A conveyor system is the backbone of numerous manufacturing processes, as well as some other industries. It makes transportation of heavy parts and raw materials as effortless as it can be and increases the overall safety of this maintenance. Now, a quality conveyor system is an expensive part of the overall equipment within any facility.
This is why a breakdown of the system is a proper nightmare scenario. The repair is expensive and the downtime caused by the breakdown is even more expensive. Here are the top four conveyor system maintenance tips that can help you avoid this altogether.
1. Make sure it’s not misused
Train your team well and make sure to inspect the way they’re using it every now and then. You see, there are certain protocols for running a conveyor system and every system has a carrying capacity.
While the training is supposed to provide your staff with all the necessary information, the truth is that you need to supervise them, as well, in order to make sure they are actually applying the rules. Also, it’s important that the conveyor system is properly set up, to begin with. It’s your job to supervise all of this.
2. Regular cleaning makes a difference
Keeping various parts of the conveyor system clean is essential in maintaining its long-term health. There are two things worth keeping in mind here. First, the maintenance of a conveyor system is complex and dangerous. Second, it takes specialized tools and conveyor belt cleaner products.
Primary belt cleaners, belt secondary cleaners, high-speed belt cleaners and torsion ploughs are just some of the items you need to acquire before starting this maintenance project. Keep in mind that the staff in charge of this needs to be specially trained and ready for the challenge. It is a responsible task and therefore shouldn’t be taken lightly.
3. Proper lubrication can prolong its useful life
With so many moving parts, every conveyancer depends on the lubrication in order to run smoothly. The core idea is that the lubricant is supposed to reduce friction between the conveyor belt and the containers. This enhances traffic flow. Moreover, there are three major types of conveyor lubrication – wet, dry and semi-dry.
There is also a fourth type, the so-called CHP dry micro-lubrication. The difference is based on the purpose of the lubrication and the type of lubricant used. Properly lubricating bearings is one of your top priorities.
4. Additional considerations
There are a few additional considerations that you will have to keep in mind when examining this system. For instance, you need to pay special attention to electronic components. One of the most dangerous mistakes that you will face is the question of whether your conveyancer is properly grounded.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check chain and belt tension in order to avoid making an expensive oversight. Lastly, the most important thing to focus on is the so-called photo-eye cleaning. This is, in its essence, a routine visual inspection of the system that is supposed to increase the overall safety and reliability of your conveyor as a whole.
In conclusion
In the end, proper conveyor system maintenance is far less expensive than replacing and repairing your conveyor the conventional way. This is true even when you factor in the cost of cleaning products, cleaning time and the training that your staff has to undergo in order to become ready to clean the conveyancer.
All in all, if you’re working in an industry or a facility that has a conveyancer, chances are that this is one of the major issues that you will have to resolve. It is a task on your to-do list that just won’t go away.
