How to Improve the Efficiency of Your Conveyor Belt

Charlotte Miller

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Every company treasures productivity and the safety of its employees. And one of the best ways of boosting productivity and enhancing the safety of employees is bringing in conveyor systems. With a conveyor system, you can easily move goods from point one to another more efficiently and safely. This is a special aspect of inventory management. However, an inefficient conveyor belt can lead to downtown. Here is how to improve the efficiency of your conveyor belt.

Load Capacity

Which types of loads will your conveyor be handling? Before purchasing a conveyor belt, take into consideration the size, weight, as well as, dimensions of the material you intend to transport. With this load characteristic in mind, you’ll be able to choose the best belt material, drive, and motor for your application. Temperature is another aspect that could also affect your selection. If you aren’t sure about this, you can always consult a belt expert. He or she will help you review different options and choose the perfect belt for your specific needs.

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Set your conveyors to pull rather than push 

Compared to pushing, pulling is more efficient. When pushing, your conveyor system can actually lose up to seventy percent of its load capacity. You’ll also want to consider how fast you need your materials to be transported. In distribution or airport industries, for instance, a fast-moving conveyor is paramount.

Stick To Manufacturer’s Instructions 

Don’t ignore the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that your employees adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance. Perform daily, weekly, and monthly inspections. And this is particularly important when it comes to bearings and pulleys. Ask your maintenance team to record all the inspection actions taken.

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Keep Your Belt clean 

Not only is cleanliness critical for food and pharmaceutical companies, but it’s also crucial to other industries. Regular cleaning can significantly enhance your conveyor system’s performance. A cleaning and lubricating regimen will minimize energy consumption, friction, and slippage.

Replace Broken Parts

Predictive maintenance can be highly beneficial to your business. It can help you avoid catastrophic breakdowns and maintain high levels of productivity. Not only are bad parts vulnerable to breakage but they’re also responsible for slow workflow. To practice predictive maintenance, it’s always important to have critical parts on hand.  

Consider Inspecting and Calibrating

Make sure that your conveyor system is outfitted with functional pull stops, railings, machine guards, as well as housings. Plus, you should ensure that you have implemented appropriate safety mechanisms, such as warning labels.

Make the Workstations Efficient and Safe

In most workshops, conveyors are part of workstations. Several activities are undertaken at the workstation. From picking, packing, assembling, to inspecting items, there are several activities that are conducted in workstations. Thus, consider designing your workstation in such a way that employees can feel more productive and safer. It should limit safety issues such as workplace accidents. Doing so will help the employees reduce time to be spent on bending, trying to reach items, and twisting to get to the next workstation. This will mean that there is better performance from the side of your employees. The conveyor belt should be designed for the tallest operator in your workstation. This will eliminate bending to reach certain items from time to time.

Instill A Safety Culture in Your Company

Safety is an important aspect of any workstation. Companies are encouraged to cultivate a culture of embracing safety. This will ensure that all the workers remain safe, which boosts the productivity of your company. Thus, employees should be encouraged to observe safety standards. Plus, all accidents should be reported to relevant authorities in the shortest time possible. There should be no misuse of conveyors. Thus, those who violate the zero policy to misused these special machines should be dealt with accordingly. Still more, all the employees should attend training on how to properly use conveyor belts, including how to stop them during emergencies.

Proper Planning, Maintenance

The belt efficiency is hinged on how better you plan and maintain it. In particular, pre production planning, as well as maintenance, are key areas you should focus on if you want maximum efficiency from your conveyor belt. Of course, this can look inconvenient to some people. However, the long-run results can be impressive. It will not only prevent halts but also do away with downtime, which can lead to inefficiency and poor production.

High-Quality Belting

Choosing the right conveyor belt can greatly improve the performance of your conveyor. Getting it wrong can lead to halts and inefficiency. Remember, the belt rests on the pulley system. It’s what drives the conveyor. It also comes into contact with the product. That’s why you should pay close focus to the belt style, surface thickness, and installation protocols. Also, things like the load requirement and the material of the belting can influence the performance of your conveyor system. Thus, choose the right belting. Select a strong material for your belting. Don’t forget to adhere to the load requirements. Ensure that the belt is installed properly.

Know the Load

One of the most prominent conveyor problems is the specification error.  Thus, consider calculating the load for the conveyor system. Know all the units placed on the load. How heavy is each unit? Calculate the total units. Compare it against the required load (i.e. for the conveyor system). Remember, overloading the conveyor system can lead to the breakage of gears and bearings. What is the orientation of each unit? What about the dimension of each unit? The position of the load in the system should also be noted.

Key Takeaway

Conveyor systems are delicate in nature. They are explicit. Thus, not paying close attention to its efficiency isn’t a prudent idea. Thus, be sure to conduct proper maintenance. Load the right amount. Don’t overload it. Use it for the right purposes.

The Bottom-Line

The above tips and tricks will help improve the efficiency of your conveyor belt. Still more, they will prevent the belt downtown.