Maintenance of conveyors is often overlooked. Conveyors have a reputation for being reliable. Plug them in, and they’ll run. This perception can lead plant operators to believe they are safe. If properly maintained, a well-built system of conveyors can last for many years.
Here are five things you can to do ensure that your conveyors last a long time:
1: Training
The maintenance personnel must be knowledgeable about the latest methods and techniques for repairing conveyors. It will save you money and guarantee optimal performance.
Suppliers of reputable conveyors in Australia offer on-site training to give maintenance personnel an interactive, reliability-focused approach to conveyor maintenance. Curriculum includes the correct way to perform common maintenance repairs as well as a general awareness of issues that may arise due to improper maintenance. If the belt is wearing unevenly at the bottom, this could be caused by improper loading. If the belt fasteners pull out, this could be due to the tension being too strong or incorrect starting.
Maintenance personnel can then train their equipment operators to detect problems in their conveyors. It is crucial to do this because employees who work near conveyors are usually the first ones to detect a problem.
2: Preventive Maintenance
Three main goals can be achieved by a well-designed maintenance program.
- The course is designed for equipment operators and maintenance personnel.
- This extends the life of conveyors.
- It is proactive in identifying areas that need attention before they impact operations.
The company will save time and money if they can manage their resources better and avoid a costly production line shutdown.
Preventive maintenance programs are designed around the expected life of different conveyor components, such as belts, gear motors and bearings. When establishing a program for preventive maintenance, it is important to take into account how often conveyors operate. The more conveyors are used, the more they will need to be changed out for maintenance. Consider creating a database for all conveyors that contains key information, such as make and model, dimensions (conveyor width and length), type motor, type belt, serial numbers of bearings, dates and types of inspections in the future, last maintenance check, and the type of maintenance done.
It’s up to you how complex or simple your inventory database is. You can get help from your conveyor supplier.
3: Spare Parts
The success of a preventive maintenance program is dependent on the availability of spare parts and common replacement parts for conveyors. Motors, belts, and bearings will help minimize downtime if you keep them on hand.
Suppliers often recommend spare parts kits for each model to help you identify the exact parts required for your conveyors. It is best to keep spare parts of each main component, particularly for items that are subjected to high wear such as belts. If two belts become damaged within a few days, they can be replaced quickly and with little interruption to production.
4: Warning Signs
To keep your production flowing smoothly, it is important to identify parts that show signs of failure before they are placed on the conveyor. What to look out for includes:
- Check for damage or fraying on the belt or chain. Also, check for debris buildup or excess slack.
- Tracking: When the conveyor belts get off track, it can cause damage to the other parts of the conveyor.
- Bearings: You can sometimes hear or feel when a bearing fails. A bearing failure can lead to major repairs in the future.
- Gear motors: Gearbox noise, or excessive heat coming from the motor or gearbox could be an indication of trouble. These warning signs may indicate a potential failure of the drive or identify other problems.
5 Safety
When working with conveyors, all operators should follow safe practices. When choosing replacement parts for conveyors, safety should be taken into consideration.
Use the right parts: The best way to maintain your warranty is to use parts that are manufactured by the manufacturer of your conveyor. These parts have been engineered specifically to work with your conveyor.
Don’t wait: Do not let worn-out parts become a danger to the product being transported by the conveyor or any workers who interact with it.
