Conveyor belts are the backbones of most of the manufacturing and processing units. They are highly beneficial for the smooth working of processing operations and the transfer of heavy loads from one workstation to another. Due to technological changes, these conveyor systems have helped a lot in minimizing human efforts and have enhanced productivity levels. One of the most important things you can do to maintain the efficiency of the conveyor belts is to take proper care of the belt systems timely and regularly. It feels good to use this equipment for a long time with minimum breakdowns, replacements, and maintenance costs.
Here are some tips to help you get the the most out of your conveyor belts without spending a lot on their regular maintenance and repairs. Read on.
Correct Belt for the Application:
Numerous factors are responsible for the correct functioning of the conveyor belts. Among them are:
- Temperature conditions,
- Size of the load,
- Least number of pulleys,
- Speed and velocity of the straps and
- Product type
These factors play an important role in the prolonged functioning of the belts for a particular functioning. Considering these factors, you ought to choose a belt that suits the job’s application or nature to ensure its prolonged usage.
Correct Tension in the Belt:
Over-tensioning of the conveyor belts is the most common factor responsible for their breakdowns. The appropriate tension to be applied to conveyor belts ranges from 0.4% to 0.7%. Over-tensioning belts may lead to the degradation of ruin bearings, shafts, or other belt components. It may even lead to premature pulling out of laces or laps falling apart. You can increase the wrap on the pulley or check for pulley lags if there are spillages on the belt.
Good Condition of the Conveyors:
Careful examination of the conveyor system is necessary before replacing the system’s belts. To maintain the conveyors’ efficiency, ensure that all the pulleys need to be positioned adequately on the squares; idler rollers should turn properly. Components like scrapers, plows, and other tracking devices should be repaired and replaced as and when required.
Proper Storing of the Belts:
The main reason for the malfunctioning of the conveyor belts is the lack of proper storage. It is crucial to store the additional straps properly in appropriate places. Sealing the small straps with plastic coverings is recommended to avoid their contact with moisture and contamination. The larger ones should not be placed on floors as they may absorb water from cold surfaces.
Tracking the Belt Correctly:
While replacing the old belt with a new one, there are possibilities that the old belt would have resulted in changes to the conveyor system. So before placing a new belt on the conveyor, you ought to make necessary adjustments to track the new belt properly and to get back the initial specifications of the conveyors.
