Motion Control & Drives


Heavy conveyor runs without a hitch after a year

November 2002 Motion Control & Drives

When consultants Dowding, Reynard & Associates (DRA) designed the pilot plant for Trans Hex Mining, for the Nieuwejaarskraal open cast mine on the banks of the Orange River near Kimberley, they made sure that only the best elements were built into the design. There was to be no room for possible breakdowns particularly as the plant was designed to be dismantled and moved if and when necessary. Overall reliability was the key. The mine celebrates its first anniversary and is proud to report reliable performance to date.

The feed preparation section of the plant utilises a Trans Hex Mining design tipping arrangement for discarding oversize material prior to processing the run of the mine into a suitable size fraction for recovery from the alluvial diamond bearing gravel.

It is of significance to note that the whole of the input to the plant is dependent on one single conveyor with a 1,2 m wide, troughed belt. Driving this input conveyor is a SEW Eurodrive type MC3 bevel-helical geared motor, comprising a SEW Compact box and a Eurodrive RF57 box in series, all powered by only a 3 kW motor. The feed rate is 100 tons/h at an average speed of 0,2 m/s. For these flow rates, this means the run of mine material, which varies from fine dust to large rocks, can be as high as 1 m, but averages 700 mm, on the conveyor belt. VRN quenched and tempered alloy wear liners are fitted for this purpose.

The SEW Eurodrive 'MC' series of modular heavy-duty drives was the first series designed on a modular basis specifically for tough usage in strategic industrial applications such as mining. The series is available in helical and bevel-helical arrangements, horizontal or vertical shafts, with torque ranges from 6 to 60 kNm and ratios from 7:1 to 112:1. All shaft positions can be provided with a selection of mounting positions. In terms of cost, the MC series is claimed to deliver more torque per unit cost than the common range of typical heavy industrial gear units available on the market. Happy anniversary Nieuwejaarskraal!

For more information contact SEW Eurodrive, 011 248 7000, [email protected], www.seweurodrive.com



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Turbomachinery controls: the call of duty
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
There’s a lot to be said about the unsung heroes of this world; those men, women and machines that deliver such important functions, often overlooked and recognised. One such machine is turbomachinery, and while the name does sound quite obvious to the layman, its rich history and daily functions are not.

Read more...
More movement in the market
Motion Control & Drives
Aerotech aims to revolutionise the market for precision motion and machine controls with an intuitive control platform.

Read more...
Tapered roller bearings for wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
A leading European manufacturer of wind turbines will use NSK’s tapered roller bearings with high load capacity in the gearboxes of its 15 MW class offshore wind turbines. The decision to specify the next-generation NSK roller bearings hinged on several key factors.

Read more...
Efficient maintenance counts
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s total plant management solutions encompass a technical advisory service for maintenance programmes that includes correct chain and sprocket selection, which is a critical factor in any power transmission system.

Read more...
Automating drive systems for efficiency and reliability
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
Already in use by leading global manufacturers in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE’s innovative MOVI-C modular automation system will bring a new level of flexibility, integration and efficiency to a wide range of sectors.

Read more...
Monitoring vibration allows for equipment longevity
Iritron Motion Control & Drives
Unscheduled downtime and maintenance on machines is often a source of frustration for many companies active in industrial manufacturing as it results in loss of process and productivity, which in turn equates to loss of revenue.

Read more...
Driving innovation in robotics and automation
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
Maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing industrial landscape means embracing new technologies and adapting to evolving market demands. Yaskawa Southern Africa has positioned itself as a leader in robotics and automation, particularly in areas such as palletising, materials handling and advanced manufacturing

Read more...
Regular maintenance of cutting fluids is essential to maintain quality
Motion Control & Drives
Regular cleaning and maintenance of cutting fluid systems significantly enhances overall efficiency by extending the life of the cutting fluids, reducing downtime and improving the quality of the end products.

Read more...
Tough chain and induction hardened sprockets
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Tsubaki Titan chain series offers significant improvements in wear life, particularly in demanding applications like abrasive and dusty conditions.

Read more...
Rethinking common approaches to wire rope lubrication
Motion Control & Drives
Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites and drainage systems. Correct lubrication of wire ropes is absolutely critical because wire ropes are more than just cables, they are intricate machines composed of interdependent parts in constant motion.

Read more...