The ESS HD Superior Belt Tracking System automatically detects and continuously corrects belt tracking. Image: ESS Engineering
ESS Engineering has launched a new retrofit kit to improve the safety of conveyor belt followers in Australian mines.
VSOrPoor conveyor belt tracking is a common problem at Australian mining sites.
Contributing factors that can cause poor tracking include idler misalignment, belt condition, and off-center material loading.
Once a conveyor belt malfunctions excessively, other problems can arise, including material spills, environmental hazards, safety hazards, and damage to the conveyor structure, components, and the belt itself.
The cost associated with these problems can be extremely high, especially if misalignment of the belt results in an unexpected shutdown.
“There’s a lot that goes into getting a belt running again when poor tracking triggers a shutdown,” said Jerome Reid, ESS sales and service technician. Australian Mining.
This is why belt tracking devices are an important tool to ensure belt alignment in transport processes.
“At ESS, our goal is to keep belts aligned and running properly, reducing the need for downtime,” Reid said.
Image: ESS Engineering
ESS The followers achieve this by using durable guide rollers that run along the edge of the strip to detect any misalignment. These rollers are connected to a mechanism that pivots a roller frame and guides the strip to its center position.
The tracker does this continuously, providing smaller corrections and requiring less force.
ESS was recently contacted by a major iron ore client after they began experiencing issues with trackers from other suppliers.
This prompted the customer to update its security design standards, which required improved components that could be retrofitted to existing trackers.
The customer had purchased multiple trackers from different vendors. Of these, ESS was chosen to perform these changes due to its history of product reliability and customer collaboration.
“We have received feedback that our products have become a go-to solution due to their superior performance and reliability, in some cases replacing a competitor’s unit,” said Mitch Stone, engineer at ESS. Australian Mining.
“We worked closely with the customer to create the solution best suited to the new requirements.
“It was important to make the solution easily adaptable at a later date due to the large number of ESS trackers already installed and the high cost associated with complete replacement.”
The resulting kit enhances existing functionality and adds additional safety by securing the main parts of the entire tracker together, reducing the risk of falling objects in the unlikely event of a failure.
The kit gives customers even more peace of mind regarding an already widely used and proven product.
If a guide roller becomes jammed while the belt is in motion, it can eventually split in two, creating a fall hazard from the detached portion and potentially posing a risk to workers below. The revised design ensures that a split roller remains attached to the frame.
Stone said the kit adds a layer of protection at sites with particularly demanding conditions.
“ESS can tailor its solutions to the needs of any site,” he said. “This allows us to remain dynamic in our approach and help customers achieve the best solution for their individual needs.”
Whether making adjustments to an existing product or designing something entirely new, the ESS team has the knowledge and experience to make it happen.
With manufacturing and service facilities across Australia, ESS provides its extensive customer base with the assurance that whatever solution they require, it can be made a reality.
Also focusing on creative and efficient manufacturing, ESS has comprehensive capabilities when it comes to serving clients of different sizes and industries.
“Our customer focus is what drives us to be an industry leader,” Reid said. “Every application is different and we strive to address our customers’ challenges and provide solutions they can rely on.”
“There are a wide variety of trackers on the market, but at ESS we go above and beyond by working with our customers to deliver products that consistently outperform their competitors.
“Our reputation for superior solutions continues to grow and we look forward to growing with it.”
This article appeared in the July 2024 issue of Australian Mining.