Finally, a heavier hinge pin was added to the splice, and the pin was welded to the belt. This splice operated successfully. Sizing up project results. The carbon electrode mixture doesn't stick to the smooth steel belt, and no material spills from it. As a result, material cleanup around the conveyor has been all but eliminated.
All material is used in electrode production, and none is wasted.
Belt scrapers and return idlers are no longer damaged by buildup and can operate for months without replacement. The plant keeps a spare steel belt on hand so production is only minimally interrupted when the belt requires replacement, which has been necessary only because of the splice failures. During the design stage, at installation, and during initial conveyor operation, the engineering firm coordinated the efforts of the equipment suppliers as well as most of the communications between the suppliers and Coston. This involvement made the project more manageable for Coston. Coston called the project a major success.