It is better if you mention size of baggage i.e. length, width and height and also the weight of baggage. What is the nature of surface of the baggage, whether soft or hard? Is this pertaining to requirement of passenger baggage at airport or is it baggage being carried by cargo planes?

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

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

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25882916 ■

Dear Mr. Regis32757,

You are referring to belt speed of 1000 fpm (5 mps). It implies that the belt conveyor must be quite long. Such conveyor has to be equipped with rollers only. I don’t see the possibility of using belt sliding on bed, as the same will result into fast wear of the belt and also will result into more power consumption.

The belt will have sufficient tension so that its sag between the rollers can be kept within permissible limits. Also, if need be the rollers can be at closer pitch. Such conveyor of long length will have gravity take-up which will ensure specific tension and specific sag condition, automatically all the time. The belt can also be of comparatively thicker carcass to provide better support to baggage.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

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

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25882916 ■

Hello Mr. Regis,

As Mr. Mulani has indicated, a standard slider bed design would not be belt or energy friendly. Using many rollers under the belt (i.e. close pitch arrangement) would address the energy and belt wear concerns. Unfortunately, the large number of idlers (presumably of small diameter) required and the speed of the system are likely to cause high maintenance costs.

As Mr. Disselboom states, air glide systems should work better.

The major concern that I would have with this concept (especially if I was a baggage handler) is with the discharge end - I cannot help but think of someone's golf clubs flying off the end of the belt at 1000 ft/min. Obviously, there is a similar problem at the (multiple?) load point(s).

Regards, ■

Respondents have given various suggestions and which one is more suited is a matter of further investigation, analysis and choice. Following reply only addresses the problem mentioned by Mr. Dave Miller as to how to solve the high speed discharge problem :

1) Such a high-speed conveyor implies that it is for somewhat long distance conveying.

2) Single point loading from tail end, along the conveyor axis could be practical. This could be by providing roller conveyor decline zone. Such zone will impart the speed to baggage so that its placement on the belt is within acceptable limit of sliding during acceleration phase.

3) At the discharge end, the conveyor can discharge the baggage on roller conveyor bed, which is in-line with the belt. This roller zone can have appropriate up inclination zone and then a horizontal zone. Such roller conveyor will slow down the speed of the baggage, as it will be moving up against the gravity. Please note that the reduction in speed at the discharge end will tend to reduce spacing between baggage.

4) The management / disposal of baggage beyond this point to be thought of by system planner. My answer is limited to conveying of baggage from one point to second point. The loading and unloading of baggage to be planned properly. There may be elaborate system at both the ends for managing the baggage.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

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

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25882916 ■

Ishwar,

Thank you for the explanation on delivery and removal. As I understand it the single point delivery from a roller conveyor means that there will be a fair bit of space between items on the belt. This will allow a roller style take-off system to accept the luggage and slow it down for easy handling.

Although it appears to be a waste of belt space, it makes sense for baggage handling.

Thanks for the instruction.

Leonard,

Please excuse my "sloppy" terminology, when I used air-glide I was referring to a belt system that is supported by air. I was not concerned about luggage going off the belt during transport, but was curious about the discharge point. As Mr. Mulani explained, this can be designed to avoid damage to either luggage or personnel.

Regards, ■

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