An interdisciplinary team of scientists from WUST was awarded during the gala of the 48th Days of Science and Technology of the Copper Basin. They were recognized for developing a system for measuring the thickness of conveyor belts in motion used in horizontal transport. The project manager is Dr.Agata Kirjanów-Błażej from our Faculty. 

The awards were presented during a ceremony organised in Legnica by the Federation Council of the SNT NOT Copper Basin and the Polish Copper Employers' Association.

The title of Lower Silesian Master of Technology for 2023 went to a team from two WUST faculties (W4 and W6) consisting of: Dr. Agata Kirjanów-Błażej (Department of Computer Systems and Networks, project manager), Prof. Ryszard Błażej, Prof. Leszek Jurdziak and Aleksandra Rzeszowska, M.Sc. (all from the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Department of Mining).

As part of the „Lider" project implemented under the NCBR grant, they developed the „BeltSonic" system, an innovative diagnostic device for industry, which, allows accurate and non-invasive measurements of the thickness of conveyor belts in motion, and thus enables the assessment of the thickness of the belt covers. As a result, the system provides data on the rate of abrasion of the covers and the prediction of the belt's failure-free operation time.

The system uses 100 ultrasonic sensors, providing a 50 mm transverse resolution and a 10 mm longitudinal resolution at the belt speed of 1 m/s. The measurement is based on the differential method and the system is installed on its own, independent stands in order to be independent of vibrations of the conveyor's supporting structure or the belt itself that may occur during operation. This modern solution not only allows measurements along the entire length of the belt during its movement, but also generates detailed statistics, facilitating rational decisions regarding the replacement and repair of conveyor belts.

The continuous monitoring of the belts during operation, provides information about the current thickness of the covers and the expected replacement time. As a result, accelerated changes can be controlled and emergency breaks avoided, and the budget for belt management can be planned and optimised in advance.

Importantly, the system can be successfully used in any industry where belt conveyors are used. The solution also has an impact on the production process of conveyor belts. The diagnostic system allows the detecting of deviations in the thickness of layers during production, ensuring better quality control and production parameters. It eliminates the risk of introducing defective belts into use, and thus meets the expectations of belt users by avoiding additional costs related to non-compliance with standards.

During the ceremony, 2nd place titles were also awarded, and one of them went to the team from the WUST Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems. The jury appreciated the solution "Payload in size 2U for satellite platforms of the CubeSat type, which enables experiments using biological material in LEO (Low Earth Orbit)" developed by Dr. Patrycja Śniadek, Adrianna Graja, M.Sc., Dr. Agnieszka Krakos, Bartosz Kawa, M.Sc. and Marcin Matyc, M.Sc.