Chute Problem Checklist


William E. Sabina
Richard P Stahura
R Todd Swinderman

Acknowledgements : Bionic Research Institute - Chute Design Conference 1992

DESPITE their apparent simplicity the effective design of transfer chutes requires a great deal of experience and understanding.

This problem checklist has been prepared to help designers focus on the significant issues involved.

William E. Sabrina - W.E. Sabina Inc., Denver Colorado U.S.A.

Richard P Stahura and R. Todd Swinderman are both from Martin Engineering Co. Neponset, Illinois U.S.A.

1. PROBLEM - SPILLAGE

  a. Skirtboard too far from belt

  b. Load Zone Turbulence

  c. Load Centering

  d. Transfer Housing Acting as a Hopper

  e. Poor Skirtboard Seal

  f. Impact Idler Maintenance

  g. Inadequate Skirtboard Length

2. PROBLEM - DUST CONTROL

3. PROBLEM - LOAD CENTERING

4. PROBLEM - MATERIAL DEGRADATION

5. PROBLEM - BELT TRACKING

6. PROBLEM - POOR CLEAN-UP PROVISIONS

7. PROBLEM - CHUTE WEAR

8. PROBLEM - INADEQUATE PROVISION FOR BELT CLEANING EQUIPMENT

9. PROBLEM - INADEQUATE INSPECTION CAPABILITY

10. PROBLEM - BELT DAMAGE FROM LARGE LUMPS

11. PROBLEM - BELT WEAR AND ABUSE

12. PROBLEM - MATERIAL BUILD-UP/PLUGGING

13. PROBLEM - NOISE

14. PROBLEM - SLATTED SELF-CLEANING TAIL PULLEYS

15. PROBLEM - STRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR EXITING CONVEYOR

16. PROBLEM - LACK OF DESIGN ATTENTION

17. PROBLEM - THE SIMPLE EXISTANCE OF A TRANSFER

18. PROBLEM - CONVEYOR IS LOADED IN TRANSITION AREA OF BELT

19. PROBLEM - CORROSION

20. PROBLEM - SKIRTS NOT SUPPORTED RIGIDLY ENOUGH

21. PROBLEM - SPILLAGE TRIPS BELT ALIGNMENTS

22. PROBLEM - PRE-FABRICATED SYSTEMS REQUIRE ALTERATION IN FIELD

23. PROBLEM - INSUFFICIENT ROOM FOR BELT REPLACEMENT

24. PROBLEM - AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT

25 PROBLEM - MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE UNKNOWN

26 PROBLEM - DETERMINING BULK DENSITY

27. PROBLEM - ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION BASED ON INSTALLED COSTS

28. PROBLEM - CLEANLINESS

29. PROBLEM - ACCESS TO BOTH SIDES OF CONVEYOR EQUIPMENT

30. PROBLEM - BUILD-UP ON INSIDE RETURN STRAND OF CONVEYOR

31. PROBLEM - SAFETY