Joy manufacturers all the key elements for the armored face conveyor (AFC) including the head and tail frames, line pans, gear boxes, sprockets, couplings and shearer haulage systems. The JOY AFC design uses cast steel sigma sections with exacting tolerances. This casting technology eliminates the weld fabrication of clevis and pan connections, which are inherently unreliable. The cast design provides tighter tolerance assurance which is essential in today's market place. Joy's high specification abrasion resistant upper deck plates, selected to meet pan life requirements, result in maintenance free, long life fabrications.