Mahnke company looks through conveyor belts
18.01.2021
When testing steel cables in conveyor belts, a magnetic resonance method reaches its limits. A mobile X-ray system was able to help Vulkanisierungstechnik Mahnke GmbH with extensive analyses.
Xplus Mobile in action. Areas of interest have been marked on the conveyor belt; the X-ray tube is shooting down from above.
At the end of 2020, a steel cord belt of a conveyor system ran backwards down the conveyor bridge while the belt was being changed and "piled up" on the conveyor system. A magnetic resonance method was used to check the condition of the steel cables, but the results were only quantitative, i.e., not enough information to determine the inherent quality. More precisely, three large suspicious areas, as well as about 30 other small potential damages, were detected. However, due to the technology on hand, combined with external disturbances, it was not possible to clearly determine whether the steel cables were torn or crushed. In addition, the results were not reproducible due to the prevailing environmental influences. Mahnke was looking for a dependable solution, that would deliver absolutely reliable results. One idea was an inspection with a mobile X-ray system.
That is why Mahnke approached VisiConsult -the family company from Northern Germany and world market leader for the manufacturing of innovative X-ray solutions.
First, a reference section was sent to VisiConsult and examined under laboratory conditions. Benjamin Wielgosch, Head of Application, knows the flexible application possibilities of X-ray technology: “X-ray technology is the ideal technology to make the invisible visible. At VisiConsult, we achieve this through a variety of solutions. From portable mobile systems to complex CT systems. The systems are easy to use and users get results quickly.” Shortly after the investigation, an on-site visit was finally held at the Mahnke factory.
The system had to be set up on short notice. The X-ray method clearly showed the structure of the steel cables with a very high resolution, and the X-ray analysis was able to rule out breaks, tears or even warping of the steel cables at all detected points.
For this application, an Xplus Mobile System consisting of a digital detector and a portable X-ray tubewas used to visualize the steel inside of the conveyor belt.
Due to image filters, details of the individual wire ropes can be made even more visible. Sven Gross, authorized signatory at Mahnke, is enthusiastic: “Under difficult conditions it was possible to create absolutely highresolution images. So, we're pretty excited. We see a huge potential in performing condition monitoring of large, especially non-redundant conveyer belts".
The specialist for customized X-ray inspection solutions and automation
VisiConsult is a family owned company located in Northern Germany and the leading specialist for customized X-ray inspection systems. To ensure the renown premium quality all products are developed and produced locally in Germany as turnkey solutions. This leads to cutting edge technology and a high flexibility. Being active in several fields like Non Destructive Testing (NDT), public Security and the electronics manufacturing industries VisiConsult offers a sophisticated product portfolio.
The company philosophy is to solve the customer's inspection problems with tailored solutions combined with a premium post-installation service and support. More than 25 years of expertise in Automatic Defect Recognition (ADR) and image enhancement for a broad variety of industries combined with experienced engineers result in solutions that set new industry standards. VisiConsult is always looking forward to new challenges and is proud to be known as a reliable partner with sustainable products. Through an international network of trained representatives all around the world a reliable first-line sales and service network is spanning the globe.