Rollerbrake Idler Compatibility

Investigation:

Possibility of replacing holdbacks with rollerbrake idlers

Shivesh Singh

Candidate Engineer- Mechanical

Sinter Making

ArcelorMittal South Africa

Newcastle Works

July 2012

Contents

Table of Figures 2

Objectives 3

Introduction 3

Data 4

Discussion 8

Conclusion 10

List of Figures

Figure 1: Input data for idler comparison on 165.0 conveyor belt 5

Figure 2: Schematic of rollerbrake architecture 6

Figure 3: Installation specifications for rollerbrake idler 7

Figure 4: Cost comparison of idlers 8

Figure 5: Features of conventional idler vs rollerbrake idler 9

Objectives

The objective of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of installing rollerbrake idlers to replace the current holdbacks that are used on our drive pulleys.

The effectiveness of rollerbrakes as a conveyor holdback must also be adjudicated with a view to installing them in the plant.

Introduction

Sinter Making incorporates a belt driven conveyor system to transport material to the different areas of the plant and to the different machines where they are required. They are very reliable and considered a labour saving system that allows large volumes of material to move rapidly between processes. The conveyor system uses a driven pulley and idling pulley system with rows of idlers used to assist the conveyor belt in moving the load. The main drive pulley is driven by an electric motor via a gearbox. During operational maintenance shutdowns and conveyor system stops, the pulley needs to be stopped to prevent the belt moving in an undesired fashion. For this purpose a holdback is used. It’s placed on the pulley shaft and prevents the pulley moving backwards when the machine is stopped.

This is an investigation to determine if the current holdbacks can be replaced by a system of idlers that have individual holdbacks on each idler shaft, known as rollerbrakes. Also, the feasibility of these rollerbrakes will be discussed with...