Flat Belt Conveyors
Unlike older belt conveyors, flat belts offer added employee safety. Geller says it’s impossible to blow tires, bend wheels or knock a front end out of alignment with this equipment.
Idler rollers employed along the length of the conveyor belt prevent sagging, align the belt, and reduce carryback/leftover material. Troughing idlers feature rubber disks spaced out at set distances.
Safety
While conveyors save time and money, they can also be dangerous to humans who are not properly trained. For this reason, it’s essential to follow lock-out/tag-out protocols and limit access to conveyor controls to only those who are authorized to operate the equipment. Additionally, all employees must receive training on the proper use of conveyors and how to fix minor or major defects.
In addition, all workers should wear gloves when handling conveyor belts, especially when cleaning and maintaining the equipment. Loose hair, Flat belt conveyor jewelry, and clothing can get stuck in machinery and cause malfunction, jamming, or even a conveyor failure. Additionally, all workers should be kept away from pinch points, which are areas where a conveyor belt runs to one side.
Pinch points can lead to serious injuries, including limb crushing or shearing. These hazards can result in extreme blood loss, severe bone breakage, amputation, and death. Additionally, these areas are susceptible to abrasions, chemical burns, and friction burns.
To prevent these hazards, ensure that conveyors are equipped with safety features, such as interlocking devices that shut down systems during an electrical or mechanical overload. Moreover, all controls should be clearly marked and easily accessible in case of an emergency. Also, all aisles and passageways that cross over or under conveyors should be provided with guardrails or other protective measures. Finally, all conveyors should have emergency stop buttons or pull cords located at easy-to-reach locations.
Maintenance
Flat belt conveyors are durable and low maintenance, but they need to be properly cared for. Regular inspections can help keep them working effectively, as well as identifying potential problems before they escalate into more serious issues. This will also reduce downtime and the need for costly repairs.
The most important maintenance tasks to perform on a conveyor are cleaning and checking for wear. If these tasks are not performed regularly, the conveyor may need to be replaced or repaired. Identifying these potential issues early on can prevent them from causing downtime or even shutting down the entire system.
It is also necessary to maintain the conveyor motor and other components. This includes regulating the current draw and making sure it stays within the tolerances specified on the equipment nameplate. The current draw of the motor can be affected by a number of factors, including foreign object interference and excessive voltage. It is helpful to keep a log of the current draw so that this issue can be addressed quickly.
Another maintenance task to perform on a conveyor is to check the frame for being crooked or out of alignment. This can cause the belt to mistrack, which can lead to other parts of the conveyor breaking down or malfunctioning. It is also necessary to check the pulleys to make sure they are evenly lined up with the frame.
Cost
Flat conveyor belts are one of the simplest conveyor systems. They are usually made from softer materials and constantly flow in one direction, moving any material from one side to the other. They are also easy to maintain and repair. Moreover, they are highly versatile. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, including internal conveyance in a warehouse.
Unlike traditional steel guide rails, flat belt Flat Belt Conveyor Manufacturer conveyors do not cause damage to a vehicle’s wheels or tires. This reduces the cost of customer damage claims. Moreover, they eliminate the need for apprehensive customers and inexperienced employees to jump rollers or climb rails. Additionally, they provide a safer loading area that is more accessible for those with limited mobility.
While this is a great feature, it’s important to keep in mind that these systems aren’t suitable for curves or steep slopes. They can also generate vibration, which causes noise and excessive wear on the system. This can lead to increased maintenance and downtime. Furthermore, flat belts have a shorter life span than other conveyor belt types.
When choosing a Flat Belt Conveyor, you should look at the initial and maintenance costs. In addition, you should consider the safety of the conveyor and its components. In addition, it’s a good idea to choose a conveyor system that is compatible with warehouse management software. This will allow you to track inventory and order fulfilment efficiently.
Versatility
Flat belt conveyors can be used for a wide variety of applications and can be adapted to the specific needs of the application. These conveyor systems are typically less expensive to operate and maintain than their motorized counterparts. They are also more versatile and can be moved around a facility when necessary.
Choosing the right conveyor system starts with determining the product type and weight. This will help you determine the best belt material and construction for your specific application. Lightweight items may require a lighter and simpler belt, while heavy materials need a stronger, more durable belt that can handle the weight.
Some conveyor systems allow users to add a cleat-like edge to the belt that can help guide or elevate products as they are transported over long distances. This can be particularly helpful if you have a very long conveyor that is carrying multiple loads.
Another feature of a flat belt conveyor is that it can be set up with an incline or decline of up to 22 degrees. This is ideal for commercial settings that need to transport product across varying elevations within the facility.
One downside to using a flat belt conveyor is that the entire belt must be replaced when it becomes damaged or worn. This can be expensive, especially for large systems that cover long distances. Modular plastic belts are an alternative that can offer greater versatility, as they consist of interlocking segments.