Kinder Australia complements its range with the AirScrape®
ScrapeTec Trading GmbH has been present in the market for 4 years with the invention of AirScrape® by its founder Wilfried Dünnwald. The mining engineer has used his decades of professional experience and developed contact-free side seal for conveyor transfer points. The formation of dust during mining is particularly problematic underground. Therefore, Wilfried Dünnwald realised the development of a conveyor skirting system for maximum dust reduction at transfer points when conveying bulk goods. Gradually, customers could be convinced over the AirScrape®’s dust-reducing and economical operation, and the positive response in the German market was also noticed in the international mining scene. In the meantime, the AirScrape® is in use not only in Europe but also in Africa and America. And now – with Kinder’s reach – also in the Asia-Pacific region.
In contrast to many side sealing solutions, the AirScrape® works completely contact-free at transfers. This eliminates frictional losses due to belt abrasion and extreme belt wear, because the AirScrape® is mounted at a distance of 1 to 2 mm from the belt. This gap in cooperation with the specially arranged lamellas is the reason behind the so-called Venturi effect. This is the air suction that is created by the movement of the belt and the airflow between the blades. This prevents dust or fine material from escaping through the gap between the belt and the seal. In addition, the lamellas also convey coarse material that is pushing outwards back to the center of the belt. These effects have also piqued Kinder’s interest in Australia.
Kinder: Professionalism is a family matter
Kinder Australia Pty Ltd has been operating since 1985 in the field of conveyor technology for the mining and bulk materials handling industries. The Australian conveyor component company is still family-run to this day – as is ScrapeTec Trading GmbH. Kinder offers an extensive range of components for conveyor systems. Starting with the in-house engineering development, to the precise timing of logistics to the installation site. In addition, the field applications team are available for site visits and virtual meetings to discuss maintenance solutions.
The AirScrape® also makes an important difference when it comes to maintenance. Due to its contact-free operation with the Venturi effect and the avoidance of friction on the side seal, the maintenance requirement for this type of side seal is zero. A fact that has great argumentative weight towards the customer when calculating new projects for Kinder.
Despite all the business proximity between the two companies in Braeside/Australia and Kamp-Lintfort/Germany, the important aspect of the distance remains. Both are at the other end of the globe. Phone calls and video conferences must be well coordinated. And face-to-face meetings are more of a rarity. But as long as the AirScrape® is convincing in use, there is hardly any need to talk.
