Originally Posted by Graham Shortt

Well said, Larry. It is interesting that the original difficulty we had in South Africa with these idlers was based on the fact that we were loading hard rock in lumps of +200 mm, hence the rapid failure. It is also interesting that yodieszoy noted that his experience is in the fertilizer industry, where the material is generally reasonably granular.

Yodieszoy also said the following, which is far more chilling : "Another point to stand out is the self-cleaning effect, I don’t have to stop the conveyor and send a man to clean the debris now and then. I do not need to stop the conveyor to change an idler either, we can do it in seconds while the conveyors carry on working." There is absiolutely no way you should be allowed to, or allow any one else work on a moving conveyor. In order to change an idler - any idler - or in fact work on the conveyor in any way, it is absolutely essential that the system be locked out and tagged BEFORE any work is carried out .

Incidentally, Briec, since you started this whole thread, have you managed to source Limberollers and if so, how have they behaved?

Graham Shortt

Hi Graham,

You are totally correct in your comments as they relate to the existing belt conveyor systems. However, Technology is being innovation in progress.

There is a new Conveyor Idler Assembly that allows rolls to be changed while the belt is running. This Assembly allows the whole maintenance procedure to be completed by one person working from any side walkway without entering any part of the body into the hazardous areas of the belt conveyor, ie:- inside the stringers. Every action is done outside the hazardous workings. I will have met the new most stringent proposed Australian Standards whereby the new 'Standards' are that the whole sides of the conveyor will be guarded. With my patented design, we can remove one or any roll from the assembly, when it is lowered during the maintenance procedure, and we are working on a non rotating rolls in the 'Cassette' system which is accessible directly under the stringer. Rolls on the opposite side are retracted like a sausage of inter-latched 'Cassettes' so pulling the first roll draws the remaining rolls to the end of the assembly and the rolls are changed in the 'Cassette' in the safety of the walkway. The Conveyor Idler Assembly, CIA for short, has been designated as DunnEasy Idler. If you would like a copy of the maintenance procedure in .ppt format, please download or email me directly and I will send you the broachure.

http://www.tamecservices.com.au.

Les Dunn

PS:- I have also patent applied for a conveyor idler roll which is Stub Axle Technology 'Onefits Roll' and the rolls are shaft-less internally but have the bearing capability of 6411 of the largest roll in the CEMA range and this complex bearing is also used down to the smallest Cema B range of 76mm (3"). These rolls are in testing prior to full supply to the industry. 35% lighter @ 500mm shell length to 90% lighter @ 2200mm length. I will keep everyone informed as the testing progresses and is completed. Some of the major manufacturers will be putting the rolls into their testing facilities in a few weeks. ■