Maintaining equipment is the most important thing for smooth and efficient processes. For businesses that rely on conveyor system, regular maintenance is not just a best practice—it's essential. At Headsup B2B, we understand the importance of well-maintained conveyor systems and are here to guide you through the best practices to ensure your conveyor operates at its best. This blog will provide you with practical insights to help you attain peak performance, regardless of whether you're new to conveyor maintenance or searching for sophisticated advice to improve your current procedures.

Introduction

Any manufacturing or processing facility's overall performance, productivity, and efficiency depend on having a well-maintained conveyor belt system. Frequent maintenance keeps your conveyor belt system operating properly and saves costly downtime by extending its lifespan and assisting in the prevention of unplanned malfunctions. Maximising the return on your investment requires effective conveyor belt maintenance since it minimises wear and tear, lowers the chance of a system failure, and keeps everything operating at peak efficiency. We'll go over important maintenance advice in this educational tutorial to keep your conveyor belt system operating consistently and long.

Understanding Conveyor System

A conveyor system is a mechanical handling device that moves loads and materials automatically across a space quickly and effectively. Among its many advantages, this technology lessens human error, lowers workplace dangers, and lowers labour expenses. They are be handy for transferring large or heavy objects from one location to another. A conveyor system can move things using a chain, wheels, rollers, or a belt.

How do Conveyor Systems Work

Conveyor systems are made up of a belt stretched across multiple pulleys, forming a closed loop for rotation. The drive pulley drives the belt, moving items. Most designs use a rotor to power the drive pulley and belt, ensuring they run in the same direction. Conveyors can turn, using unique cone-shaped wheels or rotors to allow the belt to follow bends or twists without getting tangled.

Benefits of conveyor systems

A conveyor system's primary function is to transfer items from one place to another. Things that are too big or heavy for people to lift by hand can be moved thanks to the design.

Time is saved while moving goods from one place to another with conveyor systems. They facilitate the easier process of moving objects up and down floors, which can be inclined to span numerous levels. Manually performing this activity by hand can be physically taxing for humans. Material can be automatically unloaded by inclined belts, removing the requirement for someone to be at the other end to accept the pieces.

Types and examples of conveyor systems

Although this is just one sort of conveyor system, you can easily picture a big warehouse full of conveyors moving boxes and other heavy equipment with the help of belts and rollers. Conveyor systems are also utilised for luggage transportation in airports. Lifts for skiing and escalators are two other examples. These devices still transfer heavy objects from one location to another using a belt, chain, and pulleys.

Conveyor systems come in a variety of forms, including:

• Belt

• Roller

• Slat/apron

• Ball transfer

• Overhead

• Pneumatic

• Bucket

• Chute

• Magnetic

• Vertical

• Wheel

• Walking beam

• Vibrating

• Screw/auger

• Chain

Essential parts of a conveyor system

A conveyor system consists of three main parts: the belt support, the pulley, and the drive unit. The belt support ensures smooth belt movement, while the pulley system controls belt movement with at least two pulleys. The drive unit, with a counter bearing, keeps the system moving efficiently and allows the belt to move in reverse. Some conveyor systems are manually operated, but they still use a drive unit, which is not motorised. The construction materials and location of each component vary, but all components play a crucial role in the system's operation.

How to choose the right conveyor system

A conveyor serves as a central nervous system for operations, handling, storing, distributing, manufacturing, or shipping products. Selecting the right conveyor system can be challenging due to various types and configurations. Factors to consider include product and process requirements when purchasing an ideal conveyor system for warehousing or distribution facilities.

Initially, the perfect conveyor system has to be:

• Safe to operate and energy-efficient

• dependable (long-lasting materials and components)

• ability to change to meet evolving demands

• economical (measured by total cost of ownership, or TCO)

What are the Steps to a Well-maintained Conveyor Systems

Maintenance Technician

Underappreciated maintenance technicians are often overlooked in facilities. Companies often overlook or underpay them, focusing on small issues rather than addressing larger ones. A good technician can prevent problems from becoming major issues. The choice lies in how to spend money, with less on lost sales and unhappy customers, and more on a great maintenance technician. Therefore, investing in these professionals is crucial for maintaining a successful facility.

Spare Parts

Mechanical parts are inevitable and can cause significant damage to the system. Despite the manufacturer's promises, it is rare to find a part that never needs replacement. A breakdown can halt production for a long time, and prolonged periods without replacing a failed part can cause serious damage to other system parts. It is recommended to keep a safety stock of critical and long lead time conveyor parts on hand or work with a supplier to ensure critical parts are always in stock.

Preventive Maintenance

Maintaining mechanical equipment, including conveyors, is crucial for long-term system up-time. Different parts of the system require different levels of preventive care, similar to a car. Following the recommended service schedule ensures long-term performance, while not performing service on the car can result in constant roadside assistance. A competent supplier can help develop a comprehensive preventive maintenance plan, ensuring maximum system up-time.

System Audit & Documentation

Continuously inspecting your conveyor system is crucial for its smooth operation. Small problems can be detected before they escalate. Regular inspections can help identify slow failures. A supplier can perform a complete system audit, ensuring the entire system, from infeed to discharge, is checked by competent personnel. This prevents the conveyor from causing catastrophic failure.

Obsolete Equipment & Parts

Maintaining a current inventory of obsolete conveyors and parts within your system can help you and your company make wise business decisions. For instance, if a conveyor type is no longer being manufactured, it may be more financially prudent to stock additional spare parts rather than replace them entirely.

Repair Wisely

Maintaining a large material handling system can be overwhelming, so it's crucial to think of repairs in terms of time. For instance, if a bearing fails in a critical drive, replacing only the bearing may be cost-effective. However, replacing both bearings and possibly the pulley is more intelligent, as dismantling the drive section takes more time than changing out components.

How Headsup B2B Can Be Your Reliable Partner in Conveyor Maintenance

Maintaining your conveyor system is crucial for keeping your operations running smoothly. At Headsup B2B, we are committed to being your trusted partner in this essential task. Here's how we can help you achieve optimal conveyor performance:

Expert Guidance

Our team of experienced professionals provides expert advice tailored to your specific conveyor system. Whether you need help with routine inspections or troubleshooting complex issues, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Comprehensive Resources

We offer a wealth of resources to help you maintain your conveyor. We provide detailed maintenance guides, you'll find everything you need to keep your system in its best condition. Our online platform, checklists, and best practices guarantee the long-lasting life of your conveyor.

Quality Products

At Headsup B2B, we understand the importance of using high-quality parts and lubricants for your conveyor. We offers superior-quality products to enhance the performance and life span of your system. Our catalogue includes everything from replacement parts to advanced conveyor technologies.

Preventive Maintenance Plans

We help you develop and implement effective preventive maintenance plans. Headsup B2B provides customised checklists and tracking tools to make it easy to stay on top of routine tasks and avoid costly downtime. By following our preventive maintenance advice, you can extend the life of your conveyor and boost productivity.

Training and Support

Ensuring your team is well-trained is key to successful conveyor maintenance. Headsup B2B also offer training programs and workshops to train your staff with the knowledge and skills they need. Additionally, our customer support team is always ready to answer your questions and provide assistance whenever you need it.

With Headsup B2B as your reliable partner, you can trust that your conveyor system will be well-maintained and perform at its best.