Rubberised Track Pads and Conveyor Belt Plates

Track pads are used on Caterpillar tracks, also called 'tank treads' or 'continuous track', and on conveyor belts and they are often called Haul Off Pads or Gripper Pads. Below is an example of a standard caterpillar track used on mobile machines before installation of our rubberised pads.  Unfortunately we do not currently have an image we are allowed to use of a relevant catepillar track with our rubber pads on it.

These tracks are also used in stationary applications e.g. where they are used to push, pull or to brake pipework or cables whilst being spooled or laid. These are often the more aggressive applications; it is not unusual for individual pads to take 10-40 tonnes in compression plus 5-10 tonnes in shear.

"After a comprehensive review of the market, we selected AVMR as they could offer manufacturing capabilities, a technically compliant product, with good design input, and at a cost-effective budget. We've built a good relationship with AVMR, and would be keen to work with them again in the future"

- A multi-discipline engineering company providing solutions to the oil & gas sector.

Haul Off pads are very similar to track pads, however rather than having to apply forces to drive or control a speed, a haul off pad is used immediately after a continuous moulding process (e.g. extrusion) to provide support to the newly formed product whilst moving with the product to avoid friction between the surfaces.  Accuracy of profile, and the use of low friction rubbers can be key for haul off pads.

A standard caterpillar track used on mobile machinery

One of our projects was to design and supply a track pad which could directly replace the metal tracks on a machine already in place, and similar to the above.  The result was the below pad.

A rubberised track pad for a mobile application

Whether it is a caterpillar track or conveyor belt, the track itself is normally made up of a continuous chain of metal plates; depending on the use, these might not be the best solution:

• Standard tracks are notoriously abrasive and damage road surfaces.  Something with a softer contact point will result in less damage to the road.

• If two counter-rotating tracks are being used to feed, draw, or brake (to control feed speeds) large diameter pipe and cable, grip is a critical design requirement.  Softer track surfaces deform around the pipe or cable when squeezed thereby enabling that squeeze load to be distributed evenly and reducing potential for damage.
• As some products are manufactured, they need well distributed support which is often across a complicated profile (e.g. in extruding upvc window profiles. A conveyor belt track pad shape which has been formed to match the product profile can offer the required support.
• Conveyor belts will often have loads dropped onto them.  A level of shock absorption can be offered by softer surfaces which lengthen equipment lifespan.

For all of the above applications, a rubber or rubber and metal sandwich construction of track pad are more likely to offer a suitable solution.  

Plastic Extrusion Haul Off Pads - use on static machines

We have designed and manufactured pads from 500g to 18kg, and pride ourselves on the niche sector knowledge that we have.  We believe that in this field there are few, if any, competitors of a similar size who offer the material and bonding expertise along with the manufacturing capabilities that we at AVMR have.

A haul off pad for a static application e.g. laying cable or pipework

All of our current track pads have been developed for bespoke requirements.  They have been developed in partnership with the customer, and are unlikely to be suitable for sale via the online shop.

A Haul Off Pad for extrusion of a specific pipe diameter - used on a static machine.  The pipe in this example was circa 18 inch diameter.

Smaller pads used on extrusion lines are commonly found on the following machines: Actual, Barrufaldi, Bergsmann Amut, Cincinnati, Ide,  Speedex, Technoplast, Uniplast and Vobau.