BMG is committed to ensuring operational efficiency of light and bulk materials handling systems through the supply of a wide range of quality branded components, supported by technical resources, fabrication and field service capabilities.
“The company’s extensive materials handling services to our diverse customer base, ensure optimum reliability, minimum downtime and extended service life of components and systems,” says Ryan Forsyth, general manager of materials handling at BMG. “Because conveying and materials handling equipment form a critical part of production and mining processes, BMG focuses on ensuring continuous production processes, with minimal interruptions.
“Specialist regional service centres, with fabrication operations that include belt conversion and joining, are enhanced by an onsite splicing and maintenance service.
“We believe that quality of products and service delivery is of paramount importance, which is why we have worked closely with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to obtain certification of various belt types in our range, including SANS 1173:2013 specification for fabric re-enforced belting.
Partnerships
“BMG has forged partnerships with a select group of belt manufacturers around the world and is therefore able to select the most suitable manufacturer for the product scope requirement. These plants have been SABS audited and are approved manufacturers, in accordance with SABS standards.
Through BMG’s initiative, SABS auditors work with BMG’s auditor, to ensure products are manufactured to the strictest standards to allow for the coveted SABS certification. All belting manufactured is inspected independently, as a guarantee the highest quality standards are complied with.”
Polyurethane and rubber screen panels
BMG supplies a wide range of screening media, with various surfaces, to suit exact performance requirements. Selection of the correct product is based on the specific application, material size, desired throughput and required efficiency of the screen.
Included in BMG’s range are PU and rubber screen panels, side liners, spray nozzles, screen mounts, springs and rubber buffers.
Standard PU screen panels, with an 85 Shore hardness, have a dynamic load capacity and are designed for efficient operation in wet and dry applications. Special PU (PolyTuff) screen panels, with a 60 Shore hardness, have the properties of standard PU and rubber and improved flexibility from specially engineered plastics. These screens do not perish in elevated temperature environments and offer extended service life.
Woven wire mesh screens, which are designed for corrosion and abrasion resistance, are manufactured from high carbon, mild steel, stainless steel and spring steel. These mesh screens are available in square, slotted, standard harp and tri-harp weave types, with an aperture range from 2mm to 120mm. Wire diameter ranges from 0,9mm to 12,50mm.
Factors to consider
All standard over-hook options are available in the C shape and 45˚ hooks. Other screening products include side liners, pins, sleeves and spray nozzles. Rubber buffers are manufactured from a natural rubber compound that withstands high frequency applications and prevents deterioration that would normally result from heat build-up.
Also in the range are screen mounts, side clamps, perforated plates and rubber nosings. Wear liners – available in ultra high molecular weight Polyethyulene (UHMWPE), rubber and Polyurethane (PU) – are suitable for chute, truck and side liners.
Super-Screw slicing system
The Super-Screw belt splicing system, which was originally used as a temporary alternative to conventional hot and cold splicing, has proved to be totally reliable as a permanent mechanical splice.
This high strength splicing system is a flexible rubber splice using self tapping screws that enable Super-Screw to be installed regardless of the configuration of the conveyor belt and irrespective of access and weather conditions. The current trend in industry generally, is to avoid the use of hazardous substances wherever possible. Trichloroethylene, a hazardous solvent used in conventional hot and cold splicing procedures, can now be replaced by using the Super-Screw system as a safe splicing alternative.
Results of extensive field testing indicate that this is the quickest method to repair a conveyor belt in any emergency situation, significantly reducing downtime. The mechanical joining technique is easy to complete, without the need for a skilled operator and heavy, costly equipment.
This system, with a high tensile strength, has proved to be a suitable alternative to conventional splicing methods. In some cases, the Super-Screw exceeded the tensile rating of hot and cold splice samples of the same class rating.
Less than one hour
Trials, using the same belt width of 600 mm, also demonstrate that a conventional hot splice takes seven hours, a cold splice takes over eight hours (including curing) and the Super Screw takes less than one hour.
This leak proof system can be used for reliably joining a belt, repairing a longitudinal rip, or a puncture in a belt. The Super-Screw splice is compatible with small pulley diameters, suitable for pipe conveyors and is conveyor scraper and V-plough friendly. This splicing system can also be used inserting new belting into old conveyor belt systems.
The screws are self-drilling and self-tapping, spreading the carcass threads without cutting them. No pre-drilling is required. Super-Screw, which can withstand service tensions to 2 000 kN/m, is available in various grades of rubber, to suit exact requirements.
The rubber material, containing tensile fabric used for the splices, is manufactured in rolls up to 25m in lengths and in various strength ratings, from Class 315 to Class 2 000 conveyor belting. This system is also available in a ready-to-install option, with maximum pre-cut lengths of 3 metres and pre-installed assembly spacers.
These materials are abrasion, heat, fire or oil resistant and heat retardant, up to 200°C. The non-magnetic system has metallic inserts made of stainless steel, with stainless steel screws.
Embedded
Steel screws are screwed into an embedded nut inside the material, forming a sandwich effect of the top and bottom cover that clamps onto the belt carcass.
The surface of the splice is level with the two ends of the original belt, making the splice surface as even and as thick as the belt itself. It is fitted at the bias like regular splices to ensure optimal strength and flexibility around the pulleys.
In selecting the correct Super-Screw fastener for each application, factors to be considered include the belt tension and strength of the belt, as well as the final belt thickness required.
Specific applications
Each rubber cover type has important features for specific applications, including heat and abrasion resistance, as well as adherence to food grade specifications.
In addition, ambient conditions have to be considered before a cold splice can take place – if the humidity levels are too high, the adhesive may not be effective. An advantage of the Super-Screw, is it is effective in all weather conditions.
With training from BMG, an in-house maintenance team can quickly and efficiently install the Super-Screw system, using a simple tool like an electrical or battery-powered screw driver.
In conclusion
BMG’s R350-million expansion of its distribution and engineering facilities in Johannesburg, which encompasses modifications to existing buildings and the erection of new structures, is nearing completion.
The objective of this development programme is to centralise functional and support operations onto one site to improve supply chain processes across the Group. Through this rationalisation initiative, BMG strives to achieve cost optimisation, improve regionalised branch office support and enhance customer service capability.
BMG Materials Handling, Ryan Forsyth
Tel: (011) 620-7422
Email: ryanf@bmgworld.net
www.bmgworld.net
