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c o n v e y o r e q u i p m e n t c o n t i n u e d November 2015 www.coalage.com 29 can increase idler spacing beyond the typ- ical 4-ft and 8 ft/5 ft and 10-ft idler spac- ing. A simple Statix calculation can determine the optimum idler spacing for a particular application. At the same time, we can also look at the entire conveyor design to determine if any other design parameters are affected." Flexco's Driving Results Efficiency, especially when a mine is searching for it, can be improved in a number of ways. Installation practices, and the speed at which the work can be completed, is just one of those routes. What if installation time could be cut by one-third? Calculating the savings of man- power and money alone is a boggling thought. Flexco believes it has the key to that savings with the introduction of its Pneumatic Single Rivet Driver, which it has designed for use with Flexco SR fas- teners and installation bases. The tool, initially released in 2012, seems to address all of the components a belt crew would ask for if they could design their own tool: a dual handle for balance and ergonomic gripping, a heavy- duty drive rod for high-quality splices and air-powered with a pneumatic driving force; a single trigger pull per rivet can save a mine time as well as reduce worker fatigue. Additionally, collated rivets with wash- ers and a specially designed steel guide block ensure that each time the trigger is pulled, a consistent splice is made. "The pneumatic single rivet driver real- ly takes the guesswork out of rivet driving to give users a uniform, long-lasting splice every time," Flexco product manager Aaron Rosso said. "The tool allows for more compression of the fastener plates, which results in a smooth and consistent splice…compatible with conveyor com- ponents." The pneumatic single rivet driver, which comes with a portable carrying case for easy transport, is available now. Realignment With Richwood — A New Perspective One major issue Richwood's clients tackle is that of belt side travel. According to the company, a new way of looking at the problem is needed which will change the perspective from correcting misalignment issues to preventing them. "Conveyor belting can track off-center for many reasons," according to COO Kevin Maloy. "Traditional methods of attempting to correct these issues have included conventional training idlers that come in a variety of designs. All of the designs include some kind of reactive moving component like pivots or swivels that are engaged when belt misalignment occurs. The intent is to move the belting back to the correct path of travel. Sometimes these methods are helpful, but in other applications they are found to be ineffective." In many cases, conveyor operations use products that incorporate edge guide rollers; however, this can actually dam- age belting, which in turn will lead the o p e r a t i o n t o h a v e t o r e p l a c e t h a t b e l t prematurely. Additionally, the compo- nent's pivots and swivel bearings have the potential to eventually seize, in turn becoming inffective and creating addi- tional risk of belt damage. One thing that is a common denomi- n a t o r b e t w e e n c o n v e n t i o n a l t r a i n i n g i d l e r s , M a l o y n o t e d , i s i n t h e h e a r t o f their design — to react to changes in the path of travel of the belt, including pivot- i n g t h e i d l e r b r i n g t h e b e l t b a c k t o i t s center position. "In order to get the trainer to respond, the belt must have already misaligned," Maloy said. "The training idler then com- Flexco released its PSRD (Pneumatic Single Rivet Driver) tool this year. Richwood's ON-Track at work in the field.