Maxiflex has introduced what it says is an innovative and robust range of underground ventilation mine doors to customers in Southern Africa’s mining sector. The doors are manufactured by global mine door solutions specialist, USA-based American Mine Door.
The door wings open in opposite directions.
The door wings open in opposite directions, enhancing safety, efficiency and productivity. In addition to giving the mine doors the ability to endure water gauge pressure, the patented ‘opposing wing’ design cancels out the effects of static pressure. Moreover, this key differentiating feature enables the mine to reverse air current without accumulating the costs of disassembling and reassembling doors in opposite directions. As the same air assists the doors to open and close, the air pressure is equalised, reducing potential stored energy concerns.
The risk of ramp slope effects is eliminated as the door wing that operates downhill helps the other wing uphill. Owing to the equal force principle, these versatile mine doors can be installed in most slope applications.
The underground ventilation mine doors are available in three designs – low, medium and high-pressure – in a range of sizes. The doors are installed at a 12/6 pitch and the door wings both open at 63 deg versus 90 deg; this significantly reduces the open/close cycle resulting in improved productivity. Door speed is further increased by cushioned cylinders.
All door functions are controlled by advanced automation control technology. The custom programmable logic control (PLC) package provides operators with greater control and increased productivity, whilst also improving their safety awareness.
According to Maxiflex’s Managing Director, Bram Janssen, the underground ventilation mine doors are ideally suited to the Southern African market as they are well-designed with proven reliability “Additional benefits offered by these doors include hassle-free installation and maintenance as all components are supplied with drawings. These products are also reusable and can be easily moved from one location to another. Moreover, the doors are able to use stored energy enabling operation in the event of a power failure.”
