Capital Equipment News November 2016

MATERIALS HANDLING

New Genie XC boom lifts offer more lifting capacity

Paying attention to optimum transfer point design

The Weba Chute System uses a streamlined scientific approach to the dynamics of bulk materials handling.

Genie has announced the arrival of its new Genie Xtra Capacity (XC) boom lifts offering increased flexibility and versatil- ity on jobsites thanks to more capacity and precise platform positioning. The range is designed to work in more applications that require higher capacities. “Industry-wide, there is a mix of high and dual-capacity machines with different speci- fications,” says Adam Hailey, Genie director of Product Management, Terex AWP. “This can be challenging and confusing for opera- tors, particularly when spec’ing a project that requires lifting heavy loads within a specific envelope. Responding to customer demand worldwide who need higher capacity with- in clearly defined working envelopes, the new generation of Genie XC boom lifts will consistently offer dual capacity on all of its models.” All Genie XC booms combine the benefits of a dual-envelope design to provide an un- restricted range of motion with a platform capacity of 300 kg and a restricted operat- ing envelope capacity of 454 kg. To support additional weight on the platform, Genie XC booms are engineered with an updated boom structure that boasts increased performance, range of motion and envelope control, as well as a strong jib capable of easily handling the standard 454 kg maximum capacity. The new Genie XC booms are equipped with a load sense cell that continuously checks the weight in the platform and adjusts the envelope to match the load chart.

Unimpeded material flow with optimum belt presentation is critical in any materials handling system on a mine. Yet, despite this, insufficient attention is often paid to transfer point design, says Mark Baller, managing director of Weba Chute Systems. He explains that Weba Chute Systems custom engineers each transfer point and in this manner is able to provide a chute system designed to take specific operating parameters into account. “These parameters can include anything from a need to control belt presentation to reducing spillage, dust and noise, and impor- tantly, to control flow so that wear is mini- mised,” says Baller. Essentially the Weba Chute System uses a streamlined scientific approach to the dynamics of bulk materials handling, taking all aspects such as belt speed, belt width, “Genie XC booms reduce the number of lift cycles, as well as the amount of equipment operators will need to get tools and mate- rials to work areas at height – doing more with a single unit saves time and increases productivity,” says Hailey. “Thanks to new technology incorporated into the design, Genie XC booms will carry more load than ever before, and some models will be able to work on higher slopes, giving the machines the unparalleled ability to complete higher capacity jobs in a wider range of applica- tions,” adds Hailey.

material size, shape and throughput in account. Each solution is custom designed to control the direction, flow and velocity of a calculated volume and type of material in each individual application. The design process is considered the most important stage of any project at Weba Chute Systems. Once the data received from the customer has been verified, extensive use is made of sophisticated 3D computer software to arrive at what is considered the optimum design for the application in question. Manufacturing of the system is undertaken at the company’s Wadeville premises where plasma cutting equipment is used to ensure that the highest levels of accuracy and toler- ances are met. At present there are more than 4 000 custom designed Weba Chute Systems operating successfully worldwide. b To increase performance, decrease set- up time and improve overall productivity, all Genie XC models have the ability to do zero-load field calibration. The new Genie booms are equipped with a load sense cell that continuously checks the weight in the platform and adjusts the envelope to match the load chart. A tilt sensor also gives users access to different ranges of motion based on the machine’s rated slope limit, on certain machines even on extreme angles, maximis- ing the ability to access even the most hard- to-reach work areas. b