Engineering Calculation Packages
Why Merchentus Tools? How they compare with established engineering software
Global conveyor and mine-planning software is excellent for detailed final engineering, but it is expensive, installation-bound and built for specialists. Merchentus India's single-file HTML tools fill a different gap. They give fast, transparent, decision-grade answers for concept, pre-feasibility and techno-economic studies, and they are written for Indian mining conditions by a practising conveyor and IPCC consultant.
Six advantages at a glance
Zero installation, works offlineEach tool is a single HTML file. It opens in any modern browser on Windows, Mac or a tablet, with no installer, no dongle and no internet connection needed on site.
Technology the big suites do not coverThe tools cover Sandwich Belt High Angle Conveyors, semi-mobile and fully-mobile IPCC, and truck-versus-conveyor cost per tonne together in one family of tools.
Built for Indian minesCosts are in INR (₹ Crore). The tools reference DGMS, IS and Indian practice, and use typical Indian diesel, power and labour inputs.
Transparent engineeringThe tools use the CEMA 7th Edition method, show every intermediate step, and contain no hidden black-box results. That suits audit, teaching and client review.
Share a result in one clickYou can save or share a full case by URL, or download an HTML file with your parameters built in. Where applicable, you can export layouts to DXF on named CAD layers.
Decision-grade in minutesCompare dumper haulage, conventional conveyor and Sandwich HAC on cost per tonne, CO₂ and break-even before you commit to detailed design.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Merchentus HTML Tools | Conveyor design suites e.g. Helix delta-T, Belt Analyst, Sidewinder |
Mine planning & haulage suites e.g. Deswik, XPAC, TALPAC |
In-house spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | ✔ None. A single HTML file opens in any browser. | Windows desktop install. Helix also offers an online subscription version. | Desktop installation on workstations. | Needs Excel. |
| Offline use on site | ✔ Fully offline | ◐ Desktop versions run offline; the online version needs internet. | ◐ Desktop; licence checks vary. | ✔ |
| Licensing | An activation licence is issued on specific request, at the company's catalogue price, under different licence categories and for a specified duration. | Commercial subscriptions in tiered editions; dynamic analysis is often an add-on. | Enterprise licences, typically for mining companies and large consultancies. | Free, but no ownership of method or QA. |
| Sandwich Belt HAC design | ✔ Dedicated calculator using the DSI method | ✘ Not a listed module | ✘ | ◐ Only if built by hand |
| IPCC (semi-mobile / fully-mobile) economics | ✔ Cost per tonne, CAPEX/OPEX split, DCF, break-even, CO₂ | ✘ Conveyor engineering only | ◐ Strong on scheduling and truck simulation; conveyor and IPCC cost comparison is not their focus. | ◐ Possible but error-prone |
| Truck vs conveyor vs HAC cost per tonne | ✔ In one view, in ₹ | ✘ | ◐ Truck side only (e.g. TALPAC) | ◐ |
| Conveyor tension & power (CEMA) | ✔ CEMA 7th Edition, including regenerative cases and pipe conveyor | ✔ CEMA, ISO 5048, DIN 22101 and extensive equipment databases | ✘ | ◐ |
| Dynamic (transient) belt analysis | ✘ Not intended; we recommend a specialist suite for this. | ✔ Available, in some products as an add-on | ✘ | ✘ |
| Indian context (₹ Crore, DGMS, IS) | ✔ Built in | ◐ International defaults | ◐ Configurable | ◐ |
| Sharing a result with a client | ✔ URL or HTML file with parameters built in; nothing for the reader to install | Word, PDF or Excel reports; the reader needs a licence to re-run the case. | Reports and exports | Send the workbook |
| Learning curve | Minutes, guided by the on-screen layout and demo videos | Days, for trained conveyor engineers | Weeks, with formal vendor training | Depends on the author |
| Best used for | Concept, pre-feasibility, techno-economic comparison, proposals, training | Detailed and final conveyor engineering | Life-of-mine planning and scheduling | Quick personal checks |
✔ available ◐ partial or depends on edition ✘ not offered
Where each fits: we complement, not replace
Use Merchentus tools when you need to…
- Decide quickly between dumpers, a conventional conveyor, a Sandwich HAC or IPCC
- Prepare a techno-economic case, budgetary proposal or board note
- Show a client the result live, offline, on any laptop
- Train engineers and students with every calculation step visible
Move to a detailed design suite when you need…
- Dynamic start and stop analysis of long overland conveyors
- Vendor-specific belt, idler and pulley database selection
- Final construction-stage engineering and certification
The Merchentus engineering tool family
1
CEMA 7 Belt Conveyor Design (CV-001)
▶ Demo video coming soonTension, power and drive sizing, including regenerative conveyors
▶ Demo video coming soonTension, power and drive sizing, including regenerative conveyors
2
Sandwich Belt HAC Design Calculator
▶ Demo video coming soonHigh-angle and vertical lift using the DSI method
▶ Demo video coming soonHigh-angle and vertical lift using the DSI method
3
Pipe Conveyor Design Calculator
▶ Demo video coming soonDiameter and belt selection, curvature, tension and power
▶ Demo video coming soonDiameter and belt selection, curvature, tension and power
4
FMIPCC Mining CAD System
▶ Demo video coming soonPit layout CAD, CAPEX, DCF and truck-versus-conveyor comparison
▶ Demo video coming soonPit layout CAD, CAPEX, DCF and truck-versus-conveyor comparison
5
FMIPCC Full System Calculator
▶ Demo video coming soonFully-mobile IPCC sizing and economics
▶ Demo video coming soonFully-mobile IPCC sizing and economics
6
Semi-Mobile IPCC Cost per Tonne
▶ Demo video coming soonDumper, crusher, bench conveyor and HAC chain
▶ Demo video coming soonDumper, crusher, bench conveyor and HAC chain
7
Mine Transport Cost Comparison
▶ Demo video coming soonSandwich HAC vs in-pit conveyor vs dumper, in ₹ per tonne
▶ Demo video coming soonSandwich HAC vs in-pit conveyor vs dumper, in ₹ per tonne
8
Merchentus Mine Planner
▶ Demo video coming soonEquipment selection, coal/OB CAPEX-OPEX, DCF, break-even and CO₂
▶ Demo video coming soonEquipment selection, coal/OB CAPEX-OPEX, DCF, break-even and CO₂
9
Mine Production & Bench Design
▶ Demo video coming soonBench geometry, OB volume and production planning
▶ Demo video coming soonBench geometry, OB volume and production planning
10
Dumper Economics Calculator
▶ Demo video coming soonFleet size, cycle time and haulage cost per tonne
▶ Demo video coming soonFleet size, cycle time and haulage cost per tonne
See the tools working
Watch the narrated walkthrough videos, or ask for a live demonstration for your project. Videos for the Sandwich HAC, Pipe Conveyor and Bench Design tools will be added soon, and live demos of these are available now on request.
Licensing: An activation licence for any tool is issued on specific request, at the company's catalogue price, under different licence categories and for a specified duration. Please contact us with your requirement.
Comparison is based on publicly available product information on vendor websites as of October 2026 and is intended to show where each type of software fits best. Helix delta-T, Belt Analyst, Sidewinder, Deswik, XPAC and TALPAC are trademarks of their respective owners. Merchentus India Exim International LLP is not affiliated with these companies. Features differ by edition and version, so please confirm details with each vendor.