Conveyor systems are one piece of manufacturing and inventory management equipment that can boost worker productivity and safety more than any other.
Belt Conveyors facilitate the efficient flow of components, completed goods, packing, and other materials when properly built and run. However, a conveyor belt breakdown may cause havoc in warehouses and factory floors, impeding material flow, ruining expensive goods, and perhaps putting personnel at risk.
So, how do you ensure they work to their optimal performance? Here are our tips that can help!
Also read: How to choose the right conveyor system
6 Tips That Can Extend the Performance of Conveyors
Whichever kind of conveyor your business uses, you must check it daily for several problems. Squeaky components, malfunctioning electrical systems, wear on belts, strange noises, and objects on the belt are a few examples of these problems. Daily maintenance includes greasing the roller bearings, modifying the blade tension, and clearing any dirt or debris.
What else? Check out the expert tips from Delta Stark!
Check Pulley Alignment and Belt Slippage
Since pulleys are the main parts that keep the belt running smoothly, it is essential to ensure they are correctly aligned. A belt will wear down more quickly if not lined up with the pulley because unequal stress will be applied to one side of the belt.
Slippage, which occurs when the torque is higher than the friction between the pulley and the belt causing the belt to slide back slightly, is another issue that reduces a belt’s lifespan. Manufacturers need to prevent overloading the conveyor and think about correct pulley alignment to lessen this.
Track New Belts
It’s crucial to ensure a new conveyor belt tracks just as well as the old one when it replaces an old, worn-out one. Tracking is the capacity to keep a conveyor belt under correct control as it follows the necessary course.
Since most new belts don’t track as well as the older ones, businesses should be sure to track the new belts on the system by running them slowly and making the necessary changes.
Don’t Forget to Inspect Bearings
Many little bearings are used in take-up rollers, drive pulleys, end rollers, and snub rollers as essential components of roller conveyors. Thus, any repairs made to this part may result in excessive friction between the pulley and the belt, accelerating their wear and tear.
As a result, it’s vital to routinely check them for excessive noise or residue buildup, as these indicate a worn-out bearing. It is preferable to replace the rollers themselves rather than individual bearings when they attain the final stage of their pivotal life.
Clean and Maintain the Idlers
Idlers are a frequently ignored component of a conveyor system that eventually wears out and gets dirty. Idlers may become misaligned or cease to work entirely for various reasons, including improper cleaning, continuous machine operation, and variations in product loads.
As a result, your conveyor belts can suffer early wear and tear due to defective idlers. Idler maintenance and repair should be a top concern.
Keep the Belt and Motor Clean
Conveyor belts and motors should also be carefully cleaned to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris; this is a simple task that is frequently neglected. Clean and inspect the belts’ undersides regularly to look for any buildup of debris that might cause slippage.
For this reason, choosing a system with belt scrapers or lifters is better. In a similar vein, a motor covered in dust can ultimately clog the fan vents, which will cause it to overheat. Overall, by following good cleanliness, serious bottlenecks are easily avoided.
Check out the benefits of Conveyor belts
Common Conveyor System Problems and How to Prevent Them
Even with proper maintenance, conveyor systems can face issues that affect production. Being aware of these problems helps you fix them early and avoid costly downtime.
1. Belt Mistracking
When a conveyor belt doesn’t run straight, it causes edge wear, product spillage, and faster belt damage.
Prevention: Regularly check alignment, tensioning, and load distribution.
2. Material Spillage
Loose materials spilling off the belt can damage equipment and reduce safety.
Prevention: Install proper skirt boards and regularly clean loading zones.
3. Overheating Motors
Dust accumulation or overloading can cause motors to overheat, leading to shutdowns.
Prevention: Ensure proper cleaning, avoid overloading, and monitor motor temperature.
4. Worn-Out Rollers & Idlers
Damaged rollers create vibration and noise, reducing belt lifespan.
Prevention: Replace faulty rollers immediately and maintain lubrication.
5. Slippage Under Heavy Load
Excessive load on the belt can cause slippage and reduced efficiency.
Prevention: Avoid overloading, check pulley tension, and keep belts clean
In Conclusion
You can elevate the performance of your chain conveyors and maintain efficient production by heeding the tips provided in this article. Making the most of your conveyor system requires regular maintenance, correct loading, speed optimization, safety precautions, and performance tracking, among other things.
To leverage your system benefits and confirm that you’re using it appropriately, take some time to evaluate it. As the best belt conveyor manufacturer, Delta Stark can be your ideal partner for slat conveyor maintenance. Contact Delta Stark today to learn more or arrange maintenance on your conveyor belt system.