Wooden scrapers reduce conveyor downtime at cement plants

If a conveyor belt's steel scraper becomes buckled or deformed, it often results in irreparable damage to the conveyor's chain and sprockets. At cement plants, where loads conveyed are, by nature, heavy, scraper failure is a particularly common problem and its resultant impact on the conveyor's chain and sprockets is a familiar cause of costly conveyor downtime.

The problems can be exacerbated at plants operating their own on-site power generation systems if fractured metal conveyor chain components find their way into chipping units and furnaces.

In response to these issues Letchworth-based chain specialist, FB Chain Ltd, has developed an innovative type of scraper attachment – the Inno.

FB's Inno scrapers are made from multi laminated beech - one of the toughest and strongest types of wood which, when processed and assembled using thermosetting synthetic resins, makes a material that is a tenth of the weight of steel but with almost the same strength.

A similar product is widely used to terror-proof buildings as the material is able to absorb the impact of an explosion.

By making scrapers from this tough yet durable material the stress exerted on the conveyor drives is reduced and damage caused by overloading significantly lessened.

Furthermore, instead of buckling like traditional steel scrapers, Inno scrapers simply snap when overloaded. This means that the damage to the conveyor chain and sprockets associated with buckled steel scrapers is eliminated.

And, of course, because they are made of wood, broken Inno scrapers can be disposed of easily and in an environmentally conscious way in shredders or furnaces.

"Our new Inno scrapers save time and money. Not only do they not cause costly damage to other conveyor components when overloaded, if they do break they can be easily and cheaply replaced which reduces conveyor downtime considerably," says Peter Church, managing director of FB Chain Ltd.

"Furthermore, due to their lightness when compared to steel scrapers, Inno scrapers save on conveyor energy costs making them an even more attractive option than the old fashioned steel alternative."

Inno scrapers are available in a choice of three different strengths to suit a number of diverse applications.