The Yellow Belly Liner is the same quality rubber liner or plate that the market has come to accept, but it’s now supplied with an integral yellow rubber compound which acts as a visual aid specifically for condition monitoring purposes.
Matthew Fitzsimons, technical manager at Multotec Rubber, says, “Developed as the optimum solution for simple and safe inspection of rubber wear plates in all types of applications, this liner will allow personnel to make a visual inspection and eliminates the need for people to enter confined spaces such as transfer points. It also eliminates the need for time consuming lock-out procedures,” he adds.
Replacement
The traditional Multotec black rubber wear plates now have a bright yellow layer above the steel backing plate. When this is exposed, it will clearly indicate that the level of wear has been reached where replacement is necessary.
An in-depth understanding of the operational requirements in a plant resulted in the development of this indicator. At the stage where the yellow becomes visible, the operators or mine personnel have a period of time in which to undertake the liner changeout.
Matthew explains that this will assist maintenance personnel to include such changeouts in already scheduled maintenance activities, or plan an appropriate shutdown for the replacement. “Most significantly when recognised, and acted upon, this wear indicator will avoid damage being done to equipment,” he adds.
They can be used in a multitude of applications where impact and abrasion cause wear. Typically these would be chute or transfer points, bins, vibrating screens at the feed point, dead boxes, protection liners in mill applications and trommel liners.
ETO products
Matthew is quick to add that their rubber wear liners and wear plates are not an off-the-shelf product. They are Engineered To Order (ETO) products and the result of significant input on the part of Multotec engineers.
Skilled personnel visit the customer site to carry out a full inspection and take detailed measurements. Custom solutions are then engineered specifically for individual application requirements taking all factors into account such as impact, energy, flow rate, particle size and angle of impact.
Flexibility of installation is another significant advantage when using these wear plates, which can be provided with the traditional bolt and rubber plug system or stud welding according to the drilling pattern of the chute or bin. In instances where drilling into the equipment is not a favourable option, magnetic liners can be provided which can include the Yellow Belly wear indicator. This also allows for ease of installation saving substantial stoppage time for the liner installation.
Technical support
The liners are manufactured in Multotec Rubber’s ISO 9001:2008 accredited press shop in Spartan Johannesburg using PLC controlled compression moulded rubber presses with a barcoding system that interfaces with the company’s ERP system. This facilitates optimum supply chain management and delivery accuracy, with the shortest lead times possible.
An important factor that underpins Multotec Rubber’s commitment to its customer base is its strategically situated branch network which covers South African as well as the African continent. “At all times there is access to technical support and personnel who fully understand the operation of plants and the challenges experienced, and can provide the optimal solution for a given application,” Matthew concludes.
Multotec Group
Bernadette Wilson
Tel: (011) 923-6193
Email: bernadettew@multotec.com
www.multotec.com
