Tag Archives: Flexco

Flexco instils increased impact energy durability on DRX 4500 system

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

Flexco recently announced the addition of the DRX™ 4500 to its line of impact beds and skirting systems for conveyors, upping the impact energy this bulk handling equipment can take in certain applications.

By using Velocity Reduction Technology™, this new rendition gives heavy-duty belt conveyor systems the ability to withstand impact energy from 1,500 to 4,500 lb/ft (200-600 kg/m), a figure that is significant compared with current market standards, Flexco says.

“The DRX™ 4500 is set to make a major impact on our partners in the heavy-duty mining sector,” Flexco Product Manager, Kevin Fales, says. “Most impact beds on the market stop their guarantee of impact energy at around 2,000 lb/ft. Not only has Flexco been the first major player in this space to commit to a 3,000 lb/ft rating, but the DRX 4500 now blows past that mark with 4,500 lb/ft. Rest assured, when you choose to use a Flexco impact bed, it’s not a guess as to whether you will be able consistently handle loading onto your conveyor belt, it’s a promise.”

Protecting the conveyor belt at the load zone is crucial for getting a longer life out of both the belt and the entire conveyor system. The DRX 4500 effectively provides protection for a heavy-duty facility’s entire structure, all while working for a litany of different belt conditions. Sites can expect to use the DRX 4500 for belt speeds up to 1,000 feet per minute (5 m/sec), operate within temperatures ranging from -40°F to 180°F (-40°C to 82°C), and work with belt widths measuring 36 in to 96 in (1,050-2,400 mm). The DRX 4500 is available in 5 in (1,500 mm) bed lengths as wellas in troughing angles from 20- and 35-degrees, giving users a multitude of options that help to contain dust and loose sediment dispersion at the load zone.

The Flexco DRX 4500 can be used in heavy-duty applications within industries like aggregate, cement, coal, copper, open-pit/hard-rock mining and underground mining.

Flexco to showcase the latest innovations in belt conveyor solutions at MINExpo 2024

Bulk handling, Mining equipment, Mining events, ,

Flexco says it will present the newly released FXC™ Steel Cord Belt Fastening System and the soon-to-be-released 900 Series Belt Cutter/Skiver at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, in September, as part of a display covering the latest innovations in the world of belt conveyor solutions.

“MINExpo 2024 is an excellent opportunity for the mining industry to familiarise themselves with our FXC Steel Cord Belt Fastening System,” Flexco Product Manager, Franklin Moore, said. “A major issue that heavy-duty sites often deal with is reacting to unplanned downtime. Consequently, our team set out to develop a solution that could help; that led us to creating the FXC. Overall, the FXC allows users to get their steel cord belts back into operation quickly, drastically reducing the effects of downtime which helps increase the site’s bottom line. We’ve already seen positive results in the field, and we can’t wait to see what our peers have to say at the show.”

The Flexco booth will also feature the 900 Series Belt Cutter/Skiver.

Flexco Product Manager, Kevin Fales, said: “We’re excited to feature the 900 Series Belt Cutter/Skiver at this year’s MINExpo, as it will be the first time that many in the industry get a chance to see it in-person. With updated clamp knobs, a drive handle with manual and powered drill capabilities and a new design that allows operators to simply slide the belt forward from a cut to skive position, sites can unlock a more consistent, safe and quality mechanical belt fastening installation process with our latest belt maintenance tool. This will be a great chance for our industry partners to get a hands-on feel for its capabilities, and our team cannot wait to answer all our attendees’ questions.”

The FXC and the 900 Series will be among the tools that will be used in product demonstrations in the Flexco booth, alongside displays of other solutions like Flexco’s industry-leading mechanical belt fastening systems and the digital belt cleaner monitoring platform Flexco Elevate®.

Flexco to address conveyor splicing, cleaning, tracking and belt slippage needs at MINExpo

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

Flexco has announced its plans to exhibit at MINExpo 2021, held in Las Vegas, September 13-15, 2021, where it will be addressing splicing, cleaning, tracking and belt slippage needs.

In addition, Flexco will be introducing visitors to Flexco Elevate™ Belt Conveyor Intelligence™, a real-time belt cleaner monitoring system that, it says, harnesses the power of predictive analytics so mining operations can remotely gather critical insights that optimise belt conveyor productivity and heighten operational efficiencies.

Flexco, at the show, will be using a live, interactive dashboard to showcase how the wireless platform transfers data insights to an intuitive, cloud-based dashboard via edge technology, allowing remote monitoring of belt cleaners. Attendees will be able to see how belt cleaner challenges are communicated, analysed, and resolved using information gathered from sites across their operations.

Visitors will also be able to stop by the Flexco booth to learn how the company can help operations optimise their belt conveyors using some of our newest innovations in fastener technology.

Among those innovations is the Flexco® XP™ Staple Fastening System, which combines an enhanced applicator tool with the longest-wearing staple fastener and hinge pin on the market to produce a superior belt splice in the toughest mining applications.

Another product debuting at MINExpo under the Flexco line of mechanical fastening systems is the Super-Screw® Flexible Rubber Fastening System. Offered as part of a strategic partnership in North America with MLT Minet Lacing Technology, Super-Screw offers a faster and easier alternative to vulcanisation since it can be installed regardless of the location or accessibility of the conveyor belt and in any weather condition, the company says.

In an effort to tackle the fastest speeds, highest tonnage, and widest belts in the industry, Flexco will also be unveiling its newest belt conveyor products for carryback control. The MXS Extreme-Duty Secondary Cleaner complements its MXP Extreme-Duty Precleaner, with the duo acting as a total cleaning solution along the beltline in the most extreme mining applications, the company says. Handling belt speeds up to 10 m/s and belt widths from 1,050 to 3,000 mm, the rugged, oversized mainframes can withstand extreme pressures, while the built-in lift points and modular design make it easier to carry and install.

The unique design of the blades on the new MXD Diagonal and MXV V-Plows will also be featured at MINExpo. Capable of handling the harshest materials in the mining industry, these plows provide all the strength needed for belts with large tonnages. The design also ensures extra care has been taken to ensure the tail pulley is protected and material does not slip under the plow or jump over it, Flexco says.

In terms of maintenance tools, Flexco intends to introduce its new TUG™ HD® Belt Clamps, which are designed to secure the belt for repair, meeting the most stringent safety test standards.

Available in 6 (5.4 t) and 8 ton (7.3 t) versions, TUG HD Belt Clamps provide even tensioning across the entire belt width for ultimate strength. Modular components allow for increased versatility and portability.

New to this year’s show is also the Powered FSK™ Belt Skiver, a powered version of a manual skiver. Capable of removing belt top covers in a fraction of the time, the Powered FSK Belt Skiver is perfect for safe, easy skiving that produces a stronger splice, according to the company. The FSK is compact and easy to use anywhere on the job site, with a blade that is safely enclosed during skiving operations. Used on rubber-covered belts with top covers of 4.5 mm or more, the FSK Skiver provides skives from 1.5-9.5 mm deep in a single pass.

The booth will feature a full-size conveyor, as well as interactive displays to help attendees better understand the features and benefits of Flexco product solutions. Live demonstrations will also take place at the booth, with a focus on belt preparation, splicing, and rip repair for those interested in seeing the products at work.

MLT’s North America conveyor solutions business to be integrated into Flexco

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Flexco and MLT Minet Lacing Technology have signed an agreement in which Flexco will be the exclusive source for MLT products in the US, Canada and Mexico.

As part of the agreement, MLT will continue to manufacture the products for North America as Flexco integrates MLT’s North America business into its organisation. MLT will continue to manufacture and distribute its products through its six subsidiaries and its distribution partners throughout the rest of the world.

Flexco is headquartered in Illinois US, and operates subsidiary locations in nine other countries, partnering with its distributor network to provide superior knowledge and products that make belt conveyor operations as productive as possible for its global customers.

MLT is headquartered in Saint-Chamond, France. With three factories located in France, six subsidiaries, and two R&D centres, MLT is distributed in more than 120 countries around the world. The company produces high-quality solutions that are quick and easy to install and reduce the downtime of conveyor belts with definitive splice and repair solutions, Flexco says.

Flexco President and Chief Operating Officer, Thomas S Wujek, said: “Flexco has long respected Minet Lacing Technology’s innovative and productivity-enhancing products and we are looking forward to growing our business with our North American customers through this agreement.”

Shawn Godfrey, Director of MLT USA, said: “We pride ourselves on providing our North American customers with the peace of mind of knowing that we are available to help them choose the right solution for their application, and that service and support will continue to grow with Flexco.”

MLT CEO Group – Operations and Innovations, Frédéric Guillemet, and MLT CEO Group – Business and Development, Patrick Vericel, said they were very happy with the strategic partnership with Flexco in North America.

“Our company is widely known for our innovation and technical developments, and we look forward to working with Flexco to increase the productivity and efficiency of the conveyor belts of customers in North America now and into the future,” they said in a joint statement.

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.”

Flexco and Uptake devise new predictive analytics tool for conveyor belts

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining software, , , ,

Flexco says it has introduced a new innovative, real-time monitoring system that harnesses the power of predictive analytics so mining, aggregate, and cement operations can remotely gather critical insights to optimise belt conveyor productivity and heighten operational efficiencies.

Flexco Elevate™ Belt Conveyor Intelligence™ is a wireless platform that transfers data insights to an intuitive cloud-based dashboard via edge technology, allowing remote monitoring of belt cleaners, according to the company. With intelligence that grows over time, this easy-to-use platform is designed to simplify and accelerate belt maintenance using its powerful, data-driven engine, Flexco says.

Chip Winiarski, Vice President of Marketing at Flexco, said: “Flexco has a 110-year history of innovation, working alongside our customers to deliver solutions that are in alignment with their operational goals. We are proud to introduce Flexco Elevate. It’s the first technology solution of its kind and will quickly bring increased efficiencies and improved productivity to our customers’ operations.”

Created in partnership with Uptake, an industrial AI and IoT data science leader, Flexco Elevate reduces the need for on-site inspections and allows operations to access real-time insights remotely from an intuitive dashboard, so users are able to quickly address belt conveyor performance issues and minimise unexpected downtime.

“The insights pipeline begins by installing a state-of-the-art Flexco Elevate i3 Device to the end of each Flexco belt cleaner where cutting-edge analytics are immediately aggregated and processed,” Flexco says. “The information is then wirelessly transferred to the Flexco Elevate Dashboard where operations have immediate, remote access to action-oriented insights and service information for all of the Flexco cleaners throughout the operation.”

Flexco Elevate alters the way operations are run and the solution’s multi-faceted benefits streamline internal processes, according to the company. They include:

  • Increased Productivity: the Elevate solution makes it easy to manage belt cleaner service;
  • ROI from day one: data insights are immediately transferred to the dashboard so operations realise operational efficiency from day one;
  • Improved safety: the Flexco Elevate solution reduces the need for dangerous physical inspections along beltlines;
  • Asset management: digital mapping of installed Flexco cleaners provides visibility of assets for more efficient resource planning;
  • No guesswork: the operations team knows exactly what, when, and where service is needed;
  • Leverages existing assets: the Elevate platform works with existing Flexco belt cleaners – no additional investment in cleaners is required; and
  • Remarkably easy: installation and activation in as little as five minutes for a user-friendly experience.

Flexco ready to present bulk handling products, expertise at CONEXPO

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

Flexco says it will address splicing, cleaning, tracking, and belt slippage needs at the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 event, held in Las Vegas, on March 10-14, 2020, in addition to discussing the future of belt conveyor technology for heavy duty applications in various industries.

The company’s booth at the event will feature a full-size conveyor, as well as interactive displays to help attendees better understand the features and benefits of Flexco product solutions, it said. Live demonstrations of conveyor rip repair and 45-degree fastener installation, using the Flexco Bolt Solid Plate Fastening system, will also take place.

Flexco will be showcasing a variety of products designed to increase efficiency and decrease downtime.

The Flexco Wash Box is designed to deliver superior cleaning efficiency in applications where the conveyor must be very clean or when head-end cleaning is not enough. Mounted on the return side of the belt, hinged doors are available on each side for easy inspection.

The Y-Type™ Secondary Cleaner (pictured) will also be highlighted on the booth this year. With standard and heavy-duty options available, the Y-Type offers multiple blade options and easy maintenance at an affordable price, according to Flexco.

And, if miners are having dust containment issues at the load zone, the company says they should stop by the Flexco booth for more information on the Flexco Enclosed Skirt System and Dual Seal Polyurethane Skirting.

At this year’s booth, Flexco also plans to introduce its new TUG™ HD® Belt Clamps, designed to secure the belt for repair, meeting the most stringent safety test standards. Available in 5.4 t and 7.3 t versions, TUG HD Belt Clamps provide even tensioning across the entire belt width for ultimate strength, according to the company. Modular components, meanwhile, allow for increased versatility and portability.

The Flex-Lifter™ Belt Lifter, 900 Series Belt Cutter, and Cordless Electric Belt Cutter round out the group of products designed for safer belt conveyor maintenance that will be highlighted on the Flexco booth this year.

Flexco belts up with new TUG HD conveyor maintenance clamps

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

Flexco has recently unveiled a new product in its conveyor belt maintenance line, Flexco TUG™ HD® Belt Clamps.

Designed to secure the belt for safe repair, the new belt clamps are available in 6 ton (5.4 t) and 8 ton (7.3 t) versions to meet the most stringent safety test standards, the company said.

“TUG HD Belt Clamps provide even tensioning across the entire belt width, with an extruded non-slip grip pattern on the aluminium bars that provides ultimate holding power. The device clamps over the belt for greater strength, with the safety factors of the clamp ratings meeting or exceeding industry standards,” Flexco said.

The 6-ton clamps are available for belts up to 72 in (1,800 mm) wide and up to 2 in (50 mm) thick, while the 8-ton clamps are available for belts up to 96 in (2,400 mm) wide and up to 2.25 in (55 mm) thick.

TUG HD Belt Clamps are versatile, portable, and easy to use, Flexco said. A single pair of the heat-treated clamp bars can be used to block off the belt for maintenance, while the clamp ends feature increased capacity for easier clamp bar insertion, the company added.

Aaron Rosso, Senior Product Manager at Flexco, said: “The acme thread on the clamp end screws offers superior grip strength and allows operators the chance to slowly release the belt after maintenance. It’s a safer, more predictable method than unclamping and releasing the tension on the belt in one movement.”

The belt clamps are engineered for tough conditions, being designed with high-grade aluminium bars and structural steel clamp ends, according to the company. Shock-absorbing end caps are designed to protect the bars from hammer use and drops, while the TUG HD Belt Clamps can be used with a variety of materials and belt types, including PVC/PVG or rubber-covered plied belting on flat, sidewall, chevron, and other specialty profiles.

“TUG HD Belt Clamps are Mineline®-endorsed, designed and engineered to work – day in and day out – in some of the toughest applications in the world,” Flexco concluded.

The Flexco Mineline endorsement, Flexco says, means the product proven in heavy-tonnage applications that test the strength and durability of your conveyor system.