While there are many ‘look-alike’ transfer chutes on the market, it is the demanding original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards of Weba Chute Systems that keep mined material as well as industrial materials moving smoothly.

“Through our focused dedication for many years, we have developed the design, engineering and manufacture of transfer chutes into a science,” says Weba Chute Systems technical manager and designer Dewald Tintinger. “This is what gives our customers the peace-of-mind that their operations will not be disrupted by unplanned stoppages due to premature chute failure.”

Tintinger points out that a chute is often viewed – quite erroneously – as just a platework commodity that any general manufacturer or fabricator can produce on demand.

The danger in this approach is that the performance is generally not optimal, the reliability is certainly not guaranteed, and there may not be any technical backup when it is required.

“Our extensive design capabilities are leveraged by our experience in the field, where we are constantly installing or improving systems to support our customers’ specific requirements,” he says. “This is why every transfer point solution is custom-engineered, based on our in-depth assessment of the material and operating conditions on site.”

The design is from the ground up, with skilled draughtsmen using the latest specialised software to model material flow in line with operational needs. This facilitates optimising the material trajectory into the chute, out of the initial impact area, through the chute itself and into the discharge area.

Once a Weba Chute Systems product is installed, it can be regularly inspected and maintained by specially-trained technicians, making sure that it reliably delivers the duty required.

“We stand by every chute we produce supporting the customer to ensure smooth production flow,” Tintinger says. “Where the provenance of the chute is not clear, plants often do not know where to turn when problems arise.”

He also highlights the value of engaging specialists from Weba Chute Systems at the early stages of plant planning, in terms of positioning equipment for optimal material flow through the plant.

“With our detailed knowledge of how transfer points or chutes work best, we can offer valuable guidance at planning stage about where the chutes – and hence certain other equipment – should ideally be positioned to improve efficiency and results,” he says.

He emphasises that transfer chutes, while ranking as relatively low cost items in the broader scheme of process equipment, can be the source of costly and major operational problems – all of which can be avoided.

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