Conveyor belt company Fenner Dunlop has introduced the iBelt mobile Beltguage to accurately monitor the wear and tear of its conveyors in a greater range of environments.
The fixed BeltGauge solution has been installed at multiple sites since its launch in September 2020.
Fenner Dunlop conveyor technology manager Sam Wiffen said the lightweight aspect of the mobile unit sets it apart from the fixed product.
“We have been experiencing high interest and up-take with the fixed BeltGauge unit, however we recognised that some customers required a more mobile solution,” Wiffen said.
“In order to be functional for the mobile context, we needed the unit to be lightweight, flexible and adjustable – properties which have been incorporated into the design and are a strong point of difference from competitors.
“The mobile BeltGauge is designed for customers with critical conveyors, who are comfortable with periodic data and are more focused on the ability to record belt thickness across a range of operational conveyors.”
Fenner Dunlop sales and engineering manager Shailendra Borade said developments to the mobile BeltGauge also include the ability to collect belt thickness readings while the conveyor is running, allowing customers to conduct maintenance inspections without stopping production.
“For our customers in WA and other similar sites, who operate 24/7 and have very few shutdowns in the year, this means they can scan the belt before shutdown, review the data, and plan and forecast belt changeouts with latest information and improve belt life and asset health,” Borade said.
“This is huge asset for our customers, reducing overall downtime and improving production efficiency.”
“Operating in a niche industry, it’s crucial that we are able to differentiate our products and services, while providing added-value to the customer.”
The iBelt mobile BeltGauge is currently in operation with Fenner technicians in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, and Mackay, Queensland, with field trials currently underway in Western Australia.