Case Study: Mining Manipulator

Maintenance personnel were required to change out failed rollers on a mine grade conveyor system running several miles underground. Limited work space, multiple obstacles, and heavy parts led to ergonomic problems. Restricted power sources and underground environmental conditions limited the available equipment to perform tasks. The end user was looking for a solution to improve operator ergonomics as well as the overall efficiency of the maintenance process.

Personnel had to lift the conveyor belt for access to the rollers and then reach across the conveyor support structure to remove the 72 pound rollers. Positech provided a custom-designed rail car manipulator with roller flow rack system; a manipulator arm for roller removal and placement; and a special jib and hoist to lift and hold the conveyor belt to facilitate access to the rollers, including a dump station with tilt feature for the expired rollers.

Using a tamper car provided by the end user, Positech designed, manufactured, assembled, and mounted a complete integrated system with the power source generated by and pulled along the tracks accompanying the conveyor, by the user’s locomotive. The material handling solution included adjustable flood lights.

Read more case studies like this in the September issue of Industrial Lift & Hoist.