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Thank you all for the great suggestions.
Cricket

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Erich Rose
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 5:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: conveyor belts in exhibits

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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*

Cricket,

The Austin CM had a roller type chute that curved around a corner.  Kids
sent plastic crates of milk bottles down it.  It was almost maintenance free
with the exception that it was built-in and extremely hard to clean below
the rollers.  In fact it got darn right nasty under there over time.  I
would think as hard about maintenance as safety.

If you buy or build from commercial grade components it will be quite sturdy
and the ones that are "food safe" are made to be cleaned up with detergents
daily.  Those conveyors are also meant to handle heavy objects and get a bit
of abuse.  They can have different roller spacings and widths. Go with the
smallest that works, so, as Paul O. pointed out, they don't become human
conveyors.  For safety make sure the rollers are spaced so as not to become
hand entrapments.  Take a look at playground safety standards for that info.

I've also designed a few conveyor belts.  I don't believe they are as
durable as the rollers but they are fairly easy to build and generally easy
to maintain.  The main things are that the framework that supports the two
rollers is sturdy enough to keep them at the proper tension and hold that
shape so they run parallel; and the turning mechanism should have a failsafe
such as a slip clutch so when jammed they just spin.  Kids certainly love to
play with them and they are more engaging than a gravity fead roller chute.

Good luck,

Erich Rose

Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]




On Feb 15, 2010, at 3:08 PM, Cricket Brooks wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>
****************************************************************************
*
> 
> Hello -
> 
> 
> 
> I am looking for a source for roller-tables or conveyor belts for use in a
> small farm-to-market exhibit at a children's museum.  
> 
> 
> 
> I've seen some components at MSCdirect and such, but would love input from
> someone who has used them in a museum setting, especially with small
> children (ages 3-10).  
> 
> 
> 
> What works, what to look out for, any particular style or model number
> that's more kid-friendly and less likely to cause injuries?
> 
> 
> 
> I'm leaning toward just the passive roller style, but if anyone has put
> together a manually cranked conveyor belt, I would appreciate hearing
about
> that experience as well.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks!
> Cricket
> 
> Exhibit Developer / Prototyper
> 
> Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City
> 
> 
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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