Conveyors, of which there are many types, are common tools for transporting goods between different phases of the manufacturing process. These machines are so integral to the material handling process that if one shuts down in your facility, it can send a major punch to your workflow productivity.
So that you can avoid incurring downtime in your facility, this guide will help you with troubleshooting common conveyor belt problems. Not only will this guide help you find the reason for the problems, but it’ll also teach you how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Mistracking
Mistracking of the conveyor belt can lead to a domino effect of issues, such as employees sustaining injuries and products sustaining damage, which is why you must address it immediately. If your belt is mistracking, it could be an issue with the rollers, so be sure to inspect them first. If you notice that the rollers have formed sharp edges, then you’ve found your culprit.
A great way to prevent this from happening is by regularly inspecting your conveyor components. That way, when your rollers begin developing those edges, you can spot it and fix the issue right away, preventing the mistracking from happening in the first place.
Slipping
If your conveyor belt is slipping, then there’s an issue with belt tension. When it comes to tension on your conveyor belt, you don’t want too much or too little; you want to find that happy medium. The head pulley needs to be in working condition to sustain the right amount of tension. When that head pulley wears down or breaks entirely, the belt tension will be askew and lead to slipping. Just like with mistracking, the best way to prevent this from happening is with regular inspections, during which you can clean or replace worn equipment when necessary.
Lack of Movement
There are a number of reasons that your conveyor belt is not moving at all. The first problem to consider is a blockage such as material spillage, dirt, corrosion, and other forms of gunk or debris that can cause the belt to refrain from movement. This is, once again, why regular inspections and cleaning are key when it comes to conveyor systems.
Aside from debris blockage, the issue could be that your products are getting snagged on a sharp edge somewhere along the belt. If debris blockage and sharp edges aren’t the culprit, then there could be an issue with the wiring. Safely inspect all the electrical connections in your conveyor system to make sure none of them are loose, frayed, or otherwise damaged enough to halt your system.
Thanks to this guide, troubleshooting common conveyor belt problems in your facility should be much easier and more efficient. If you use pneumatic conveying in your facility, you won’t have to deal with these problems because, well, there’s no belt to be problematic. However, not all conveyor systems can transport the same types of goods. At the end of the day, if you have the right gear in your facility and, most importantly, you take care of that gear, then it will help you maintain a consistent workflow day in and day out.