Muller Beltex has many years of experience and global expertise in the bulk and processing industry. That is why, as a renowned knowledge and service provider, we are often approached by equipment manufacturers and end users who are encountering problems with their equipment.

For some time, Muller Beltex has taken a new approach to inspecting elevators, by using a camera with a recording function. The enclosed system of elevators offer the possibility to conduct observation quickly and in a cost-efficient way. By drilling a small hole in the elevator, the camera can be used at various positions to see what is going on inside. The recordings give a clear picture of the product flow and of any blockages, or other problems, as well as of the effects of any improvements that may have been made.

In the case of this specific elevator, a minor adjustment was needed to bring about an improvement. The footage shows that the product flow was being pushed too far to the right when it entered the elevator causing it to be unevenly distributed in the elevator buckets. The buckets were being emptied earlier than they should have been, causing the product to be “returned” in the up- and downgoing leg. As a result the elevator needed more time to run empty after each product charge. The product is discharged out of the buckets before it is supposed to.

The inspection footage throws light onto this situation. The solution was to move the product feed towards the centre of the inlet allowing more even filling of the buckets and better discharge, which greatly reduces the amount of product being “returned”. Further optimisation of the production process will be phased in with the introduction of other cost-effective measures whereby the maximum potential of the elevator will be reached. See the video footage of the inspection at the top of the page.

For more information, please get in touch with one of our specialists. They’ll be glad to advice you.