New blade replacement service from Martin Engineering
Company launches new free replacement programme for conveyor belt cleaners
MARTIN Engineering, one of the global leaders in bulk materials-handling technology, have launched a new factory-direct replacement programme for belt cleaners, delivering fresh polyurethane blades – specified and custom-fitted on site and installed free of charge.
The new programme provides customers with accurately sized and professionally installed replacement blades that are matched to their specific application, delivering optimum cleaning performance and service life. The company said it assures customer satisfaction on any cleaner with its exclusive ‘Forever Guarantee’, which offers end-users better cleaning, longer service life and lower cost of ownership.
‘Although many conveyor users probably don’t realize it, product freshness is a significant issue for urethane belt cleaners,’ commented Chris Schmelzer, director of Martin’s wear components business group.
‘Because urethane is a hygroscopic material, it tends to absorb moisture from the ambient air over time, which causes a degradation of physical properties. The process gradually decreases the cleaning performance and shortens wear life. Most manufacturers produce their cleaners in large lots, based on projected sales volumes.’
Martin Engineering say they are able to deliver product freshness as a result of their custom-designed urethane molding cells, which produce just-in-time manufacturing of its belt cleaners to deliver blades within the shortest possible lead time, without the need to carry aging inventory in its warehouses.
The technology is currently in use at Martin business units on three continents, and plans are already set to place the modular work cells in additional manufacturing facilities. The company is believed to be the only belt cleaner supplier that has designed its own process and equipment to produce molded blades, significantly reducing the lag time between manufacturing and use.
Also included are regularly-scheduled inspections, adjustment and blade replacement as required on all Martin belt cleaning systems, as well as the company’s 18-point Walk-the-Belt audits emphasizing worldwide best practices from the new Foundations for Conveyor Safety book.
As part of the new programme, the company will maintain an electronic record of operating conditions on all conveyors using its equipment. This data will be updated regularly, providing management with an operational assessment of vital components, including recommendations for avoiding costly failures and system downtime.
Customers will also benefit from the programme through a consistent supply of freshly molded, high-quality blades – each labelled with a date of manufacture – delivered directly from the factory and installed by a trained Martin Engineering technician.
