Get a job with a materials handling company that has a track record in supplying successful pipe conveyors ■

Pipe conveyor manufacturers are very reluctant to disclose their design criteria. On these forums (fora?) we get occasional glimpses into the capabilities and drawbacks of pipe conveyors. Some folk even call them tube belts. When somebody is reluctant to disclose the information then uncertainty prevails. Perhaps that is why plants shy away from tube belts. I certainly do. Until there is a recognised published text them you remain at the mercy of the manufacturer. Especially if you work for one.

Back in 1989 I was working in Germany and tube belts were generally still novel. We put out enquiries and got the brochures from a couple of major German outfits. Lo and behold; the same photos appeared on both brochures. Under inquisition it transpired that the same Dr Somebody or Other had transferred from A to B and so they both had the technology. As if! The only reasons not to teach is because they don't know.

Learn something else.

(Now I expect to hear of a text on tube belts...) ■

Originally Posted by louispanjang

(Now I expect to hear of a text on tube belts...)

I see your expectations have been fulfilled ....................... ■

CEMA 6th Ed. has a some pages on pipe conveyors. I think it wasn't aimed to "guide" to design one but giving some insights.

This one may be useful a bit:

http://www.loefflerengineering.com/pipepaper.html

So far, CKIT source is the most helpful one (IMHO). ■

Originally Posted by louispanjang

When somebody is reluctant to disclose the information then uncertainty prevails.

Hehehe. I'm sure that some people are exploiting this "uncertainity". We'll find them out as we learn pipe conveying. ■

It's called 'keeping an edge over the competition' ■

In chaos there is opportunity.

All manufacturers advertise their specific better mouse-traps. Once you see the mouse-trap, then a compilation can be formed to see who is standing when you continue to probe the differences.

If the manufacturer's disagree, then prudent engineering principles should be able to point out the differences. We must ask how it works. Mfgrs hide behind - U dont ask & I dont tell - Trust me - Company Secret - Done it 1000 times - bla bla bla.

There can be a misunderstanding in the saleman's pitch and how it truly works. You must make the difference. I suggest a start is the Goodyear Veyance "CONFINE" approach to why pipe conveyors behave differently. Understanding pipe rotation, power draw, spillage, edge wear, edge damage, et al can be inferred from the CONFINE concept.

If you need a more explicit interpretation, write me with a design issue. I will answer reasonable questions. ■

arhashokkumar

You should also have a look at this:

https://forum.bulk-online.com/archiv....php/f-75.html

and this:

https://forum.bulk-online.com/archiv...x.php/f-9.html

and of course this:

https://forum.bulk-online.com/archive/index.php

Regards,

-

Reinhard Wohlbier ■

Hello arhashokkumar,

To know about the pipe conveyor design you may do following:

1) Firstly obtain product leaflet from manufacturers of pipe conveyor. This will provide certain information about application, constructional features and also some information about design issues.

2) One cannot design any equipment, unless he is familiar to its construction, components and assemblies. This will become known from sr. no. (1).

3) Then try to design yourself, but it may not be marketable design, because marketable design requires many testing and field data.

4) For marketable design (design of practical use), one has to contact such equipment known designer and learn from him to the extent feasible. Such design information happens to be of proprietary nature, and everything may not be available in casual / free manner, but still it will be good enough to understand design aspects and design philosophy.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyors.

Author of Book : Belt Feeder Design and Hopper Bin Silo

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Pune, India.

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25871916

Email: parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in ■

I read on the forum some time passed that “nothing has changed in belt conveying for a 100 years”.

The majority of engineers I come across tend to be very afraid of exposing their knowledge to the world because “it will be stolen”.

I adopted the approach that you can’t take it with you when you go so you should at least share it with those you trust.

The Ckit web site is a compilation of my office shelves, it contains most of what I have learned over the years and it is available to everyone who is interested in advancing in the subject.

What makes a good engineer? this can be easily related to the mistakes he has made and his ability to find the correct solution to the problem he has created, this is obviously called “experience”.

No matter how much information is made available to the new engineer it is his PASSION for the subject that allows him to advance to the level of excellence necessary to overcome the restrictions placed on him by the industry.

Engineers living in fear of failure will not allow new innovation to be developed, refined and become the industry standard thus the statement “we have not advanced for 100 years” has merit.

This forum was developed to pass on “Experience” to young aspiring engineers not to frighten them away to this end we should be encouraging young engineers to share our knowledge and be enlightened by our mistakes. ■