Conveyor diagnostics system to aid coal conveyor monitoring

5th October 2018 By: Halima Frost - Senior Writer

Conveyor diagnostics system to aid coal conveyor monitoring

RETHINKING SCANNING The rEscan conveyor belt diagnostic system allows for early detection of cord breaks, corrosion and splice failure

Technical solutions provider BMG will supply six rEscan diagnostics systems of industrial belting supplier Fenner to a coal-fired power station in Mpumalanga before the end of the year.

Fenner’s rEscan diagnostics system is a belt diagnostic device used for the early detection of cord breaks, corrosion and splice failure in conveyor systems. A total of 47 such systems have been introduced to the local coal market since February.

The system forms part of Fenner’s power transmission portfolio that includes Fenner conveyor belting products.

The rEscan diagnostics system allows for the continuous monitoring of splice and cord condition, with warning and alarm levels to identify critical cord damage and/or splice movement/damage in steel cord belting. Steel cord belt condition monitoring is achieved by measuring magnetic flux leakage from the cords and comparing trending data from each belt cycle.

The rEscan is easily integrated into site programmable logic controller systems or supervisory control and data acquisition controls, which enables the belt to stop at any selected splice, cord damage or belt length location, and to position the belt wherever required. This delivers significant benefits to maintenance planners and repairers by reducing the time required to position the belting.

“The highly effective rEscan system is designed for preventive maintenance and ensures reduced downtime on steel cord conveyors,” says BMG bulk materials handling business unit manager Donovan Scott.

The rEscan diagnostic system is available as a purchase or rental option, with the rental option including monthly reports and technical backup.

Fenner Partnership

BMG strengthened its 20-year relationship with Fenner in February by enhancing the local supplier’s power transmission portfolio with the addition of the international Fenner conveyor belting products.

BMG supplies a range of Fenner conveyor belting, which includes steel cord and solid woven conveyor belting. Fenner products are manufactured at BMG’s Isando plant, in Gauteng, to stringent international quality standards.

“Through a long-term agreement with Fenner, BMG is the exclusive distributor of Fenner conveyor belting products locally and in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Scott. “As part of this arrangement, BMG has also acquired Fenner’s Engineered Conveyor Solutions service operations and related assets in South Africa.