Hello Mike,

Try our software package for belt conveyor design, BELTSTAT and its DEMO package from the website:

www.conveyor-dynamics.com

BELTSTAT is reasonably detailed in deep groove ball bearing selections, idler spacing limitation based on bearing rating, and belt flap dynamics. Idler failure rates, per year, per wing/center, carry and return are tabulated for the selected bearing size. A table of typical bearings are included ranging from 6200 to 6400 series. Corrections for race are included as are lump factors and fixed or garland dynamics. Idler selections are modified for vertical and horizontal curve pressures depending on how you divide the conveyor geometry. Static and dynamic conditions are reported.

Good luck in your search.

Lawrence Nordell

Conveyor Dynamics, Inc.

email: nordell@conveyor-dynamics.com ■

Some additional BELTSTAT points:

Idler eccentricity, offset loading, loading histogram over normal belt operation (% empty, % partial loadings, % full, & % surges), and installation vertical tolerances arealso included in the analysis.

A better rationalization is possible in the idler selection optimization process than in the blind L10 life nomination.

Why not have an L10 life based on minimum installation and operating (failure rate) cost? This procedure is very revealing. It demonstrates that a bearing rating and spacing need not be limited to L10=30000 hours to L10 = 60000 hours and 1.5 to 2 meter spacing.

Larry ■

Dear Mike,

I have program for design of bearing and spindle of idlers. You can contact me on my email, in case you are interested.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyor.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 5882916 ■

Hello Mike,

Melco Conveyor Equipment, a South African idler manufacturer, has a program which is usefule in the selection of suitable shaft/bearing combinations.

The formulae used are discussed also in the C-KIT portal.

See www.melcoconveyors.com and www.ckit.co.za

For further info contact me directly at adif.co.za. ■

Several Programs are on the market including the above. HelixT-5 and Pro-Belt are some of others. Altough these are costly and prehaps they should consider selling modules. ■

Dear Mr. Mike,

Mike, why you are in search of software. You will get diameter of idler from graph. It is given in Indian Standard 11592.

Regards.

A.Banerjee ■