Modular transfer chute addresses installation downtime

Says Martin Engineering’s Dave Mueller. “This is a rugged, one-kit solution designed to fit most standard conveyors and belt widths, regardless of what material is being transferred.” Photo: Martin Engineering

Martin Engineering introduced a modular transfer chute for belt conveyors, reimagining the bulk handling transfer chute to reduce downtime for installation and offer options for future modifications.

The new Martin transfer point kit includes modular horizontal loading zone, settling zone and stilling zone configurations, providing what Martin Engineering describes as easier installation and a wider variety of chute options while facilitating future upgrades.

Martin Engineering’s kit simplifies the installation process, reduces the amount of labor required for assembly and allows the system to be pre-built prior to installation for reduced system downtime. The result is faster installation with less labor and shorter shutdowns, the company says.

“This is a rugged, one-kit solution designed to fit most standard conveyors and belt widths, regardless of what material is being transferred,” says Dave Mueller, conveyor products manager at Martin Engineering. “Our Center for Innovation is constantly looking for ways to engineer equipment with safety and our customer’s bottom line in mind. That’s why the kit doesn’t just streamline labor, time and production, but it’s also a logistical solution by shipping it in one crate.”

According to Martin Engineering, the Martin transfer point kit is a heavy-duty horizontal enclosure for the loading zone. Each kit is either ordered as a loading zone, settling zone or stilling zone. The width and length of the kit are determined by the receiving belt’s width and speed and the dust characteristics of the material being transferred. Dustier applications may require a longer settling zone, the company says.

Martin Engineering says the innovation solves three common problems: The first is that transfer chutes are normally shipped in different packages that sometimes don’t arrive at the same time. Upon delivery, inventory is stored until scheduled downtime, increasing the chance of loss or misplacement.

The company says a second problem is this: For most new transfer chutes on the market, some components can be prepared and assembled beforehand. But generally, new chutes need to be completely fabricated during downtime. The inability to build the structure before a shutdown increases the project budget and contributes to lost production time, Martin Engineering says.

A third problem occurs after construction. Horizontal transfer point chutes are commonly a single system requiring significant engineering and construction to be modified. Changes to existing transfer points can be challenging, the company says, but to accommodate new belt support equipment or adapt to increases in production, the chute is often raised or lengthened.

To address these problems, Martin Engineering says chute sections are delivered in a single crate with every component for assembly included. They are also able to be assembled prior to a shutdown and installation, saving time and money. And because they’re fully modular, Martin Engineering says future changes are easier.

The transfer point system accommodates belt widths of 18 to 72 in. and an internal chute width of 9 to 59 in. Each modular section is either 4 or 6 ft. long and constructed of mild steel, 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel – with a thickness of 0.25 in., 0.5 in. or 0.75 in. to accommodate a variety of materials and conditions.