M70 (3) Open end conveyor unit (load or unload) - N GAUGE -
Picture includes illustration of model when completed
Parts to make one load/unload end unit. requires assembly and painting.
For use with our range of conveyor models it can be used to load or unload.
Background:
There are many forms and sizes of conveyor with our initial study concentrating on Belt Conveyors, which are often referred to as belly conveyors, V-belt conveyors, belt-loaders and transfer-belts. The belts are continuous, running on rollers mounted in a steel space-frame structure with belt load carrying along the top and returning empty below. The carrying rollers form a V or U shape belt from a horizontal flat-form at the start and end, as the belt runs round the return rollers. These conveyors can run at various angles of up to around 40o and where they run over roadways, rail-tracks and rivers or where subjected to high cross winds they would be covered to eliminate the risk of belt-lift, falling objects and dust swells. Also, where the transferred product is to be kept dry the belt would be fully covered. Excessive long runs would be avoided by sectionalizing the run to overcome belt stretch problems and complicated tensioning devices. When changes of direction take place either turning to the left or right or where incline or decline angles change from one section to another a transfer unit is employed. This is where load drops from one feeder belt on to a second belt and a third belt and so on. Sometimes if long steeper angles are necessary special belt shapes are used incorporating load-holding assistors like raised blades across the belt and up the sides. If a steep near vertical lift is required conveyors known as Eleveyor’s are used, having special chain like belts that cup the load with tipping discharge action at the end. These are usually fully enclosed for safety reasons. Different colour schemes are usual with red oxide, dark grey and black probably the most common for structures. Rubber belts tend to be black however other colours are possible. Olive green, light blue and pale yellow structures are more typical of today’s modern image. You also see the yellow & black chevrons and other warning colours as considered appropriate to highlight safety hazards. Rollers are usually powered by diesel engines or electric motors.
The models:
Our design criteria was to produce a modular group of items that once assembled would visual represent a large or small size static (non-moving) v-belt conveyor system that could be adapted by modelers for use in a quarry, rail head loading facility, recycling yard processes, cement works, coal mine and dockyard activities etc. primarily consisting of two 64mm lengths of V-belt conveyor and structure that can be fixed together to make-up a run to any desired length, with or without cover to enclose belt, plus a flexible support structure to satisfy any required angle of elevation, allowing conveyor to run into or out of a building or from a mine shaft or similar with optional open belt load and discharge points. The latter is satisfied by a 32mm long conveyor belt end-section with self-support frame where the v-belt runs flat around the return roller plus a positional chute to direct load onto or off the belt if so required.