BeltBot
Automated Conveyor Skirt Liner Inspections
Beltbot measures the air gap between hard skirt liners and conveyor belts with sub-millimetre precision, to help you optimise your conveyor maintenance and reduce your costs.
The system uses Geobotica’s 3D laser scanning system combined with full-colour cameras, which are integrated into a rugged robotic platform. Beltbot crawls down a conveyor belt during a shutdown period as the system automatically measures the air-gap height between the belt and the skirt liner, replacing tedious and error-prone manual human measurements.
Skirt liner monitoring for the modern day
Skirt-liner air gaps need to be between 3 and 5mm for optimal performance. If it is too low, conveyor belts can wear out or even rip prematurely, costing up to millions in replacement and even more in lost production time. If the gap is too high, the skirt liners are not doing their job of keeping the product on the conveyor belt, leading to leakage into other areas of your equipment, or ‘boiling’ wear caused by trapped material rolling around and wearing out conveyor components.
Measuring air gaps usually needs to be done manually by humans using a taper gauge, which is an error-prone and demanding task. The area is dark, confined, hot and uncomfortable, and demands meticulous attention to detail and experience to take and record accurate measurements. Due to these mounting inconveniences, important data often slips through the cracks.
Enter BeltBot. The system automates that process using a combination of 3D laser scanners and artificial intelligence.
Powered by AI
Geobotica has developed artificial intelligence and machine vision algorithms to automate conveyor skirt liner inspections. The algorithms convert the millions of 3D laser points collected into only the critical measurements you need, automating a job that may otherwise take hours. The algorithms measure the 3D air gap between the conveyor trough angle and the skirt liner, the overall skirt liner height, as well as the amount of wear of the skirt liner on from bottom to centre and centre to top.
Work order instructions automatically generated
At the end of an inspection, BeltBot automatically generates a work order, giving detailed directions on which skirt liners need adjustment, which need to be flipped upside down, and which need to be replaced altogether.
Automating your maintenance inspections saves time and removes errors that can creep in from manual data measurements and double-handling.
Measure in real-time or process back in your airconditioned office
Beltbot allows you to take measurements live in the field for the fastest possible feedback. It also is a flexible system, allowing you to record data in the field, then process and review the data back at your desk. Either way, there is no need for a human to climb onto the conveyor to take the measurements.
Built for the toughest conditions
Beltbot is built for tough conditions. It can drive through a conveyor belt that is on fire or be completely submersed in water and crawl out the other side. Its tough treads drive with high torque, able to carry an incredible 80 kg load and still return to base. Its rechargeable battery system is tough allowing it to crawl for over a 1km before requiring a recharge. Dusty? Not a problem. At only 16 kg, this system can be carried by hand.
The Features of BeltBot
Laser Scanner
Combined with AI, it automatically measures the gap, finds the centre-bolts, and measures the dimensions of the liner and assesses maintenance task required.
Remote Control Robot
Can be controlled by a human or set onto automatic robot mode.
Cameras
Allows you to monitor the condition of your skirt liners in real time from a comfortable distance.
EXPORT Data
Data recording and screen plug-in so you can analyse the data in your office space.
AI Algorithms
AI detects the lower edge and algorithms detect the liner’s 3D angle.
Adjustment Checklist
BeltBot will generate a checklist showing what needs to be done with each skirt liner. i.e. Adjust or replace.
Benefits of BeltBot
Accurate Data:
The automated skirt liner gap data improves the operation and reliability of your conveyor systems.
Digital Record Keeping:
Have a record of skirt liner conditions accessible at all times to see wear rates over time and improve reliability engineering processes.
Safety:
By automating otherwise manual measurements, you can remove people from uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environments.
Speed:
No need for managers or reviewers to convert manual measurments into digital measurements then into work orders. BeltBot automates this process and generates work orders you can action on the fly.
Quality:
For quality control and to ensure your air gaps have been correctly adjusted, use BeltBot before and after the adjustment of your conveyor skirt liners.
Reduce conveyor downtime:
The ultimate goal is to reduce or remove premature belt failure due to skirt liners cutting into your conveyor belt. This reduces unforeseen cost in belt replacement, and far greater savings by avoiding lost production time.
Book your free demo of BeltBot
Contact us to book your free online demo of BeltBot and its programming. In the session we will take you through case studies, show you video footage of BeltBot at work, and answer any questions you have. This is a free and no-obligation way of learning if this cutting edge technology is suitable for your site.
BeltBot is an Australian-made, patent-pending innovation from sensor-focused research and development house Geobotica.
Brisbane-based Geobotica works with industry partners to develop world-leading sensors, software and AI solutions for industry.
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