Preventative Maintenance for Flat Belt Conveyors
Unlike systems that pull, flat belt conveyors push vehicles to the exit door. “This is much more efficient and prevents drivers from turning, braking or shifting out of neutral,” Geller says.
Depending on the length of the conveyor belt, a full take-up assembly will be used to manage the optimum tension of the belt. This includes both bend rollers and a gravity or sliding roller that routinely manages the slack.
Safety
Keeping track of the precise workings of your conveyor belt is vital, especially in a production environment. Even the smallest mistake can throw everything off schedule and cause significant financial losses. Fortunately, there are plenty of preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of mechanical problems. These include regular maintenance, checking for signs of wear and tear, and monitoring the power consumption of your conveyor system.
A flat belt conveyor can be easily equipped with a variety of accessories like cooling fan banks, integrated vision, guides and control systems. It can also be used to transport products from wave solder and reflow ovens, or for progressive assembly. It is also possible to integrate a feeder into the conveyor, which allows for multiple process steps.
Safety features on a flat belt conveyor can help prevent accidents and injuries. These features include support rollers that provide support for the belt along its underside, preventing belt sag. They can also be fitted with a motor to power the conveyor system and provide the necessary torque.
Safety systems should include interlocking controls that shut down all conveyor segments during an electrical or mechanical overload. They should also be equipped with voltage and current indicators, circuit breakers, fuses, phase loss sensors and other safety devices. Conveyors should also be inspected regularly for lubrication and cleaning. During maintenance, the power to the conveyor should be locked out and all tools and personnel should be cleared of moving parts before restarting the system.
Efficiency
If you’re looking to make your car wash more efficient, consider a flat belt conveyor. This type of conveyor has a wide belt and can accommodate dual rear wheels (dualies) and exotic cars with low hanging battery boxes. Additionally, this conveyor system eliminates concerns about drivers turning or braking while on the conveyor, which could result in rear-end collisions.
In addition to the support rollers, flat conveyor belts can also incorporate troughing idler rollers to help the belt hold its shape. These rollers are located along the conveyor’s length and serve multiple purposes, including supporting the belt, preventing sagging, aligning the belt, and cleaning up carryback.
For some applications, a troughing conveyor may be able to withstand up to 25 Flat belt conveyor degrees of troughing. Any more than this would cause permanent damage to the belt’s carcass.
A flat conveyor system also uses fewer moving parts, which reduces maintenance needs and downtime. However, the system will still need regular lubrication to ensure proper function. Keeping the moving parts of your conveyor belt lubricated will help to extend its life and prevent unnecessary wear and tear. You should also perform regular inspections to identify any problems before they become serious. This will allow you to fix them quickly and efficiently. If you notice any issues, contact a service company to perform routine maintenance on your conveyor belt.
Cost
Flat belt conveyors are one of the most economical conveyor types available. They can be used to transport items within a facility and can accommodate a wide variety of item sizes and shapes. In addition, they can be equipped with short cleats that are less likely to damage the items being conveyed.
Moreover, unlike conventional conveyors that use steel wheels to move the vehicle, belt conveyors do not require any wheel rotation. This means that it’s impossible to blow a tire or knock a wheel out of alignment when loading on a belt conveyor. This is especially important for exotic cars, which can be extremely difficult to load onto standard conveyors.
Another benefit of the flat belt conveyor is that it can be easily cleaned and sanitized. The modular plastic system consists of interlocking segments, so only a single segment needs to be replaced if it becomes damaged. This saves time and money and increases efficiency.
These conveyors can also be adapted for various applications, including industrial coating, cooling, draining, drying, and heating. They can be made of different materials, such as PVC, PU, felt, or silicone. They are also easy to adjust and can be equipped with cleats, alignment guides, or side walls. Additionally, they can be made to have either a look across or look down sensing configurations, and they can be designed for progressive indexing or continuous flow.
Maintenance
It’s important to regularly check your conveyor belt for signs of mistracking. Even small crookedness can cause a great deal of damage over time. You can also monitor the conveyor frame to make sure it’s square and level. You can use a standard level to confirm this, and it’s also worth checking the pulleys to ensure they’re evenly lined up with the conveyor frame.
One of the most common problems that can affect conveyor systems is Flat Belt Conveyor Manufacturer blockages and material spillage. These issues can reduce efficiency and require more maintenance than necessary. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to fix.
To prevent these issues, you should always clean the conveyor belt thoroughly. This will help reduce the likelihood of buildups that can cause mistracking and other problems. Regular cleaning also helps to keep the belt in good shape and reduce wear and tear. It’s also important to regularly inspect the return idlers and their alignment, as well as the lagging on the pulleys (the layer of material bonded to the shell to increase shell protection and friction).
It’s essential to lock the conveyor system and wear appropriate PPE before you perform any maintenance work. It’s also essential to clamp the belt properly before you begin any work. If you fail to do this, the system could slip off the track and damage the components underneath it.