Vulcanising Vs. Clipping
As companies search for increased productivity it’s more important than ever to explore and understand the two main methods of conveyor belt joining. Conveyor systems are a prominent piece of machinery at most quarries and mines and are one of the first checkpoints when looking to optimise productivity… which let’s be honest, is the ultimate goal.
In most applications there are two methods that we use at County Conveyors, mechanical fasteners (also known as clipping) which joins belt ends by metal hinges or plates and Vulcanising. For our clips choose to use Flexco® clips and have done so for a great many years due to their quality and endurance. Vulcanising is the alternate option which is to join belt ends through heat, sometimes with the combination of chemicals for an enhanced join.
In order to make a well informed and educated decision on which method is best for you or what suits your machinery; we’re going to go over the pros and cons for each method. You may be asking yourself if there are environmental impacts, are there time constraints, and what are the costs associated with the dreaded conveyor downtime?
Vulcanising
A complex procedure that is best carried out by experienced experts in order to achieve a smooth join, minimising the risk of harmful wear to the belt, including tearing or snagging. There is hot vulcanising and cold vulcanising; both require unique tools and an extensive wealth of knowledge of the rubber bonding process.
Both processes require the belt to be disassembled and prepared according that particular belts joining recommendation (all are unique). With over three decades of experience, we understand the importance of proper belt preparation and how it can ensure joints will hold.
In short, vulcanised splicing can be used where:
The belt is clean and free of sand, oil, material fines and any other contaminating agents
The adhesive of choice is compatible with the belt
The belt is without excessive wear or new
The procedure is best performed by an experienced, trust and certified vulcaniser
The work environment is at an optimal temperature and moisture level
There is plenty of room to work and easy access to the area that needs splicing
There is enough downtime available to allow for a properly installed vulcanised splice
Mechanical Fasteners
Mechanical splice installation is simple and quick. Most mechanical splices can be finished in less than one hour, depending on the belt thickness and width. They are installed by our team with easy-to-use and portable installation tools.
Reduced belt wastage is a bonus with mechanical splicing because it is visible, deterioration and wear is apparent and can be dealt with before a complete belt failure. Contrary to vulcanised splices, which typical deteriorate from the inside out if poor adhesion has been carried out.
Mechanical fasteners are a good choice for both new and older, worn belts, no matter what the belt condition. Installation tools are easily transported to the job site and offer our team versatility in installation methods. During the installation process mechanical fasteners can be countersunk, allowing the fastener plates to be completely flush with the belt’s cover, eliminating interference with any tight-fitting scrapers, skirt boards and any other conveyor belt components.