Static Analysis

As in all engineering investigations of this type, the first question is, "to what degree of accuracy will the computations have to be carried out?". The answer is not simple. Important factors are the overall size, the importance of the installation, and the type and sensitivity of the equipment adjacent to it.

While the calculations are relatively simple for a conveyor with only one slope, they become increasingly complex for belts which change slope several times, which are loaded and unloaded at different points, or have multiple drive locations. Although theoretically it suffices to investigate only the worst combination of conditions, without analysis, it is usually impossible for even the experienced designer to tell which combination of factors will lead to this extreme case.

In recent years, computer programs capable of complete engineering analysis of the most complex and extensive belt conveyor systems have been developed. One advantage of using these programs is the speed and accuracy with which they provide information on design options.

Excerpt from "Belt Conveyors for Bulk Materials", Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA), 5th Edition

Belt Analyst TM

No matter how sophisticated our numerical modeling capabilities become and no matter how far our computer hardware evolves, many engineering decisions will continue to come back to basic design parameters such as friction, load, stress and strain.

The use of static or rigid body mechanics to design belt conveyors will always be the most critical design phase of a conveyor project as most all other design decisions and the proper selection of components are based on the correct estimate of friction.

However, many belt conveyor engineers still disagree on some of these basic parameters; especially friction.

Therefore, we often still rely on the experience of the designer to know when and how to apply these basic parameters to a specific application.

Detail Engineering

Many component problems occur due to lack of attention in areas such as vertical curves, transitions and turnovers. Proper design of these areas can greatly improve belt and splice life as well as other components.

Discharge and loading points are often the source of some of the most difficult operating and maintenance problems if not properly engineered during the intial stages of design.

Even in the final stages of installing and commisioning, engineering decisions are often based on the intial operating calculations such as the most critical belt splice design.