A General Overview of the Aeroconveyor's Influence in South African Industry Beverley Broumels, South Africa Courtesy: Trans Tech Publications - Bulk Solids Handling Journal 1. Definition and General Background This air-cushion conveyor is used to convey bulk materials in much the same way as a conventional idler-supported conveyor. A continuous belt is driven around a head and tail pulley using the normal motor drive, however, with one major difference. A trough section is used as the structural support of the belt and the trough section replaces the normal idler supports. Air, a natural resource used successfully as a substitute for idlers implies substantial benefits and advantages to the end user and has created a conveyor of economical and competitive significance. Air used in the conveyor much in the same way as for a hovercraft, i.e. an air cushion as a means of transport, was experimented with by JAMES DODGE in the USA a hundred years ago, but was only brought to fruition in this century by a Dutch professor, hence extensive development work perfecting this system was dictated to The company, Aeroconveyors, of Boksburg North was established in 1981 and has gained 11 years' experience in designing, manufacturing, supplying and erecting airsupported belt conveyors and related equipment. The product is completely locally manufactured and has proved to be both cost-effective and a long-term investment, continuing to achieve good competitive standards in the market place, with versatility and low-maintenance programmes being key to its success. 2. Development in South African Market Place The development of the air-cushion principle conveyor in South Africa has been largely dictated to by standards parallel to the European industry as well as different facets peculiar to its own industries. Aspects influencing its development here have been affected by the following: 1. Materials, minerals, ores, vegetation and products specially found in South 2. Diverse African climatic, environmental and topographic conditions so 3. General conservatism in the acceptance of the air principle concept. 4. The need for a security-tight materials handling system, e.g. for diamond 5. The ups and downs of the South African economy (mostly influenced by the Apart from number 3, the aeroconveyor has proved to meet all the demands these conditions have imposed upon the South African industry. Even in economically difficult times, the installation of the conveyor has been seen as a financially viable proposition once realised as possessing a low-maintenance programme and being a However, over the years it has taken much persuasion to convince clients of its potential, and the realisation of the conveyor actually functioning in various applications, i.e. "seeing is believing", has proved to be the aeroconveyor's most effective marketing tool. But much water has flowed under the bridge since then and in 1993 Aeroconveyors can boast that their influence has been widespread and that they have established themselves in many diverse industrial fields. | 
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