The harsh environments of the quarry operations offer no hiding place when it comes to the performance of the conveying equipment. Reliability and robust design are the top priority in any Quarry Manager's mind when it comes to conveyor equipment. Tight production deadlines and tighter maintenance budgets mean downtime is not an option.

Geo. Robson & Co (Conveyors) Ltd has designed, built and installed robust, reliable bulk material handling conveyor equipment into quarry operations around the globe. Bespoke designed conveyor systems suited to the material environment and climate of the operation. Multiple installations into quarrying industries such as: Oil, Cement, Chalk, Flint Potash, Gold, Coal, Gypsum, Iron Ore and Aggregates.

Combining traditional heavy engineering with modern computer aided design packages, the Robson engineers design and build the conveyor systems for the robust operation needed and expected by the customer.

Belt conveyors are the backbone of any mining or quarrying operation. Systems that ensure the bulk movement of material in excess of 1000 Tonnes per hour are commonplace within the industry, with the carrying length of the conveyor system virtually unlimited, the system can convey material from the quarry to the processing plant without the need for heavy transport.

Combinations of conveyors Weighers, Crushers, Magnets and Screens ensure the end product is sized and free from tramp metal ready or the next process. The belt conveyor has the flexibility of design to accommodate inclines and declines, enabling the structure to follow hillsides or to bridge over obstacles.

Robson addresses the threat of heavy material ripping or damaging the belt, when loaded via bucket loader, by using multi plied state of the art belt compounds and materials. This manufacturing technique ensures the conveyor belts are more rigid and durable, less likely to stretch and give.

Also by using impact rollers or boards the impact of the material is cushioned, very much like the shock absorbers on your car. Loading bunkers or chutes give the extra options of enhancing the loading operation by softening the loads impact and with the added benefit of reducing dust clouds with dry materials.

Belt tension is critical to the conveyor. If the tension of the conveyor belt is not set correctly the belt will slip when under load, at start up or in wet conditions. Robson recommends ceramic lagged pulleys, as the extra grip achieved ensures a smooth start up and, similar to a car tyre, the grooves on the ceramic pulley displace the water from the belt, giving optimum grip and conveying continuity without slip. Also the extra grip can compensate for slight differences in the belt tension.

Depending upon the material that is quarried, the conveyor can be open or enclosed, rough wet spoil is normally open whereas dry dusty material is enclosed to protect from the elements. The covers themselves have many options depending upon use and environment. In some cases fully enclosed gantries are used incorporating walkways or maintenance access routes.

Drives and gearboxes are critical components within the conveyor design. Robson sources the drives from chosen manufacturers with proven track records of reliability, and often the relationships with the drive manufacturers have been developed over many years of supply. With international names for the motors and gearboxes such as SEW, David Brown, ABB spares and service are just a phone call away, no matter where in the world.

The same can be said for the bearings; again recognisable names such as Cooper or SKF are used for their reputation for reliability and the worldwide availability.