DYNA Engineering is taking its HDPE product range to the next level through a new under conveyor guard.
A common challenge in the mining industry is material falling off the conveyor belt during operation, resulting in potential injury to personnel, equipment and surrounding assets. As the resources sector increasingly prioritises conveyor safety, DYNA Engineering has designed and manufactured under conveyor guards (UCG) made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Also known as dropped objects protection, DYNA’s UCG is designed to stop debris, spillage and other objects from falling to the ground through the conveyor structure.
The primary feature of DYNA’s UCG is its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panel, known for being lightweight, durable and resistant to heat, chemicals, water and corrosion.
“We found that larger UCGs weighed over 20 to 25kg, and mine sites started implementing weight restrictions to about 15kg for one-person lifts,” DYNA general manager Thomas Greaves told Australian Mining.
“We thought if we could make our UCG weigh 15kg, it would reduce the weight and could be carried by one person rather than several. This not only reduces the risk of repetitive lifting injuries, but the need for additional people and mechanical lifting aids.”
The UCG’s HDPE panel is designed to capture materials greater than the slot size and prevent them falling to the ground. Its plastic mesh allows finer and non-hazardous particles to fall through.
“Traditional steel guards require surface treatment,” Greaves said.
“When a guard’s paint comes off during conveyor transportation, it exposes the underlying steel to corrosion. The only real way to fix this is to hand- or spray-paint the guards.
“Such is their durability, HDPE guards can be scratched, hit, damaged and thrown to the ground, and it won’t impact their service life.”
By removing the need for regular maintenance, as well as the associated costs, DYNA prolongs the service life of the UCG and keeps conveyors online for longer.
“In a highly corrosive environment, we’re finding that some customers are replacing their steel guards every 18 to 24 months due to corrosion and damage, meaning they can no longer act as a suitable barrier,” Greaves said.
“Our HDPE guards have a service life of 10 to 15 years. Customers are paying the same price as they would for a steel guard, but the product is lasting five to six times longer.”
Built as a modular system, the UCG can be easily fitted to conveyor systems. Its plastic mesh can also be easily fixed, removed and washed down for maintenance.
A large copper mine in South Australia recently purchased DYNA’s HDPE UCG to prevent falling objects from hitting pedestrian areas around conveyors.
“We designed a specific hinge design feature for them, allowing them to easily detach one side of the system,” Greaves said. “This permitted the HDPE guard to swing down, providing even quicker access to maintenance. This is now a standard feature of the HDPE guard.”
Customer feedback plays a key role in informing DYNA’s research and development (R&D).
“We have a large base of new and ongoing clients, which we work closely with to understand how they and their DYNA product are going,” Greaves said.
“Regular customer feedback helps inform our R&D processes and ultimately supports the development of products that are even better than they were before.”
Known for being recyclable, HDPE is seen as a more environmentally friendly material than traditional steel.
As miners look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and increase conveyor safety, DYNA’s HDPE UCG is proving itself as a sustainable and long-lasting solution.
This article appeared in the October issue of Australian Mining magazine.
