Conveyor systems are necessary for moving objects from one place to another. These systems can carry items that humans may find too heavy in many cases. In addition, conveyors can move objects in large quantities. However, like any equipment, conveyors also face troubles. Generally, the belts have the most frequent issues.
Suppose you’re planning to set up a conveyor system in your business. In that case, you may need to anticipate possible problems that may happen with your conveyor. You may need to research the belts as these have frequent issues. For that purpose, here’s an article to help you. So, read on!
1. Mistracking
This refers to the misalignment of the belt and track. When this happens, the conveyor system may tilt, leading to the objects being moved falling out of the way.
In some cases, mistracking is caused by problems in rotators and pulleys. On the other hand, some are caused by the thinning of the belts and the wearing of wheels. For better options than pulleys and rotators, you check possible alternatives that aren’t prone to mistracking over at this website.
2. Seized Rollers
When conveyor belts are used for a long time, their rollers tend to develop sharp edges. Apart from the potential of mistracking the straps, the sharp edges can also pose hazards to the operators and damage the products. When signs of this issue show up, you may need to repair or replace the rollers as soon as possible. Neglecting them may require more extensive periods of repairs in the future and could be more expensive.
3. Tears And Seam Rips
Generally, conveyor belts are designed to hold heavy objects. However, these belts have limits and may experience wear and tear if they continuously move things more than their weight restrictions. When these happen, the belts gradually become too stretched and damaged because of tension and stress.
Apart from heavy loads, tears and rips also happen because of excessive friction. To prevent tears and rips, you should only carry objects that weigh within the recommended limits. Furthermore, you may need to inspect the belts during maintenance checkups.
4. Material Spillage
Wobbly belts may cause material spillage. Damaged gears and pulleys are the usual cause of this problem. In addition to wobbly belts, spillage may also take place even without mechanical failures. These could be costly in businesses using conveyor systems, such as food processing, manufacturing, and electronics.
To avoid this, you may check the quality of belts and their installation. Some belts may be too stretched while others are too loose. So, you should make sure that proper belt tension is maintained. You may need to install a snub pulley to address this issue.
5. Belt Slipping
When belts become overly worn, they tend to loosen. Also, too much tension and unnecessary stretching can cause this problem. If you’re operating in a cold environment, the cold could also reduce the traction of the belt. It also loosens the grip between the belt and the pulley, leading to slipping.
If the lagging is incorrectly installed, the belt also has a high possibility of skidding. Pulley problems may also cause these issues. To avoid these troubles, you may need to oversee the installation of belts and pulleys and check them regularly.
6. Blockage
In some cases, objects are stuck because of protruding and sharp edges that stall them. When this happens, all the objects next in line are jammed and clogged, affecting all the items in traffic. Ensure that the belt’s surfaces are smooth to avoid this. They should be free from protrusion, sharp portions, and dents that may snag items on the move.
7. Carryback
This refers to the buildup of materials left by the objects moved. These materials may include ores, clay, and anything that may leave residues. Carryback not only affects the belts but also the undersides and undercarriage. The buildup may even cause clogging and even fire incidents in many cases.
Installing a system that sweeps and cleans the belts may reduce carryback and similar cases. You may set up a belt cleaner at the head and tail pulleys to dislodge any material that may accumulate. For more efficient cleaning, you may consider dual-belt cleaners and a self-cleaning tail pulley.
Wrapping Up
To keep the conveyor system in excellent working condition, you must ensure that the belt is of the highest quality. Running maintenance checkups is one way to guarantee that it’s properly installed and free from issues, such as the presence of sharp edges and worn-out heads and pulleys.
You may also consider setting up magnetic pulleys and drives so you can avoid the traditional problems associated with conventional rotators and pulleys. On top of these solutions, consider taking the time to learn things about conveyors so you’d understand them better.
