Our engineers understand our products as well as the conditions in which they are being used. few design standards will take worst-case scenarios into consideration, such as the chance of a loader being driven into the side of the conveyor or a hydraulic.

All of our engineers are members of CCPE (Canadian Council of Professional Engineers) with a specialty in structural design. All new design concepts including the most finite modifications are subjected to numerous testing phases. A final manual verification of every calculation is executed by one of Thor’s certified professional structural engineers.

The following covers the step-by-step process for all new designs released by Thor Global.

Step 1: Calculations

During the initial design stages, preliminary calculations are applied to the major points of structural concern, to analyze the concept’s viability.

Thor Global strictly adheres to both the AISC’s (American Institute of Steel Construction) design and safety standards for structural calculations as well as CEMA (Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association) regulations.

In today’s design and manufacturing industries, many manufacturers choose to rely solely on computer-generated calculations. To prevent potential errors, all calculations at Thor Global are done manually before being backed up by advanced computer software. This “double check” system not only eliminates human design error, it is also an effective technique to sustain high skill levels and applied knowledge within our engineering department.

Step 2: Ansys

The next phase in a concept’s process is to put the design to the test. ANSYS® is an engineering simulation software program that develops an FEA (Finite Element Analysis) on any computer designed structure.

Thor Global utilizes this highly advanced software to simulate operational load and wind stresses as well as a long list of hypothetical operational and environmental errors to ensure maximal safety and structural integrity.

Step 3: Physical Testing

Thor Global systematically places new designs under physical testing using failure tests (otherwise known as deflection tests).

Our experienced engineers use string gauge technology provided by the University of Guelph, to produce an in-depth report on the machine’s maximum load capacities. Networks of gauges are positioned on critical members of the truss unit, after which the machine is loaded with bags of sand and critical structural data is recorded. The actual stress loads measured on the machine are cross-referenced with the ANSYS analysis model. If any deviations are apparent, design modifications ensue, and the analysis process is repeated from the beginning.

Once a Sales Production Order has been issued, Thor Global subjects all machines to a comprehensive failure point quality control checklist.  The plant manager signs off only when all requirements are met. Before delivery, one of Thor’s affects an obligatory secondary check to ensure that no detail has been overlooked.

Thor Global is confident in the designs they produce, be it a standard product or a custom solution.

CE Certification

All Thor products are CE certified thereby conforming to the legal requirements and validity of our products in the European market.