOP Australia says it has been contracted by Monadelphous to install a further 24 km of conveyor belting and provide expert splicing services for the “outflows infrastructure” at BHP’s South Flank iron ore project, in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

It follows a contract to install more than 50 km of conveyor belting at South Flank that was awarded last year. Monadelphous, meanwhile, was awarded a major infrasture package for the mine build in February 2019.

The new contract is the third in a series of agreements that sees REMA TIP TOP supporting Monadelphous to deliver key infrastructure projects for the region’s largest miners.

This includes an agreement to provide splicing capabilities across more than 10 km of new overland conveyor and modifications to three existing plant conveyors at Rio Tinto’s West Angelas Deposits C & D project.

REMA TIP TOP Industry Australia CEO, Michel Ciepelinski, said: “This new contract is a testament to Monadelphous’ faith in our ability to deliver. We have demonstrated that we have both the skills and capacity to provide expert services in full conveyor solutions and this new agreement extends our successful relationship.

“Now, more than ever before, we are committed to helping Australian industry keep moving and its projects like this that are critical in ensuring our economy and the nation maintains momentum.”

The new contract will see the delivery of belt installation works across 13 conveyors, which tie into the existing BHP Mining Area C stock yard.

Terex ups its bulk handling capability with ProStack launch

Bulk handling, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , ,

Terex has launched a new range of products to, it says, address the needs of the bulk material handling and product stockpiling industries.

The new ProStack range has been designed for key markets and applications including aggregates, mining, recycling, agriculture, ports and terminals, and many other bulk material handling industries, it said.

Steven Aiken, Global Product Line Director of ProStack, says ProStack is a tailored range of mobile bulk handling solutions, which includes feeders, telescopic conveyors and truck unloaders.

“These products have been specifically developed and built for large port and larger-scale bulk handling environments,” he said.

The company sees an opportunity through ProStack to bring value to customers in these industries by providing high-performance equipment that is simple to operate and maintain, automated during operation and requiring minimal setup time, it said.

“High performance is at the heart of the brand and, as new products are developed, the focus will be on moving the most amount of material, cost effectively in the shortest time possible,” the company said.

Aitken added: “We want to provide high capacity, intelligent machines to the bulk handling market.”

ProStack enhances the existing core range of conveyors sold by Terex dealers globally.

“Regardless of the type of job, mobile conveyors can improve safety by reducing traffic levels on site and save customers money by eliminating the double handling of material, coupled with low operating and maintenance costs,” Terex said.

The ProStack launch portfolio consists of a Bulk Reception Feeder Range, the Hornets (pictured), and a Telescopic Conveyor Range, the Telsons, both designed to include a multitude of options that tailor these machines to meet customer demand.

The Bulk Reception Feeders can receive high volume material feeds, delivering uniformed material flow onto secondary material handling systems. The 10-12 feeder has a 1,200 mm wide belt design that can handle up to 1,000 t/h and discharge the material at a maximum height of 3.1 m, according to the company. The larger 15-18 feeder has an 1,800 mm belt and can handle 1,500 t/h discharging at a height of 3.5 m.

The range of radial telescopic conveyors, the Telsons, are available from 42 m up to 58 m in length with capacities up to 1,500 t/h in standard specification. They come in a portable wheeled format and are enhanced with on-board hydraulic systems to allow for quick, efficient site deployment. Advanced PLC automation and radio remote control of the radial, telescopic and luffing movements, meanwhile, allow creation of large precise desegregated stockpiles, loading material carrying vessels, barges and ships or being integrated into existing bulk handling operations, the company said.

ProStack products will be manufactured in existing MP Centers of Excellence in Northern Ireland, with additional support and service from facilities in North America and India, Terex said.

“We look forward to adding more products to the portfolio in 2020 and serving our new customers to a very high standard,” Aiken concluded.

Kinder engineers a case for high performance plant, equipment in bulk handling ops

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

As mining companies continue to search for cost efficiencies at their operations against a backdrop of subdued metal prices and uncertainty related to the onset of COVID-19, bulk materials handling equipment provider, Kinder Australia, is warning them to focus on sourcing engineered and high-performance components that have been optimised for the application at hand.

Today’s global economy means when sourcing bulk handling equipment, operators are spoilt for choice with the vast selection of conveyor component suppliers and access to highly engineered and innovative solutions to advance their end to end handling processes, Kinder Australia says.

“For most operators, price alone is often the motivator for purchase,” it said. “However, buyer beware, lower price products are more often ‘copycat’ and ‘knockoffs’ offering on-par standards and functionality benefits to the original product.

“The reality of inferior, lower price copycats is the untold costly, irreversible damage these products can have to the conveyor structure, conveyor belts itself and the unscheduled maintenance and productivity downtime to replace these inferior products…only to be discovered shortly after the installation hurdle.”

When considering cost cutting on a corporate level, many plant and equipment suppliers are also challenged by the dilemmas of large corporate purchasing department heads who are ignorant of the engineering differences between genuine and counterfeit products, and quite often make their purchasing decisions based solely on price, often at the expense of quality, Kinder Australia says.

Trusted quality

In the case of lower cost polyurethane skirting and anti-wear lining products, on the surface, they look and feel the same as the genuine engineered polyurethane skirting.

“However, conduct a quick internet search and you’ll soon realise the countless suppliers using sub-standard/cheaper manufacturing practices to design, manufacture and market far inferior polyurethane products and conveyor components and pass them off as high-quality engineered equivalents,” the company said.

The use of non-genuine engineered conveyor components can lead to frequent production stoppages, belt wear damage, other unpleasant material spillage and safety hazards, according to the company.

Neil Kinder, Kinder Australia CEO, says: “The mark of quality in our industry is ISO 9001 certification. These international standards provide assurance and commitment to our diverse customer base that Kinder provides highly customer-focused bulk materials handling products and solutions that are safe, reliable and of high-quality standards.”

He added: “Kinder Australia partners with an independent laboratory to facilitate and conduct ASTM D 4060 quality testing and certification of competitive lower cost conveyor components”.

The “Taber Test” carried out by independent testing laboratory Excel Plas, showed Kinder Australia’s K-Superskirt® Engineered Polyurethane abrades less by comparison with the competitor’s polyurethane and is therefore four times more durable than the competitor’s polyurethane tested, according to the company.

This polyurethane has been successfully and effectively installed in a multitude of applications, including the harshest mining environments, delivering significant cost and labour savings to operators globally, Kinder Australia said.

Conveyor planning & engineering design

Conveyor engineering design focuses on providing solutions to customers issues around three key areas: productivity, safety and cost reduction, Kinder Australia says.

Materials handling operators are constantly challenged by increasing production outputs and cost reduction targets. Ensuring the recommended solution is fit for purpose and practical from a cost, installation and maintenance perspective are also key engineering considerations.

Cameron Portelli, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Kinder Australia, says: “The issue of poor belt life is often encountered during on-site evaluation; it’s one of the top conveyor problems seen by our mechanical and field applications engineers.”

Conveyor Belt Support Systems are designed to protect this expensive and important asset, according to the company.

At the critical conveyor transfer points, having the full force of the impact absorbed rather than resisted means the impact load zone belt support system below the belt takes the hit rather than the conveyor belt itself. This effectively improves and extends the wear life of all conveyor components such as the belt, idlers and structure life and makes for a quieter transfer in serious applications.

Kinder’s K-Dynamic Impact Idler/Cradle Systems (pictured) target conveyor transfers as “burden is being accelerated due to fall and changes in direction from one system to the next which prevents steady state flow and requires additional thought into supporting the belt to improve the life of the belt and transfer components”, says Portelli.

“It would be wise to start from the problem at hand and work backwards to isolate the root cause. This may involve chute design improvements before any transfer chute sealing options should be looked at.”

Another regular occurrence encountered on-site are grooves on the top cover created by product getting under hard and soft skirts, particularly at the transfer point.

This problem can often be solved through the installation of a combination of conveyor skirting and sealing & conveyor belt support system, which can also effectively eliminate dust and material spillage and create work environments that are productive, clean and safe, Kinder Australia said.

This is where SOLIDWORKS® Simulation Finite Element Analysis, an upgrade to the basic software licence, can accurately predict and design solutions that mimic real-world applications and scenarios.

“With this powerful information, industry lead mechanical engineers have the necessary tools to analyse results, plan and expertly optimise future designs, geared at maximising productivity improvements and efficiency gains,” the company said.

When planning, designing, and recommending solutions, safety is an integral part in delivering operational productivity and efficiency, with engineers ethically and legally responsible for the solutions they recommend and implement.

“In some cases, if all reasonable risks are not considered, the risk of legal action against the company and the individual could have massive financial ramifications, along with the ongoing damage to the brand and stance in the industry,” Kinder Australia said.

Portelli says all of Kinder Australia’s new and innovative designs are stringently risk assessed for hazards at the critical installation, operational and maintenance stages.

“Through the effective use of SOLIDWORKS, Simulation Finite Element Analysis tools can potentially reduce any ongoing risks by analysing the specific areas where a design can be better improved,” he said.

Portelli elaborated on this: “This software can also assist clients to see the overall bigger picture, as well as take into consideration future installation and maintenance issues.

“Although SOLIDWORKS doesn’t produce all scenarios, it can be a beneficial tool for starting a conversation with clients. This mostly centres around how the solution will function after installation and its serviceability.”

In recent years, materials handling conveyor components supplier Kinder Australia has made significant investments in engineering design through the expansion of its mechanical engineering team to three staff. The engineering team’s capabilities extend to high proficiency in Helix Conveyor Design and AutoCAD, it said.

These tools can help make decisions on the drive power requirements; belt tensions and a suitably specified belt; specifications for suitably sizes idler rolls; take-up dimensions and gravity take up weight requirements; specifications for a suitable gearbox; and the design of pulleys to meet standards AS1403 (shafts) and limit stresses in the shells.

Neil Kinder concluded: “For the past 30 years, the driver for the business has been the resolution and advancement of our customers end-to-end handling processes, harnessing our engineering expertise and keeping abreast of innovative and emerging industry technologies.

“Developing a connection with our diverse customer base who have differing application needs and expectations through on-site visits, our highly technical mechanical engineering and field applications team become better at solving our customers problem and measuring up the solution.”