Flexco showcases belt trainer, looks ahead to next developments

Flexco’s PTEZ belt trainer. Photo by Kevin Yanik

Flexco demonstrated one 2016 innovation and others to come at MINExpo International 2016.

The PTEZ belt trainer, which Flexco featured in its booth, responds and compensates immediately to belt misalignment using a tapered end roller profile to engage the training action. This ensures the belt stays away from the structure and the material stays on the belt without the use of sensor or edge rollers, the company says.

The PTEZ, which the company released in June of this year, can be used in nearly any application to provide tracking and prevent damage to the belt or structure. One belt trainer offers about 150 ft. of influence, Flexco adds.

In addition to the PTEZ, Flexco plans to launch a Mineline extreme-duty precleaner shortly after MINExpo. Flexco’s latest precleaner will be available for use on belts ranging from 42 in. to 120 in. wide and for pulley diameters 48 in. and larger. The precleaner is designed with a three-piece pole that simplifies transport and installation, the company adds. Also, it will be available with 6-in.- and 12-in.-wide blade segments for material path versatility and easy replacement.

Flexco also offered a look ahead to ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017, which the company has targeted for the release of an asset management system that will offer a history of Flexco products in use. At MINExpo, Flexco representatives demonstrated how the system would work, putting an RFID Bluetooth reader to use with RFID tags that were attached to Flexco components.

Kevin Fales of @flexco applies a reader to an RFID tag to demonstrate a future asset mgmt system of conveyor components. #mine16 #MINExpo pic.twitter.com/k9MNX7ucNE

— Pit & Quarry (@pitandquarry) September 28, 2016

According to Flexco, it has been incubating the technology for about two years.

“Maintenance teams just don’t have the time to manage everything,” says Chip Winiarski, vice president of marketing at Flexco. “This is a chance to put together a proactive plan to help them manage conveyor maintenance.”

Through the concept, reports detailing the inspection would be produced summarizing the conveyor and any problems. A register would offer a list of prepared “problems” in a dropdown menu, giving operators a chance to diagnose problems consistently across inspections.