Valmet Bale Conveyor System - Modular and flexible

Valmet Bale Conveyor, type CLE-F.

During 2021, a pilot unit of the Valmet Bale Conveyor System was designed and manufactured, which was then used to verify the concept for manufacturing and assembly. The features and performance were verified with lab tests.

Modular design for increased flexibility

The new module-based design uses a bolted construction without welding, consisting of cut and bent sheet metal in galvanized material. The galvanized main components ensure good corrosion resistance. The patented S-shaped beam increases flexibility during installation, making it easy to modify the conveyor should it be necessary in the future.

Smoother operation and easy maintenance

The entire chain package was revised during the new concept’s development, resulting in improved chain transmission. For example, the conveyors now have chain sprockets with more teeth, delivering a significantly smoother ride for the bales. In turn, smoother operation means the equipment lasts longer, and the whole conveyor system’s performance is improved.

We’re on our way to a substantial performance increase in the baling line.

“We’re actually on our way to a substantial increase in baling line performance that no one thought was possible just a few years ago,” says Tobias Lööf, Chief Engineer, Flash drying and baling, Valmet.

Tobias Lööf, Chief Engineer, Flash drying and baling at Valmet.

The open beam design improves accessibility, making maintenance needs more predictable. It also makes maintenance easier and enables more common spare parts to be utilized.

Big environmental and transportation savings

A big advantage with the module-based design is that the number of containers required to transport them can be reduced because the modules fit better into the space available in each container. This allows the container’s maximum weight limit to be utilized, instead of being limited by its volume.

A big advantage with the module-based design is that the number of containers required to transport them can be reduced.

“In a larger project that we used as an example, we could reduce the number of containers from 27 to only seven 40-foot containers. That’s an amazing saving, both for the environment and for the containers’ transportation costs. Having fewer containers also means fewer issues to solve on site,” explains Lööf.

Valmet Bale Conveyor unassembled.

A significant advance in conveyor technology

“The new concept offers increased performance and flexibility. It’s a modular design, constructed without welding, that utilizes cut and bent sheet metal in galvanized material. The chain transmission is improved, allowing smoother operation. Maintenance is predictable and easy due to the better accessibility. Overall, the new Valmet Bale Conveyor System concept represents a significant advance in conveyor technology, enabling high performance and environmental savings,” Lööf concludes. 

Text Kerstin Eriksson