Air Springs Supply was selected as a finalist in the minerals processing category at the 2015 Mining Prospect Awards held recently in Sydney.
One of the most prestigious national mining awards programs, the Prospect Awards recognises industry leaders in safety, technology and innovation. Air Springs Supply was nominated for the award for its flexible Airstroke air spring actuators for belt scrapers that can adjust to different load requirements simply by varying the air pressure contained within them.
Mr James Maslin, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Air Springs Supply, said their recognition amongst industry leaders reflected the hard work and dedication put in by the whole team at Air Springs. According to Mr Maslin, actuators may be small when compared to large mining equipment, but the difference they can make to the smooth running of larger machinery has a large impact.
Belt scraper actuators
Air Springs Supply offers a simply engineered alternative to metal springs and torsion bars to prevent breakdown of mineral and industrial processing belt scrapers as well as extend the life and productivity of entire belt systems. The flexible pneumatic Airstroke air spring actuators from Firestone including compact and easily installed Style 16 types adjust to different load requirements simply by varying the air pressure contained within them.
The tough rubber-and-fabric bellows, which are identical in construction to the airbags proven in truck and train suspensions, are suitable for applications requiring flexible force and continuously supple performance to flex with irregular loads.
Mr Maslin explains that Airstroke air springs provide force evenly over the surface upon which they are acting, rather than imposing sharp point loads. Instead of fighting irregularities in the load and causing jerking, jamming and strain on the production line, the air springs will undulate over irregular loads passing beneath them, flexing with the load profile if necessary.
Airstroke air springs find use in diverse applications from fine food and pharmaceutical production, through to mineral processing and bulk material handling. A major advantage for design engineers is the air springs’ ability to rotate through an angle without a clevis. Air springs combine easy installation in compact spaces with the ability to bend with loads as well as tolerate side loadings within certain limits to perform where more rigid alternatives would break or show wear.
Image: Conveyors benefit from smoothly supple belt scraper performance of the type provided by air springs
