Contractor Tips Blog

Jun
5

4 Elements of Visually Inspecting a Conveyor Belt

Posted in Conveyor Belts

Ocular or visual inspections are an important part of conveyor maintenance; there are often visual clues that can alert you to a conveyor breakdown before it happens. Performing an ocular inspection should be part of routine maintenance, but you need to know what to look for during your inspection. Here are four elements of visually inspecting a conveyor belt that can ensure you stay on top of preventive maintenance.

  1. Is the belt intact? Start with the overall basics and inspect the integrity of the belt. Are the belt and joints worn, frayed or have any signs of deterioration? Look for residue, metal dust or dirty areas that could be signs of parts wearing down.
  2. Check the moving components. Look at the moving components and bed of the conveyor. Check the pulleys, spindles, rolls, bearings and sliding bed to ensure all pieces are in good condition and complete.
  3. Watch the belt movement. Without product, test the belt movement. Does the belt pull to one side or is it centered? A worn bearing can cause the belt to pull to one side – misalignment of pulleys, rolls and wheels can also pull the belt off-center. Adjust as needed to align the belt.
  4. Inspect product transportation. A conveyor belt can function fine without weight, then have issues under load. Carefully inspect the belt as it is transporting product – look for rubbing or slipping that can cause wear and malfunction.

Periodically doing self-inspections on conveyor belts can identify issues before they cause a belt breakdown that can stop production. It is also important to schedule professional maintenance and thorough inspections to replace parts as needed to extend the lifespan of your equipment and reduce emergency repairs. Just remember, preventive maintenance is always cheaper than loss of production and costly repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

May
9

Potential Conveyor Belt Problems

Posted in Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts are a key component to productivity in many industries. A breakdown can bring everything to a halt, impacting every aspect of the business. Manufacturing can stop; shipments can be delayed, all due to a belt problem on your conveyor. Knowing the top conveyor belt problems and how to fix or trouble shoot them can help minimize slowdowns in your business’ productivity. Here are some of the top potential conveyor belt problems.

Materials Sticking to the Belt (Carryover)

When small amounts of material get stuck to the belt, it can cause issues in the conveyor system. When these materials carryover, they can be pulled under the conveyor and accumulate in pulleys, rollers and other mechanisms. Keeping the belt clean can prevent premature wear on the belt and breakdowns in the system.

Tracking Issues

Mistracking is one of the main causes of belt deterioration. Poorly fitted belts, tension problems and material buildup all can cause mistracking. It is best to have a conveyor belt service professional inspect the system and find the issue to get your conveyor back on track to prevent unscheduled stoppage of your production line.

Worn or Damaged Belts

Belts that wear out quickly or sustain constant damage are bound to slow down productivity. Belts are expensive to fix and replace but are needed to keep your conveyor functional. Inspect belts regularly to identify belt damage and fix as needed – routine cleaning and maintenance can help minimize premature belt damage and lower costs on replacement.

Preventing belt problems can save downtime costs and increase profits for your business. Stay on top of maintenance with routine inspections and service to reduce potential conveyor belt problems.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Apr
16

Choosing a Qualified Conveyor Belt Supplier

Posted in Conveyor Belts

Many businesses rely on conveyor belts to help speed up productivity. From warehouses and shipping outlets to manufacturing floors and commercial kitchens, conveyor belts keep products moving and help improve profitability. Whether you run a large commercial manufacturing plant or a small craft beer business, you need a qualified conveyor belt supplier to ensure your business stays productive. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a conveyor belt supplier for your company.

  • Types of conveyor belts. Conveyor belts are not one-size-fits-all. You want a supplier that offers a wide variety of conventional conveyor belts as well as customized options. Cleated, food-grade, rough-top and other options should be available in various sizes. Your supplier should offer delivery and installation of your conveyor belt equipment.
  • Conveyor components. Hoses, timing belts, lacing, rubber and other components are needed for maintenance and repairs on your conveyor. Your supplier should have the parts you will need for maintaining your equipment and quick options for delivery.
  • Service for your conveyor. A conveyor belt company that can install, maintain and repair your equipment and has all the supplies you need is ideal. Make sure you find a company that guarantees quick repair service for breakdown emergencies. A broken conveyor can slow down your production line and you need repairs to be completed as soon as possible.

You need to be able depend on your conveyor belt supplier to keep your business productive. Take the time to research your options to find an experienced conveyor belt company with the services you need and a good reputation. It is worth the investment of time to find the right supplier that will be a partner you can trust as you grow your business.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Dec
10

How to Keep Your Conveyor Belt Running Smoothly

Posted in Conveyor Belts

Nothing can slow down production and distribution centers quicker than a conveyor belt breakdown. Your lines can come to a literal standstill when your conveyor tracking is not right or a belt becomes frayed or worn out. Here are some tips to keep your conveyor belt running smoothly to get the most productivity.

Regular Inspections

Your equipment needs to be regularly inspected to catch issues before they lead to a shutdown of your conveyor belt. Some areas to check daily and throughout the week include:

  • Belt wear
  • Wear on the idler
  • Material buildup
  • Pulley alignment
  • Belt tracking

Cleaning

Keeping your belt, motor and other equipment clean can go a long way in helping to keep your conveyor running. Dirt, debris and product residue can put excess wear on your equipment

Lubrication

Your bearings, rollers and other friction parts need lubrication to prevent wear. Make sure to clean any excess grease or oil from the belt. It is also imperative to use the right grease for the equipment. Check with your manufacturer recommendations.

The Right Belt

The most important part of keeping your conveyor belt running smoothly is getting the right belt for the job. The wrong size, type or fit can cause premature wear and lead to breaks and downtime. Talk to your conveyor belt supplier about getting the right belt for your equipment and use to avoid shutdowns.

Maintenance and conveyor belt servicing is key to preventing downtime on your production floor due to a conveyor shutdown. Keeping up with cleaning, inspections and lubrication can make your belts last longer, reduce energy costs and keeping your line moving for maximum productivity.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Feb
17

What is a Cold Cure Conveyor Repair?

Posted in Conveyor Belts

When the cover or carcass components of a conveyor belt is damaged, replacement is not always necessary. There are repair options available, including a cold cure repair. This option replaces the needed materials and “cold cures” them into place. This can create a seamless repair to the belt to extend the life; it also is a quick solution when you want to limit impact on your production.

There are two methods used to adhere new belt materials for repair: vulcanized and cold cure. Both secure the new materials in place, but each uses a different method. Vulcanized repairs use heat and pressure to repair the belt. Cold cure uses chemicals to complete the repair and is best for repairs to belts that are gouged, worn or have scoring.

Completing a Cold Cure Repair

It is important to have expertise and patience when completing a cold cure conveyor belt repair. The damaged area must be carefully trimmed to remove all the damage and the new patch or replacement material must to cut to match. With cold curing, it is important to have a dry, clean environment to ensure the cement and putty will cure correctly. Once the new section is cemented in place, a roller can be used to smooth the surface. It is important to test the belt on a lower tension at a lower feed rate to ensure the repair will hold before returning to regular operation.

While cold cure repairs can extend the life of your belt, they must be carefully completed to hold. Having a reliable conveyor service company that can repair or replace belts as needed on-call is important to ensure your production line keeps moving.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Apr
5

Improve Your Bottom Line with Conveyor Belt Service

Posted in Conveyor Belts

If you own or run a shipping or manufacturing business, conveyor belts are the lifeline of your enterprise. Moving products from one area to another with speed and consistency is vital to meeting your production goals. One of the costliest mistakes you can make is underestimating the importance of maintenance on your conveyors; a downed belt can cost thousands of dollars in production losses in a short period of time. Improve your bottom line by investing in a conveyor belt maintenance service.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” they say and that is especially true in manufacturing and shipping businesses. Having your production line come to a standstill due to a broken belt or a mechanical issue can quickly become an expensive issue. Regular maintenance and service can prevent most equipment failures and reduce repair costs – well-maintained equipment lasts longer and requires less repairs, saving money in both downtime and replacement costs.

For conveyor belt maintenance, choose a company that has experience in all types of conveyors and has access to the parts needed for service. You can’t afford to wait a week for the right part to be shipped in for repairs. Quality conveyor services not only offer routine maintenance and service but can customize parts as needed, ensuring you keep downtime to a minimum when replacement belts or hoses are needed.

Every business wants to maximize their productivity and reduce excess costs. For manufacturing and shipping businesses that use conveyor belts, choosing the right maintenance and service company can make a big difference in improving the bottom line. Call your local conveyor experts and ask about maintenance plans to prevent equipment failures and unnecessary downtime.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

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