Development of a Conveyorized Coal Feeder

The paper describes the re-design of a coal feeder as used in coal fired power stations. A number of factors such as selling price, revised health and safety requirements, and reduced maintenance and replacement costs were the underlying reasons for the re-design. As a result the man-hours required to produce the unit were reduced by 23 per cent and the selling price by 30 per cent when compared with the unit previously offered by Redler Conveyors Limited. A project team was formed of members from various departments, and this had a major impact on the speed of introduction, just nine months elapsing between idea and completion of the first machine. This enabled the Company to change from being totally uncompetitive to being market leaders.