What to Keep in Mind When Dealing with Conveyor Components
There are dozens of components that are needed to make up a conveyor belt. There are also hundreds of different suppliers for each of these components. It is safe to say that you are spoilt for choice when dealing with conveyor belts and solutions to their problems. However, it can become quite a daunting process trying to find the best components for your conveyor belt. All conveyor belt systems are subject to wear and tear. The main cause of this wear is friction. As the belt is running around the clock, this deterioration is expected. No matter how good a component is made or how durable it is, eventually it will wear out, which will result in unnecessary stoppages and additional expenses. There are a number of things you can do in order to minimise any down time that is associated with a worn conveyor belt component.
Always choose high quality components
There is no point buying cheap components, they will wear out a lot quicker than high performance versions. Certain components are prone to wear out quicker than others as they are exposed to more friction and activity. These include belt guides, wear strips, guide rails and corner tracks. In order to extend the life of these components, choose versions that are made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) plastic as this will reduce maintenance costs. This type of plastic is many times stronger than the high density polyethylene that is usually used.
Periodic conveyor system audits
It is vital that regular audits of the conveyor system's components are carried out. Everything should be documented in great detail in order to stay ahead of potential problems. Through the process of discovering small problems and resolving them before they turn into big problems, you will be better equipped to maintain and manage all of your components.
Have spare parts in stock
No matter the quality, all components will eventually wear down and need to be replaced. Therefore, you should always keep in storage a stock of those components that most regularly need to be replaced. This minimises the amount of downtime as you don't have to order and wait for the delivery of replacement components. Having an adequate stock also encourages regular maintenance of the components and replacing them before they have fully worn out.
Identify when you should repair and when you should replace
If the team spends too much time trying to find, diagnose and fix a problem, perhaps the material handling system needs to be changed. After looking at it, you may determine that you should replace the entire system rather than constantly spending money replacing components. For more information, contact a business such as Belle Banne Conveyor Products.
Share