OVERVIEW
A leading timber and paper export facility in Western Australia handles large volumes of wood fibre and woodchips through a series of conveyors feeding storage and ship-loading areas.
The lightweight, fibrous nature of the product made spillage and dust emissions a constant challenge at transfer points. Over time, traditional rubber skirting used on the conveyors began to wear unevenly, allowing material to escape and creating housekeeping and safety issues. As the problem persisted, grooves started to form on the belt surface, caused by excessive pressure from the rubber skirting. This led to increased belt wear and reduced sealing performance.
CHALLENGE
- Eliminate spillage of fibrous material along transfer points.
- Protect conveyor belts from further groove and surface wear
- Reduce manual cleanup and downtime.
- Minimise dust generation and improve housekeeping standards.
The customer faced a challenge in finding a durable and reliable skirting solution that could eliminate the spillage of fibrous material along transfer points, protect conveyor belts from further groove and surface wear, and reduce manual cleanup and downtime.
Additionally, they sought to minimise dust generation and improve housekeeping standards. Their objective was clear — to identify a long-term sealing solution that would effectively contain wood fibre and chip material while maintaining minimal belt contact pressure and reducing the need for ongoing maintenance.
SOLUTION
Kinder Australia recommended and supplied the K-Snap-Loc® Dust & Spillage Control System, an engineered polyurethane skirting designed for consistent belt sealing and long wear life.
The K-Snap-Loc® system features a snap-in, snap-out design that allows for fast installation and easy maintenance without special tools. Its low-friction polyurethane composition applies even pressure across the belt edge, preventing groove formation and ensuring optimal sealing performance.
For this application, K-Snap-Loc® was installed at key transfer and loading zones, where material spillage and belt wear had previously been most severe. The improved sealing capability helped contain both fine wood fibres and larger woodchips, reducing both spillage and dust emissions.
RESULTS
- Significant reducton in spillage and dust emissions.
- Cleaner, safer working environment.
- Prevention of further belt groove formation.
- Long operational life before replacement was needed.
After installing the K-Snap-Loc® Dust & Spillage Control System, the site saw a dramatic reduction in spillage and dust emissions, resulting in a cleaner, safer, and more efficient workplace.
The system prevented belt wear, extended belt life, and required minimal maintenance, delivering long-term reliability. Its outstanding sealing performance and durability proved K-Snap-Loc® to be a cost-effective solution for demanding timber export operations. K-Snap-Loc® Dust & Spillage Control System delivered a lasting, low-maintenance solution for wood fibre handling applications.
By effectively controlling spillage and protecting conveyor belts from wear, the system helped the facility maintain cleaner, safer, and more efficient conveyor operations.
Kinder’s engineered solution has proven to be a dependable, high-performance choice for timber and paper export facilities seeking to improve productivity and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.