InfraStructures - February 2007 - Improved Splice Strength, Reduced Splice Time

Improved Splice Strength,
Reduced Splice Time

A new conveyor belt splice technology from Goodyear Engineered Products can dramatically cut mine operation downtime and create stronger splices.

Goodyear Preform conveyor belt splices eliminate some of the guess work and on-site labor required to install conventional splices for steel-reinforced belts, according to Mike Braucher, Goodyear marketing manager for conveyor belt products.

Conventional splices require the installation of individual rubber strips called noodles between each steel cord across the width of the belt. To keep the cords and noodles in position, rubber cement is applied before top and bottom rubber panels are put into place.

"There are a lot of time-consuming steps involved in conventional splices," Mr. Braucher said. "In addition, spacing and alignment of the steel cords and resulting splice quality are largely dependent on the skill level of an individual doing the splicing."

Designed exclusively for Goodyear Flexsteel conveyor belts, Preform splice technology uses preformed, multi-grooved, top-and-bottom panels that replace noodles, insulation gum panels and cement. Individual steel-cords are properly spaced and aligned, requiring no cord cement which eliminates drying time.

"Shortened splice time and stronger, longer-lasting bonds all add up to less downtime and more production," said Mr. Braucher.

Splice tests conducted on the largest dynamic splice tester in the world at Goodyear's Marysville, Ohio, worldwide conveyor belt technical center validate the claim of 33% improved dynamic life of Preform splices.

"When the steel cords of belts being tested finally gave way, the breaks didn't occur at the splices," he said. "The weakest link of a belt doesn't have to be the splice."

Static-pull splice strength tests conducted at an independent laboratory showed that Preform splices were 11% stronger than belts tested with conventional splices.

Goodyear Preform splices have been used on Flexsteel belts at U.S., Canada, Indonesia, South Africa and Nigeria mine operations. "Splice times at these locations were decreased from 16 to 25%," said Mike Braucher.

And when a northern Alberta, Canada, oil sands operation broke one of the strongest conveyor belts ever produced, Preform splices carved off four days of splice work, saving the operation millions of dollars in downtime.

"Tests and proven field performance show that Preform is a time- and money-saver," he concluded.

Source: Goodyear Engineered Products