Conveyor Belt (Mine)

1. What are the operating conditions (how the equipment or system is being
used)?

A conveyor belts systematically carries and transports materials, like ore, sand, coal, etc. on the
mines. A conveyor belt works by using two motorized pulleys that loops over a long stretch of
thick, durable material. When motors in the pulleys operate at the same speed and spin in the
same direction, the belt moves between the two. If objects are particularly heavy or bulky or if
the conveyor belt is carrying them for a long distance or duration, rollers may be placed on the
sides of the conveyor belt for support.

Conveyor systems have three main components, the aluminum profile (frame, belt and any
supports), the driving unit (motor, bracket, electrical drive and counter bearings) and extremity
unit.

For sand, ore and coal mining industry, conveyor belts are the feeders and main transportation
of the products to the plants. In a mine, the company mines rich sand or coal to produce
predominantly minerals. All the minerals and products produced are transported by conveyor
belts for further processing. Processing of these, may take place on different plants, therefore
conveyors play a bigger role in transporting main product and minerals from one plant to the
other.

Conveyor belt that was chosen transports rich sand from the coast to the mine, it has an
approximately 478 m length, with 900 mm width, running at a speed of 1.9 m/s. It has 567
trough idlers and 74 return idlers. Motor driving the belt has power of 132 kW. The material of
the belt is Nylon, with M-N grade rubber with 5 plies. It is heat and fire resistant.
2. What are the functions and associated performance standards of the asset
in its present operating context? Components can have more than one
function, ensure that all functions have been captured.

3. In what way does the conveyor belt fail to fulfill its function?
Belt mistracking

Two numerous negative consequences. It has the potential to throw the entire system of its
specified course. Mistracking can simply lead to uneven belt wear, which is the cause of a whole
host of other problems in its own right. If the belt slips entirely off the track, the whole system
could begin malfunction and shut down.

Material Carryback

It refers to any material that remains attached to the conveyor belt past the discharged point.
So it can lead to accumulation of material under the conveyor system or buildup on idler rolls
and pulleys. It prevents the conveyor system from performing at its best.

Belt damage

Most of the time it occurs when the belt comes off track from its desired path. It means
conveyor belt will stop moving material and products through a facility and reducing heavy
labour. It means the conveyor belt won’t be able to reduce heavy labour.

Seized rollers

They cause the belt to mistrack unequally down the center line of the conveyor belt. It can pose
a significant safety hazard to any workers in proximity to the conveyor belt. It also has the
potential to damage goods and materials being transported along the conveyor belt and
sometimes beyond repair.

Blockage

The purpose of the conveyor belt system is to is to transport items efficiently from location to
another. When this efficient travel is disrupted the entire system stops working
4. What causes each failed state (failure modes)?
Conveyor belt mistraking

Tracking is the process of managing and aligning the belt on to the correct path. Mistracking is
then, when something goes wrong alon this track. Mistracking leads to numerous negative
consequences.

Belt Slipping

If there is too much tension or too little, things begin to go away and the belt can slip.
Specifically if the head pulley breaks down or become overly worn, There will no longer be
enough tension to keep the belt from slipping around. Loss of tension can lead result in
unnecessary stretching and train on the belt.

Seized rollers

In most cases conveyor belts are constructed from metallic materials such as steel. This
construction is good because it means the parts are high durable and long lasting. However, it
also means when the rollers of the conveyor seize up,they have an unfortunate tendency to
develop sharp edges. These sharp edges in turn , can have major repercussions throughout the
conveyor system. They can cause the belt to mistrack unequally down the center line of the
conveyor belt. This circumstance is an issue for several reasons, it can cause significant safety
hazards to workers in proximity to the conveyor belt. It has the potential to damage goods and
materials being transported along the conveyor belt, sometimes beyond repairs.

Blockages

5. What happens when each failure occurs (failure effects and consequence
severity)?