K Commander® – Your Belt Tracking Wish Is Our Command
NEIL KINDER, CEO of Kinder Australia provides a report on the importance of conveyor belt tracking. (Associate Member of the CMPA since 2002).
When it comes to staying on track, the K-Commander® series from Kinder Australia has a solution for any application of material transportation. A poorly tracked conveyor belt can lead to a number of productivity and safety issues. Damage to the conveyor belt itself as well as the conveyor structure is a major problem.
Case Study
Our customer specialises in quarrying high quality basalt products (100 tonnes per hour) and is renowned as a leader in sourcing aggregates and other bulk materials across Northwest Victoria. Initial discussions with the quarry operator highlighted frustration and costly conveyor skirting replacement issues due to regular belt tracking challenges experienced on site. During wet weather conditions, too much water on the conveyed rocks caused the conveyor belt to misalign.
The resulting impact of the conveyor belt rearing off centre caused significant material spillage and damage to the existing conveyor belt and polyurethane skirting.
Production down-time and operational profitability was also compromised due to the additional monthly costs and maintenance time necessary to replace the damaged conveyor skirting.
Familiar with the reliability and innovation of Kinder Australia’s conveyor componentry product line up, the quarry maintenance team without question turned to Kinder Australia. At the onset Kinder’s team of conveyor experts were responsive and addressed the sites main belt tracking issue, while simultaneously boosting productivity and wear life of existing conveyor skirting.
K-Commander® Control Series was elected and installed onsite, with its unique engineered action of the central ball and socket link, enclosed in the rubber covered steel tube, ensured the belt will run true and centre.
The added cost advantages of lagging replacement and reconditioning feature was also a drawcard. The whole installation process was simple, efficient and cost-effective with minimal down-time during the implementation.
Quarry Maintenance Team confirmed “K-Commander® Self Centring Idler 100% fixed our ongoing belt tracking and maintenance problems immediately”. Correct belt alignment delivered from the K-Commander® Control Series successfully ticks all the boxes in terms of product performance and optimal operational productivity.
Morale, frustration and additional costs associated with replacing expensive damaged conveyor skirting has been averted. As well as the safety hazard risks of trips, spills and falls due to material spillage has also been eliminated.
So, pleased at the effectiveness of K-Commander® Control Series our quarry customer has planned for the overhaul of Kinder’s belt tracking solution for further areas of the quarry’s operations.
The K-Commander® Exceed Series is an all-direction belt tracking solution featuring flexible 360 degree rotational capability, with its separate axial and rotational function allowing for the double axis pivot bush. The K-Commander® Exceed Series P has been designed with two key stages. The first stage focuses on the inner shell which contains the shaft and an engineered pivoting bush allowing the axial movement of the tracker. The inner shell is protected by a flexible EPDM rubber boot. The second stage focuses on the roller bearings, which allows the rotational movement of the tracker. The roller bearings connect the inner shell and the outer shell and are protected by a labyrinth seal.
The K-Commander® Direct Series are a pivoting base style, available in both trough and return applications automatically providing belt centring. The outboard servo rollers cause the idler frame to pivot as they contact the belt edge and this swivel action causes the belt to realign automatically. To further aid belt tracking, Kinder Australia offer rubber lagged rollers (trough and return) as an option for your belt tracker. The results are better tracking performance (especially in heavy duty applications), Increased roller durability against the constant scuffing nature roller shells in trackers experience and increased belt training response.
Made of highly wear-resistant polyurethane, the K-Commander® Tracking Discs fit both flat and vee return rollers as well as selected troughing rollers.
Ideally, they are located in pairs prior to the tail pulley to help align the conveyor belt, and so eliminating spillage from mis-tracked belts. They can also be installed after the feed area on troughing sets to help keep the belt aligned. They are easy to install with a split on one side to slip over the roller – no need to remove the roller.
Finally, the K-Commander® Guide Series INV is an all-purpose conveyor belt alignment idler ideally suited to short centred or reversing conveyor applications. The two inverted vee rollers put pressure down onto the belt, promoting centralised belt training. The universal frame adjusts to all types of mounting structures and is installed just after the head pulley, or prior to the tail pulley. They are suitable for reversing belt and are available for all belt widths.
The team at Kinder Australia can assist with your belt tracking with the installation of a solution from the K-Commander® series. Consult with them to discover which is the best option for your application.
Kinder Australia has been a proud member of the CMPA for 19 years. The Victorian Earth Resource industry is constantly evolving – Ongoing membership into the CMPA has ensured Kinder Australia stays abreast of important topics and challenges facing the industry. The CMPA also provides a multitude of networking opportunities through training, conferences and other social events. Kinder is featured under the Preferred Suppliers directory listing, this means their comprehensive range of conveyor componentry products and solutions remain top of mind for all members of the CMPA, in terms of reliability, performance and safety.
For more information visit:
https://kinder.com.au/products/k-commander-conveyorbelt-tracking/
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