5 Signs Your Coal Handling Equipment Needs Updated in 2018

If you have been putting up with old coaling handling material equipment, 2018 might be the perfect year to finally update your facility. For those who are hesitant to make the leap, here are five signs that now is the time to upgrade:

1. You are spending more manpower than ever on monitoring and troubleshooting equipment. Often times, companies put off replacing bulk material handling equipment because they don’t want to spend the money. However, outdated and faulty equipment comes with its own expenses. If you are consistently paying employees overtime to keep coal handling equipment functional, then it may be time to upgrade.

2. You have trouble finding replacement parts. When something does go wrong, you don’t want to have to waste time hunting down outdated parts. While you can always search for parts online or hoard obsolete parts from other plants, this can cause serious delays in production and put you in a precarious position. New equipment will be easier to repair and maintain so that you don’t lose revenue to unnecessary downtime.

3. Frequent and unexplained trips in the equipment have become a part of your daily routine. Has it gotten to the point where everyone on the team is just used to encountering problems and temporary shutdowns? Don’t settle for under-performing equipment.

4. A lack of operational equipment status. Most bulk material handling operations involve several integrated systems. Coordinating systems relies on manpower and mechanical functionality, but modern systems also require powerful computing. Staying competitive means creating a centralized operating system that can be accessed and controlled from one computer. This lets operators know exactly where problems are located so that they can fix issues without having to drive to a specific location in the plant to troubleshoot a shutdown.

5. You don’t rely on a equipment that is connected to a plant SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system. Bulk material handling can be a complex operation. If you are relying on a fragmented computing system, then you are wasting time and money. Upgrade your system with a DCS (Distributive Controls System) tie in so that you can review and run the entire facility more efficiently.

If you are ready to make your bulk material handling facility more efficient and profitable than ever, 2018 is the perfect time to get started. Contact the experts at Richmond Engineering Works to begin upgrading your equipment and your facility.

A Guide to keep your bulk material handling variable frequency drives (VFDs) operating efficiently

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) play a vital role in the bulk material handling industry. By adjusting the frequency and voltage supplied to electric motors based on the specific needs of each application, VFDs allow businesses to work more efficiently and prolong the life of their equipment. Don’t underestimate the importance of simple preventative maintenance. Monitoring your equipment and taking a few simple steps can provide years of trouble-free service.  Here is a simple quick guide that can help:

1. Inspect your VFD’s regularly. Even a quick visual scan can detect signs of moisture, loose connections and potential hazards. It is also a good idea to check internal components, such as fans and DC bus capacitors, for signs of bulging, leakage or excessive wear.
2. Regularly record VFD status information. Keep a table of component and heat-sink temperatures, also keep track of VFD displayed motor currents, voltages and speeds for increased telltale signs of mechanical and/or electrical failures.
3. Avoid dust contamination and keep the VFD clean. As with any electronic device, dust can be an enemy that can cause malfunctions and diminish airflow and performance. A layer of dust can be enough to affect circulation fans and cause problems that can quickly begin to snowball.
4. Maintain climate control equipment to prevent overheating and avoid moisture from accumulating in drives and causing breakdowns. Excess condensation can cause the circuit boards to erode and high temperatures can also place unnecessary stress on the electronic components. To enjoy optimal performance, make sure that your VFD is kept housed in a clean, cool, and dry location.
5. Regularly check and make sure all electrical connections are tight. Vibrations and standard use can cause connections to become loose. Bad connections can lead to arcing and increased heat sources. From this, protective components can easily become damaged, overvoltage and overcurrent faults can occur and fusing may clear. It is equally as important to avoid overtightening connections, causing unplanned equipment repairs.

Setting aside time to inspect and maintain your VFDs can significantly extend the life of your equipment and prevent serious failures that disrupt productivity. Fortunately, most models are manufactured with easy to read equipment status displays and other tools that make it easy to monitor the vital signs of your VFD and motor combination. Take advantage of these tools and employ your own inspection process for optimal efficiency.

Richmond Engineering serves companies along the countries major transportation routes and provides cutting-edge solutions that are designed to improve operations. From engineering, unique solutions to upgrading existing equipment and making repairs, their experts can do it all. To learn more about their services and how they can help, contact Richmond Engineering today.