I would like to add that the splicing times previously mentioned can vary dramatically depending on the following:

1. Whether the splice company lays the noodles between the cords (as recommended by the manufacturers) or just lays the noodle as a sheet and uses the vulcanizer to "press" it into the cables.

2. The experience of the crews. The more experience, the faster they are.

3. The type and whether the vulcanizer has been maintained.

4. The ST rating of the belt.

5. The weather.

6. Safety concerns.

There are a lot of variables for a steel cord splice that can affect the time. However, taking shortcuts that give intial savings in time more than likely will be wasted as the quality of the splice will be compromised and the life of the splice will be shortened. ■

Vulcanizing time is also dependent on belt thickness to obtain full vulcaninzing within the belt splice. ■

Hi mofidi

In my experience using the Rema cable stripper doesn’t save any time and in most cases will add to the splice time.

With the Rema cable stripper the cables come out clean and smooth and therefore will need buffing / wiring / scratching before the splice lay-up is done, this could add an additional 2 to 6 hrs depending on the ST rating.

If the cables are Hooked or Piano wired, buffing / wiring / scratching is not required.

As Mr. Fernandes mentioned, if you could supply the ST rating or even cord diameter, splice length we could give you a better idea of the time line.

i.e. Typical Splice times with both belt ends on the splice table ready to splice.

ST1000 cord diameter 4 mm x 900 mm splice length = about 10 to 14 hrs

ST2500 cord diameter 6 mm x 1800 mm splice length = about 14 to 18 hrs

ST5000 cord diameter 10 mm x 4500 mm splice length = about 18 to 26 hrs

Approx Cure time included in above would be:

45 to 55 minute vulcaniser heat up time to 145 degree Celsius.

50 to 80 minute belt cure time at 145 degree Celsius.

30 to 60 minute vulcaniser cool down time to below 60 degrees Celsius.

You also have the other variables mentioned on the previous posts.

Experience of crew, weather conditions, ST Rating, Safety, belt position, incline or flat and belt thickness. ■

Dear Bruce,

First, I do not own, sell, or represent, in any way, powered strippers. I advise clients on the best splice program needs. REMA Stripper (RS or its equivalent) produces superior steel cord high strength belt slices, higher Q/C acceptance standards, and superior reliability. On small cable sizes this procedure is not recommended.

I goes without saying, that appropriate talent is required.

We have been associated with dynamic fatigue testing in a laboratory of all types of stripping and associated preparations. Tests have been conducted with ratings to ST-9000 N/mm. We are qualified to speak of the scientific differences with the preparations.

I do not agree with your representation of cable stripping by RS or equivalent devices verses by piano wire or hook knife for several reasons:

1. Using RS, the amount of rubber left on cable for bonding is close to a constant verses all others having variable thickness according to piano wire technique used, or hand working of knife angle of approach for wire or knife and their cutting pattern (hexagonal, octal and many variations).

2. RS does minimize scraping damage to cord galvanizing verse piano or hook knife.

3. Diameter of rubber-coated cable is closer to a constant with RS and highly variable with the others, which leads to undesirable corrections in splice straightness and which reduces fatigue strength

4. RS can use preform splice pattern, which is more accurate, stronger, and eliminates tackifier gas generated during vulcanizing especially in larger cord diameters (> 8 mm). Gas reduces splice strength as has been proven in many splice dynamic fatigue test results comparing the above benefits.

5. RS can eliminate tackifier and other rubber solvents, which reduce splice strength and generate undesirable gas that needs to be eliminated by post-cure puncturing

6. RS reduces splice environmental pollutions by eliminating skiving and its many contaminations

7. Noodles and insulation covers are too variable to obtain ideal surrounding bonding, become polluted with environmental conditions, and absorb too much tackifier solution because of the inherent gaps and voids. How many times have you observed the splicer stretching the noodle to aid in controlling the cord gap? How about the computation of the voidage to maintain the insulation to cover gauge? Get it wrong and loose adhesion.

8. Belt splice runs straighter with RS type splice program.

9. A good trained crew can install a RS and preform assembly faster than any other method.

10. Superior connection between insulation rubber and cover rubber when using preform. Factory made. Cannot use preform with knife or piano wire.

11. RS and preform splice kit does cost more but allows many other benefits including: strength, quality, straightness and ability to better handle lower Safety Factors = ST rating = $$$$. ■

Hi Lawrence

My comparison between RS versus Piano / Hooking was only on splice times using noodles.

RS together with Preform on high rated ST belts would probably be on par, maybe quicker time wise to the other methods mentioned above.

Time lost on buffing the cables after RS you may make up on the cable lay-up using the preform.

In regard to RS and Preform and splice performance / quality, I agree with all your comments.

You mentioned

I’ll start a new thread on this item. ■