Essential Maintenance Tips For the Longevity Of Belt Conveyor Systems
Have you ever wondered how a belt conveyor system can sustain the operation even for an extensive period of time?
The truth is, behind their efficiency lies one critical factor: maintenance. Even the most reliable conveyor systems can be expensive to fix or inefficient if they are not well maintained often. If the right measures, such as cleaning, lubricating, and so on, are applied, then the lifespan of the system is greatly enhanced.
Further, its major repair costs are reduced.
So, whether you have a factory, warehouse or production line, you should learn how to maintain your belt conveyor well so that it will serve you well.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at some crucial tips that will help you to make your conveyor system efficient.
1. Regularly Clean the System
Cleaning the conveyors could be one of the most effective practices, yet it is often overlooked. It is common with time to see dust, grease and debris accumulate on the belt, rollers and pulleys.
This sort of accumulation, if not managed, leads to slippage, alignment problems, and wear. These issues can become excessive, invasive, and time-consuming in the long run. They may even lead to a potential trigger for other issues that are difficult to sort out without causing additional harm.
However, cleaning is not rocket science. First, remove any large debris around the system through vacuuming. Secondly, clean rollers and pulleys using brushes or wipes and ensure that the belt avoids coming into contact with sticky substances or oil that may reduce its friction.
More importantly, double-check that the cleaning agents you use are suitable for your system. It is because some cleaners end up causing more harm than good.
2. Check the Signs of Wear and Tear
Frictions are a troublesome problem with conveyor belts. So, daily signs of wear and tear should be monitored closely to avert major damages in the future.
It’s kind of like seeing a tiny crack in your car’s windshield; if you don’t do something about it, it won’t go away on its own.
Similarly, you should check for the presence of any cracks or cuts on the belt, however small, as they could be fatal and costly.
Also, see whether the belt is straining too much, which might later interfere with the whole flow of the system. The uneven lateral edges can even indicate other alignment or tension problems.
Hence, if you see any signs of such problems, repair or put in a new belt when needed.
Prevention also saves time and cash, and your conveyor will carry out as planned with minimal intermission. That is why a regular 5-10-minute check may help to avoid hours of diagnostic work in the future.
3. Maintain Proper Tension of the Belt
Finding the right level of tension on the conveyor belt is like tuning a guitar, and if it is too tight or loose, it won’t work perfectly.
For example, if the tension is beyond the required levels, it puts pressure on the motor and rollers, which is not quite right. On the other hand, if it is loose, the belt may either slide off, come off track or entirely stop functioning.
A procedure is performed to determine the tension level of such a conveyor belt. It is done by using a tension gauge. A balance of tension should be observed throughout the entire length of the belt. It is to avoid causing uneven wear or a jerk-like effect while in operation.
You may also need to make some alterations depending on the product conveyed and in weather conditions like high temperature or humidity.
4. Lubricate the Conveyor
Lubricating the conveyor system’s moving parts is as simple as giving them the sweet little nudge to perform without problem.
Their rollers, bearings, and pulleys are constantly moving and friction. Hence, they require timely lubrication to minimize wear and sound, operate at lower temperatures, and avoid a major breakdown.
It is advisable to use the type of lubricants recommended by its manufacturer to maximize performance. Of course, it is also important not to overdo it, as grease or oil attracts dirt and dust. This, in turn, may result in system issues.
Lubricating these parts may be time-consuming, but doing this alone will help retain the system’s optimum performance.
5. Monitor Drive and Motor Parts
The motor and the drive product are the central parts of your conveyor system because they correspond to the electrical energy used to convert mechanical power.
Scheduled examinations can help you keep many potential problems at bay in the long run. When checking the drive belts, observe the surface to see if it has worn out or cracks and replace it when necessary. Also, when it comes to bearings and pulleys, immediately take action if they are not rotating right or look hot.
Remember, check and tighten all the electrical connections to make sure there are no problems with power. This way, you will minimize instances whereby the system is operational and then breaks down, resulting in huge losses.
Conclusion
Maintenance of your conveyor belt system is not just a simple cleanup; it is all about making it optimum for years.
You can maintain your system by regularly cleaning, checking for wear and tear, maintaining the proper tension, lubricating the conveyor, and monitoring the drive and motor parts.
By following the mentioned maintenance steps, you can observe an impressive improvement in your conveyor system. Moreover, this proactive investment in maintenance will significantly reduce repair costs with the proper conduct of such steps.
So, why not try these procedures now?
Give your conveyor system some pampering and care.
