Martin Engineering launches new urethane conveyor belt sealing portfolio in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India

Martin Engineering, has launched its suite of polyurethane sealing systems for conveyor transfer points in three new continents.

With belt sealing innovations that eliminate spillage and fugitive dust when bulk materials transfer onto a moving conveyor, the new portfolio is now available in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent (EMEAI). The products deliver unrivalled containment, outstanding durability and low-maintenance performance for mining companies, quarry operators and bulk material processors.

By launching its polyurethane belt sealing products together as a comprehensive portfolio in EMEAI, Martin Engineering is offering customers a choice of sealing technologies matched to the particular demands of each conveyor transfer point.

Reiner Fertig, Business Development Manager for Conveyor Products in Martin Engineering EMEAI said: “Effective belt sealing is fundamental to controlling material spillage and airborne dust at conveyor transfer points. Our expanded polyurethane sealing portfolio gives customers across the region a comprehensive choice of solutions to protect their sealing systems from impact, accommodate limited belt-edge space, or provide durable containment.

“The common theme across the portfolio is practical, highly-engineered performance through product designs that keep material where it belongs, within the material flow. That reduces the need for adjustment and maintenance, and not only makes transfer points perform better but also makes them safer and easier to service.”

Already introduced across North and South America over the past 12 months, the polyurethane product range offers solutions for several different transfer point configurations and operating conditions:

• Martin® Skirtboard Liner with T-Bolt Slot – installed inside conveyor transfer point skirtboards to absorb impact and abrasion while creating a dam that shields the sealing system from the weight of the material load. By protecting the sealing system from direct material contact, the liner helps prolong seal life and contributes to more effective containment, whilst allowing for safe and straightforward external adjustment.
• GravitySeal™ Self-Adjusting Skirting – delivers a reliable skirtboard seal that prevents spillage and reduces problems caused by fugitive material. The system automatically adjusts to maintain an effective seal, removing the need for routine skirtboard adjustment. Its design is well suited to conveyors where there is minimal free belt edge or limited clearance around the transfer point.
• GravitySeal™ Self-Adjusting Skirting HD Max – provides heavy-duty, self-adjusting sealing for the most demanding conveyor belt transfer point applications. The system maintains an effective seal while accommodating fluctuations in belt travel, helping operators control spillage and fugitive material without the continual manual adjustment associated with conventional skirtboards.
• Martin® ApronSeal™ Urethane Skirting – a durable sealing system providing reliable containment of material fines. Available as a one-piece or two-piece seal assembly, the system uses a primary urethane seal together with a self-adjusting secondary seal. The secondary seal extends outward to capture dust and fines while remaining clear of the main material flow.

Martin Engineering has long advocated an engineered approach in which belt support, chute design and sealing work together to stabilise the belt and contain the material flow. The company’s transfer point solutions are used to address spillage, dust and material containment problems across industries including mining, cement, steel, aggregates, energy minerals and other bulk handling applications.

The new portfolio is available through Martin Engineering’s country business unit organisation, with hands-on technical assistance available to help customers identify the appropriate sealing solution for their conveyor and transfer point requirements.

Case Study – Vale CPBS, Itaguaí, RJ, Brazil
Martin’s belt sealing range is already available in Brazil, where global mining company Vale operates an extensive iron ore logistics network. In Rio de Janeiro, Vale’s Portos Sul complex includes the Companhia Portuária Baía de Sepetiba (CPBS) terminal at Itaguaí, a key facility for the shipment of iron ore. At CPBS, frequent conveyor belt replacement and material spillage at a critical transfer point was causing excess maintenance costs and impacting operational efficiency. Material buildup was identified as a major cause of accelerated belt wear. This not only reduced belt service life but also contributed to material escaping from the sides of the loading area.

Following an assessment of the operating conditions in partnership with Martin Engineering, a sealing kit comprising a Martin® Skirtboard Liner and GravitySeal™ Self-Adjusting Skirting was installed at the same time as the conveyor belt replacement. The solution was designed to improve transfer point containment, prevent mineral buildup, reduce friction between the conveyed material and the belt, and eliminate side spillage.

After just one month of operation, measured belt wear fell from approximately 2.0 mm to 0.5 to 0.7 mm. As a result, expected conveyor belt service life increased from approximately 6 months to more than 18 months, significantly reducing the frequency of belt replacement and associated maintenance costs. Side spillage was also virtually eliminated, delivering further benefits through improved housekeeping, enhanced operational safety and reduced material loss.

Further information:
Martin Engineering
www.martin-eng.com