ContiTech - Motion Control Tips

Continental’s Marysville, Ohio conveyor belt plant celebrates 50th

August 30, 2017 By Paul Heney Leave a Comment

Continental’s Marysville, Ohio, plant, its premier North American manufacturing facility for conveyor belting products, celebrated its 50^th anniversary recently.

“We are proud to share in this golden jubilee celebration of a highly versatile and productive facility,” said Jim Hill, ContiTech CEO for the North America Region. “This plant has made belting for facilities all over the world, and we are confident that it will continue that process into the future.”

The 375,000-sq.-ft. facility rests on a 110-acre plot of land about 30 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. The plant shipped its first conveyor belt on August 31, 1967. Total employment at the location is 292. Marysville primarily produces fabric and steel conveyor belting to service many industries from mining to power generation to construction and wood products. It has the capability to produce the world’s strongest conveyor belt, ST10000, which is a steel cord construction.

Continental ContiTech acquired the plant in January 2015.

“We are all now part of an organization that will enable us to strategically position ourselves to provide dynamic growth for all of the markets in which we compete in the North America region,” said Hill. “We continue to grow our customer network and provide the seamless distribution of our products with our focus on North America.”

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ContiTech conveyor plant in Kansas receives safety award

August 28, 2017 By Paul Heney Leave a Comment

Legg Company Inc., a unit of Continental’s division ContiTech, was among four companies to receive top honors for safety at the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers’ (ARPM) Environmental Health and Safety Summit here recently.

Legg, and three other companies, each received gold awards given to sites that reported no occupational injuries or illnesses during 2016, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). The Legg plant that received the award is a conveyor belt plant in Halstead, Kansas.

“This is indeed an honor for Legg, ContiTech and our Halstead, Kansas, plant,” said Jim Hill, president of ContiTech North America and head of the North American conveyor belt operations. “It is a testament to the tremendous work ethic and dedication to safe habits of general manager John Blankenship, Head of Production and Safety Cody Knauss, the entire Halstead management, staff and workers and their attention to safety awareness and accident prevention through behavior-based safety audits.”

ARPM’s safety awards program seeks to recognize safety in the rubber industry by awarding facilities that have achieved a level of performance above industry average. Awards are based on data reported by the company’s annual OSHA 300 log of work-related injuries and illnesses. The association said it received three times as many applications in 2017 compared to 2016.

“This program honors leaders in our association for achieving excellence in safety and health,” ARPM Managing Director Letha Keslar said in a statement. “These member companies are making safety a top priority and have gone to extensive measures to assure their most valuable asset, their employees, are safe on the job. We look forward to gathering in 2018 for the EHS Summit and continuing to celebrate safety in our member facilities.”

The Environmental Health and Safety Summit is an annual event hosted by ARPM designed to share best leadership and safety practices with industry professionals hoping to achieve world-class safety within their companies. ARPM said the 2017 summit doubled its attendance from prior years.

ARPM is managed by rubber business leaders and consists of more than 85 member companies.

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Conveyor belt monitoring process shows real time issues

June 13, 2017 By Paul Heney Leave a Comment

ContiTech has unveiled a unique conveyor belt monitoring process that allows users to see belt wear in real time.

“A red bonding layer below the top cover is exposed when it’s time to change the belt,” said Chris Marchant, product manager for conveyor belting. “In addition, the ContiAlert system is complete with a calculator that enables customers to determine how much time is remaining before the carcass is exposed and the belt is in need of replacement. It takes the guesswork out of belt replacement, and helps prevent downtime and increase uptime.”

“Prior to the introduction of ContiAlert, the end user was only aware that they had maximized their belt life when the carcass became fully exposed,” Marchant said. “The purpose of the covers is to protect the carcass. When the covers are removed and the carcass is exposed to the application or environment, this can negatively impact belt and splice performance. ContiAlert in real time provides a visual alert that cover wear is approaching exposure of the carcass.”

ContiAlert is available in the abrasion-resistant lineup of ContiTech Select Conveyor Belt specifications and compounds: Belt Specs – Plylon Plus 250/2, 275/3, 500/4 and 600/3 with a minimum 3/16-inch by 1/16-inch to a maximum of 3/8-inch by 1/8-inch covers; Abrasion-resistant compound Specs – Defender Plus, Stacker, Survivor and Survivor Plus.

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ContiTech Sicon Enclosed Belt Conveyor System protects materials and environment in transport

February 21, 2017 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

ContiTech is showcasing here to the North American market, Sicon, a unique enclosed belt conveyor system designed to cover materials in applications where protection from the elements or transportation over challenging paths are required.

“In addition to its inherent capability of protecting materials in transport, Sicon has the additional characteristic of extra-high flexibility which allows the belt system to fit requirements that demand curves of up to 180 degrees,” said Frank Merrbach, brand manager, Sicon conveyor system.

“This allows involved system designs that provide optimum conformity to topographical conditions, and there is the added benefit of being environmentally responsible.”

The unique technology also allows for serpentine routing that is often required in altitude differences over very short distances.

“The Sicon system can cope with corners and edges without the need for additional transfer points,” Merrbach said. Sicon designs can allow for gradients of up to 35 degrees and can reduce tensile load on the belt with the arrangement of several drive stations with at least 90 degrees encapsulation in the curves.

The Sicon conveyor belt system is applicable to these industries: Construction, power, cellulose, steel/metal, underground and surface mining, food and processing. For additional information visit this website: www.contitech.us.

ContiTech vertical conveyor belt systems designed to carry loads to new heights

February 21, 2017 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

ContiTech is showcasing to the North American market two conveyor belt products that can carry loads up a vertical incline as steep as 90 degrees both in above ground and underground applications.

The belt systems, called Flexowell and Pocketlift, are designed to transport bulk materials from loading point to unloading point up steep inclined, vertical applications.

“These products are evidence of the wide selection of conveyor belt products and services available to the industry from ContiTech,” said Benedikt Nothelle, Head of Sales and Application Engineering. “In brief, wherever raw materials are extracted, processed and distributed, ContiTech has a product to support those applications.”

Flexowell systems can carry materials over 1,640 feet (500 meters) in a vertical lift with capacities up to 6,000 tons per hour. These systems handle above ground and underground bulk materials from coarse-size coal and ore, rock, coarse sand or fertilizers, lump sizes from powdery, floury material up to 16 inches (400 mm). Applications include coal and wood-chip fired power stations, steel industry, ship loading and unloading as well as ship-to-ship loading and a variety of other industrial and agricultural applications.

Pocketlift systems are developed for deep shaft underground applications in the mining and tunneling industry with a lifting height up to 800 meters (over 2,620 feet) in a single fly. Pocketlift technology allows mining engineers and operators the opportunity for a continuous mass flow over several hundred feet lift height, providing additional benefits such as low energy consumption; small shaft diameter; low maintenance costs and no underground bunker system, just to name a few.

For additional information on ContiTech conveyor belting products visit this website: www.contitech.us.

Continental introduces new select ContiCleat conveyor belts for steep inclines

January 10, 2017 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Continental has introduced Select ContiCleat, a versatile conveyor belt for steep inclines and the most grueling conveyor applications.

“This is a very versatile belt, and can convey products whether you are dealing with steep inclines or simply need extra support to move material,” said Chris Marchant, product manager for conveyor belting. “We offer a wide range of U and V-shaped cleated belts.”

In 17 different profile options (14 USA-made), Continental Select cleated belts are ideal for conveying materials such as stone, sand, gravel, various would products and a multitude of recycling products by taking advantage of the many custom profiles and cleat designs that are available.

“In a one-inch cleat design with four different configurations, ContiCleat can convey products demanding up to a 45-degree incline,” Marchant said.

Profile options available from the ContiCleat Select portfolio include Wave Grip, Wave Grip Plus, Bucket Grip, Bucket Grip II, Signal, Backbone, Backbone Plus, Flux, Ultra Shift, Ultra Shift II, Master Grip, Crest Grip, Quadgrip, Summit, Pointer, Diamond Grip I and Diamond Grip II. For additional information, visit www.contitech.us.

Continental plant in Ohio honored with ambassador of energy efficiency award

November 18, 2016 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Continental’s St. Marys, Ohio, plant, its premier North American manufacturing facility for engineered products, recently received the Ambassador of Energy Efficiency award from Efficiency Smart, a Columbus-based company that assists companies with implementing energy-efficient products and services.

“We are proud to receive this award,” said Frank Smith, St. Marys’ plant engineering manager. “We had a great experience working with Efficiency Smart for our energy-efficient lighting upgrades. Their technical staff proved a valuable resource in measuring our energy usage and verifying the amount of energy and financial savings.”

During the year, Continental partnered with Efficiency Smart to replace metal halide lights in its facility with high-performance T8s (HPT8s). The company also installed LED wall-packs and LED flood lights.

“Since we operate 24 hours a day, the new lighting fixtures were able to reduce the company’s electric costs significantly,” said Smith. “As a result of the project, we expect to save 348,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and $341,500 over the lifetime of the installed products.”

Recognized by Columbus, Ohio-based Efficiency Smart
Estimated annual plant savings of $22,700
Lifetime savings of more than $341,000

The St. Marys plant is the 30^th recipient of the Ambassador of Energy Efficiency award since its inception in 2013.

Continental introduces Synchrochain carbon belts at 2016 PTDA summit

October 26, 2016 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Continental has introduced at the Power Transmission Distributor’s Association (PTDA) Summit, Conti Synchrochain Carbon power transmission belts for a variety of applications and industries.

“Conti Synchrochain Carbon is the strongest synchronous belt that Continental offers,” said Brent Holstine, product specialist, power transmission products. “It uses ultra high strength polyurethane and carbon cord to deliver more power in a smaller package. It’s the carbon that makes the difference. It allows the belt a higher power capacity, longer service life with hardly any initial tension loss.”

The belt can transmit up to five times more power than conventional timing belts with the same overall width – belt width can be reduced by up to 80 percent. In addition, the great stiffness of the cord in Conti Synchrochain Carbon means initial tension loss is cut to almost zero.

“Over the lifetime of the belts this represents a further enhancement in drive efficiency,” said Holstine.

Conti Synchrochain Carbon is a light but durable polyurethane belt. It is high-tensile and, at the same time, longitudinally stable carbon for the tension member. “The intelligent design with high-quality materials ensures clean, smooth and particularly reliable power transmission both at high torques or dynamic loads,” Holstine added.

For additional information on Conti Synchrochain Carbon belts, visit www.contitech.us.

Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2015, the corporation generated sales of €39.2 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 215,000 people in 55 countries.

As a division in the Continental group, ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industrial specialists. Its customers can be found in key industries such as machine and plant engineering, mining, the agricultural industry, and the automotive industry. With around 43,000 employees in 44 countries, the company uses its development and material expertise for products and systems made of rubber, plastic, metal, textile, and electronic components to combine these with individual services. ContiTech always thinks in terms of customer-friendly and environmentally friendly solutions – going well and truly beyond its roots as a producer of rubber products. With sales of €5.4 billion (2015), this international technology partner is active with core branches in Europe, Asia, NAFTA, and South America.

New rubber track from ContiTech for toughest applications

May 4, 2016 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Robust and high-performance: Continental Trackman is a world-leading brand of rubber tracks for the agricultural and construction sectors. ContiTech is now launching a re-designed rubber track to the market, Trackman XP.

This product is designed as a positive drive track, and has been adapted to the requirements of the off-highway sector. Not only does it reduce vibrations and improve the ride comfort, the developers have also increased the service life once again. More after the jump.

Trackman XP rubber tracks feature a high-performance structure with positive-locking drive lugs. “The rubber tracks are built with a special anti-vibration technology that reduces vibrations and thus increases the driver’s comfort, particularly when pulling heavy loads,” said Rob Schultz, product manager for rubber tracks. “In addition, the optimized rubber compound of the treads ensures low wear and offers protection against damage.”

The new product is constructed with Maxxtuff, a trademarked process that includes several layers with a great density of steel cords. As a result, Trackman XP now has the highest concentration of steel cords on the market. And to complement this, the patented Armorlug technology ensures a longer service life. “In this technology, we use two layers of a reinforced fabric ply without overlaps or adhesion,” says Schultz. “The fabric strengthens all four sides of the drive lugs, and stretches into the carcass in order to ensure additional protection. In addition, the Trackman XP is the rubber track with the highest corrosion resistance on the market thanks to its patented zinc-coated cord.”

Rubber tracks for cost-effective solutions

Rubber tracks are designed to work on both positive and friction drive agricultural and construction equipment. Compared with wheels, they distribute the weight of the equipment more evenly across a larger surface to prevent soil compaction. Continental Trackman rubber tracks are constructed with the largest of equipment and toughest of applications in mind. Even at drive capacities of over 500 hp, they offer extreme traction on soft, pliable soils, while their high abrasion resistance and long service life are impressive, even in the most difficult of conditions. The Trackman rubber tracks consume less energy than other track variants, forming the basis for complete economic solutions that are profitable throughout the entire operating life.

Resistant ECO2 air actuators open up new applications

May 4, 2016 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

ContiTech has extended its air actuator product range: The company is the first manufacturer in the world to offer air actuators made of an ECO compound with improved resistance to chemicals and environmental influences. The new ECO² air actuators can now also be used in applications in which they are exposed to lubricating oils, corrosive vapors, and alkalis. One potential area of application, among many, is the paper industry.

“Our ECO² air actuators are ideally suited to the specific demands of this environment,” explains Verena Weiss, head of the Industry segment at ContiTech Air Spring Systems.

ECO² air actuators are made of the elastomer epichlorohydrin and are particularly suited to high-temperature applications. Depending on the design, they can be used at ambient temperatures of up to +130°C.

ContiTech’s new ECO² compound is also lead-free, in response to the European Union’s REACH regulation, as lead oxide is suspected of being harmful to health. This makes it a candidate for the hazardous chemical substances blacklist.

“That’s why we switched to a lead-free ECO² compound, to ensure we would still be able to supply our products even if lead oxide is banned,” says Weiss.

The new and improved ECO² air actuators are now part of ContiTech’s product range and are available for almost all the models in the C, D, and R series. Further product development remains a possibility.

Solutions for demanding industry sectors

ContiTech has also adapted the air actuators’ connections in order to meet the specific requirements of particularly sensitive industry sectors. The air actuator models 40 to 530 in the C series now also come with stainless steel plates that are resistant to most acids. Instead of the widely used V2A stainless steel, ContiTech uses high-grade, acid-resistant V4A stainless steel. An additional alloy means that the material is even more resistant to corrosion, especially when exposed to chemicals and environments containing chloride. “This particular feature makes our new development suitable for many industries in which corrosive chemicals and environments are encountered,” says Weiss.

For example, the air actuators with the new stainless steel plates can be used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, where components often come into direct contact with chemicals. Especially in areas in which heavy-duty cleaning agents are used, acid-resistant steel is a must. At the same time, in many applications the components also need to be resistant to the flow of liquids and gases.

“The new connections meet both requirements fully,” says Weiss.

The paper industry makes similar demands: high humidity and extreme heat combined with chemicals pose a challenge to the materials. Stainless steel helps to avoid downtimes and their associated costs. Corrosion prevention is also extremely important in the food and beverage industry, in order to meet all the hygiene standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for example. Therefore only materials with high resistance to chemicals and environmental influences are used in this sector.