Develop a simple, innovative solution to monitor the overall condition of a conveyor belt and provide accurate locations of failure or fault.
Conveyors in our plant are protected with a cable-based fire detection system, which fails too often. Detection of fire with a lesser number of sensors will help. We need to have a system for overall Condition monitoring of conveyor belt (for fabric and steel cord belt).
Conveyor belt safety and maintenance becomes a problem especially with respect to problem location identification of fire. The conveyor belt system failure has a cascading effect as it is the main material carrier in any Industry.
Owing to the problems with the cable based fire detection, we need a better system with alarm location detection. We also need an alarm system which is visible as well as audible. It should be noted that the fire may also move as the conveyor moves and may carry the fire along. We need to have a system for overall condition monitoring of conveyor belt (for fabric and steel cord belt) with a simpler and accurate troubleshooting mechanism that will increase overall availability.
Constraints
Presently the fire cable based sensing system in the conveyor belts has been done in a complex manner which needs to be simplified. The feedback mechanism, in case of fire, has not been designed properly. Given a large number of conveyors and long length of conveyors, implementing the solution is a time-consuming activity. This solution will also involve a new installation of cabling.
Success Criteria
The solution should encompass systemic fire identification with respect conveyors and provide a problem rectification as well, For example, if a fire is detected, it should also be suppressed.