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Conveying Safety And Efficiency |
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The Mato conveyor belt fastening system
offers is locally manufactured. |
TUV and ISO 9001:2008 accredited Mato
Products, a subsidiary of the Multotec Group, remains the
only local manufacturer of mechanical conveyor belt
fastening systems in Africa. The short installation time as
well as extensive technical support and training in the
correct use of the Mato system have made it the preferred
choice for mining and materials-handling operations not only
in South Africa, but worldwide.
According to Trevor Jefferies, manager at Mato Products, the
sophisticated engineering design results in the remarkable
strength and durability of the system. “A minimum pressure
of three tons is exerted by the lacer on each clip and
staple as they are inserted in the conveyor, pressing the
plates into the surface of the belt and pushing the staples
through the carcass and two-stage bending. This results in
an interference fit so that the fasteners have considerable
pullout strength and resistance to the splice being ripped
out of the belt.” |
Some customers have reported splices that have lasted up to
three years, though Jefferies says that the average life of
a mechanical spliced belt varies from six to 12 months
depending on conditions.
The complete Mato conveyor belt fastening system consists of
a lacer, cutter, skiver, lacing pins, wavemaster and clips.
In addition to the clips, the innovative belt skiver itself
is manufactured in South Africa and is a particularly
important component in fastening nitrile-covered PVC and
rubber conveyor belts. The skiver removes the top and bottom
layer of rubber in the area of the splice so that the clips
are recessed and thereby protected from damage by belt
cleaners and idlers.
Mato Products now exports this to numerous countries. The
wavemaster system counteracts the wave effect when Mato
clips are used on rubber conveyors. The systems have been
approved by the standardisation committees of
multi-nationals such as SASOL and BHP Billiton for their
significant benefits.
Research is on-going and a considerable number of
accessories have been developed to supplement the
belt-fastening system. Four fastener sizes cater for all
belt requirements used in the mining industry, with all
fasteners being designed with a low profile to improve
scraper interaction and minimise wear and noise on pulleys
and idlers.
The two specific types of belt lacing systems manufactured
by Mato Products in South Africa are the U30 Series for
conveyors with a tensile strength greater than 1200 kN and
the S30 Series for conveyors with a tensile strength of less
than 1200 kN. Both U and S fasteners are manufactured in 200
mm long strips and in standard belt widths of 1 050 mm, 1
200 mm, 1 350 mm and 1 500 mm.
For the strongest possible connection of the splice and the
longest lifecycle, Jefferies recommends the U30 (Ultimate
Systems Series) whereas the S30 is suitable for
medium-strength belts in coal mining applications, quarries,
cement and steel plants and general industry. In these
applications, the S30 Series has proved to provide the most
cost effective belt splicing solution on the market.
The U38 clip is imported from Germany and packed for
standard belt widths from 1200 mm up to 2200 mm.
Mato’s professional technical team provides a reliable
support service, ensuring that installation proceeds
smoothly and that those responsible for the conveyor belt
are properly trained. This, together with the quality and
extended lifecycle of the system has ensured that the
product remains the leader in the industry.
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