Bryan Bartley Explained

Bryan Bartley
Birth Name:Bryan Allen Bartley
Birth Date:30 November 1928
Birth Place:Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
Death Place:Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Alma Mater:Auckland University College
Known For:Invention of the Barmac crusher

Bryan Allen Bartley (30 November 1928 – 24 March 2015) was a New Zealand civil engineer and inventor. He developed the Barmac crusher with fellow engineer Jim Macdonald.

Early life and family

Born in the Auckland suburb of Epsom in 1928,[1] Bartley was the second son of Wilma Amy (née Slattery) and George Frederick Bartley,[2] a pharmacist.[3] He studied civil engineering at Auckland University College, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1950[4] or 1953.[5]

Career

After graduating with a degree in engineering, Bartley worked at the City Engineer's Office for Auckland City Council.[6] Bartley was employed by Winstone Aggregates and in the 1960s was instrumental in that company purchasing what is now its main quarry, Hunua Quarry near Papakura. He was one of the founders of the New Zealand branch of the Institute of Quarrying, and in 1989 served as the Institute of Quarrying's first international president.[7] Initially working at Winstone for nine years, Bartley spent two years working for Gammon Construction in Malaysia, returning to Winstone from 1963, eventually becoming the general manager and working at the company for a further 22 years.[6]

In 1970, Wellington engineer Jim Macdonald built the prototype for a new vertical shaft impactor for creating construction aggregate.[8] Over a period of eight years, Bartley and Macdonald developed the prototype into a viable commercial machine that became known as the Barmac crusher after its two creators.[8] [9] The pair licensed the manufacture of their crusher around the world, and sold the business in 1994.[9] By 2003 over 3500 Barmac crushers had been sold worldwide, the largest rated at 800 kW,[10] and it has been used on projects including the Three Gorges Dam in China.[11] The original Barmac crusher, machine number 1, is preserved at the Kiwi Point Quarry in Ngauranga Gorge, Wellington.[10]

Bartley also developed and patented a new self-feathering yacht propeller with John Blundell.[12]

In the 2000 New Year Honours, Bartley was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to engineering and the community.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: Births . 4 December 1928 . Auckland Star . 29 March 2015 . 1 .
  2. Web site: Bryan Allen Bartley . 2015 . HeavenAddress . 29 March 2015.
  3. Book: Electoral district of Manukau: general roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand . 1928 . 12.
  4. La Roche. John. Bryan Allen Bartley. Engineering Dimension. June 2015. 148. 7. 1175-7752.
  5. Web site: NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Ba–Be . 29 March 2015.
  6. Book: John. La Roche . John La Roche . Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage . 2011 . Wily Publications . Biographic Information About Writers . 319-326 . 9781927167038.
  7. Web site: Bryan Bartley passes . 27 March 2015 . Institute of Quarrying New Zealand . 29 March 2015.
  8. Book: Lynch . Alban J. . Rowland . Chester A. . The History of Grinding . 29 March 2015 . 2005 . Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration . Littleton, Colorado . 0-87335-238-6 . 71.
  9. Web site: Barmac rock crusher . No.8 Re-Wired . 29 March 2015.
  10. Web site: Barmac aggregate impact crusher; machine#1, Wellington . IPENZ . 9 February 2015.
  11. Web site: Rock, limestone and clay – sources and uses . 13 July 2012 . Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage . 29 March 2015.
  12. News: NZ propeller design attracts world interest . 5 July 2001 . New Zealand Herald . 29 March 2015 . Robin . Bailey.
  13. Web site: New Year honours list 2000 . 31 December 1999. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 18 August 2019.