mConveyor FAQ

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Version 2.0.0 issued 1/26/01 replaced CapyPro
Version 2.1 issued 9/10/01 major update (changed record save method) 
Version 2.2 issued 1/31/02 minor update
Version 3.0 issued 12/15/03 major update (added full skirted conveyors)
Version 3.5 issued 10/24/05 minor update (change of print method)

Current Version 3.5.14 issued 12/20/05 ( extensive changes for dialect input). Changes were made to accommodate longer words of other languages.

  Comments, questions and complaints:

DRAG: Are you not being careless with estimating that the scraper drag is distributed 1/3 to the tail and 2/3 to the discharge pulley?

Ans: The reason mConveyor includes insignificant drag numbers like this is to make sure nothing is left out that could at sometime be significant. mConveyor also lets you ignore all this trivia by the set and forget method. Splitting the scraper drag is a distribution of tension. Small variations in distributed belt tensions is never going to be a problem in the field.

NOT ENOUGH CALCS: JP writes "I am looking for a conveyor design program that include belt tensions, curves, idler B10 life, pulley shaft design, etc. The demo I tried was very basic and not enough information for proper conveyor design."

Ans: mConveyor is not intended to let you off the hook. Proper conveyor design is an artful exercise in engineering thought. It does not begin and end with entered and printed numbers. It is true that there are programs that give you more numbers, but are they any good? For instance, who would trust some software writer to design pulley shafts and pick out idlers for a million dollar purchase? My own pulley shaft software and data is too extensive to compromise into a conveyor program.

Other data that are likely to be owner preferences, such as choosing idler roll diameter, are not computed by mConveyor. These are left for other documentation by the designer. If you are new to bulk materials handling you may be confused by the spread of prices for conveyor design software. Yes, mConveyor is inexpensive, but it is complete in its own way and capable of helping you design conveyors.

Sectional Data: As for curves, my first tries at writing conveyor software included "sections" and curves to get tension values anywhere on the conveyor. Then I discovered I didn't need those values and didn't need to enter all that data. This may be controversial, but I used my calculations against some of the most expensive conveyor software calculations for several years without detecting any significant difference. Intermediate tensions are easily estimated.

 PRINTOUT: PD writes "I have used the calculator on two examples, some of the data is very sensitive e.g. the c197 link  159.., 146.., 132. Startup acceleration factor etc. Otherwise is very good. The problem that I am facing is when it comes time to print the report is there an help facility or could you explain how this works."

Ans: Printing is done from the print preview page. Capacity numbers and power numbers are printed optionally. The option buttons at the top of the page select what is to be printed.
"Power" prints only the power values that were selected to show on the calculation display.
"All Power" prints all power values.
"Capacity" prints only the capacity values.
You can edit the colored company logo to display your own company.

You can also export all calculated values to a text file that can then be read by a spreadsheet for continued engineering work such as estimating.

Standards: Most manufacturers are now relying on standards; CEMA, DIN and the Japanese DIN. Copies of these standards are  inexpensive and are a must have for conveyor designers. You could make forms or spreadsheets from these standards and do just as well, technically. Doing it with mConveyor is faster, repeatable, easily changeable and it stores and recalls results.