| Beginners Guide |
|
Reference & Information Sources:
Flexible Steel Lacing Company
Nilos- (Hans Ziller KG)
"Belt Conveyors for Bulk Materials"
Definition:
Belt splicing may be defined as :
"The joining up of two trimmed ends of a conveyor belt utilising a defined chemical or mechanical procedure."
Basics:
Conveyor belt splicing is normally required in 3 specific instances:
- On new conveyor installations.
- During scheduled maintenance or refurbishing programmes.
- As an emergency or general repair procedure.
There are two basic splicing categories namely:
Vulcanised Splicing and Mechanical Splicing .
1. Vulcanised Splicing.
The Collins dictionary defines vulcanize as:
" to treat (rubber) with sulphur under heat and pressure to improve elasticity and
strength ".
On conveyor belting a vulcanised splice is formed by stepping the covers and plies of the two ends of plied belting, so that the two halves form an interlocking link when brought together.
A chemical compound is then applied between the two prepared halves, and the proposed splice area is subjected to pressure and heat using a vulcanising press.
On steelcord belting, the wire ropes forming the steel cords have to be exposed by removing the covers and surrounding rubber.
The ropes are then cut to specific lengths and are meticuously overlapped to specified patterns..
Once the ropes have been placed in position, a filler compound is added and the covers are positioned.
The prepared splice area is then subjected to the vulcanising press.
graphic: Nilos Catalogue
2. Mechanical Splicing .
Mechanical splices are formed by using special components manufactured from steel .
There are two basic types, namely "Hinged and Fixed plate"
The hinged systems consist of two interlocking halves, which are connected and hinge around a central connecting shaft.
graphic: Flexco Catalogue
The fixed plate system consists of upper and lower pre-drilled plates which span across the two belt ends and are fixed to the belt by means af special bolts or rivets.
