Regardless of its purpose, every mechanical system requires some form of maintenance to continue to deliver the efficiency and output organisations want and need. As a leading supplier of conveyor maintenance services, we know that this is especially true when it comes to conveyor belts.
These systems need conveyor maintenance to operate efficiently, streamline movement, prevent malfunctions and minimise downtime amongst other things to ensure the warehouses they serve can prosper.
In essence, conveyor systems are mechanical devices used for the transport of materials. In the modern day, conveyor systems are more sophisticated than ever to ensure materials can be transported with minimal effort and intervention.
Most conveyor belts rely on a complex system of rollers or flat pans, which deliver support to the framed structure and aid movement. The most common construction uses a sandwich belt to secure items during their journey from A to B.
Alongside its rollers or flat pans, you’ll commonly find two or more pulleys or drums. The pulleys are encased in the conveyor belt to allow it to be fed back around the system.
Pulleys can be either powered or unpowered. Last but not least is the conveyor system’s driving unit. This vital component provides the power the wider conveyor system needs to function and enables smooth, continuous movement. The direction of the belt is also controlled via the driving unit.
Each and every component mentioned above is subject to routine, preferably pre-planned conveyor system maintenance. A fact that makes selecting a suitable conveyor system in the first place particularly important.
Your conveyor system should be compatible with the size, weight, dimensions and characteristics of your desired load. Your preferred flow rate and any additional industry-specific requirements should also be major considerations when selecting your conveyor belt system and judging its short and long-term conveyor maintenance schedule.
The conveyor maintenance plan for a system that serves a glass processing factory will differ dramatically from the schedule called upon by a bread plant. Every plant’s maintenance needs are unique, and understanding these prerequisites early will guarantee that your chosen conveyor maintenance services deliver the best possible outcomes.
Whilst every system needs its own specific schedule, there are some general conveyor maintenance tips every plant manager or operative should be aware of.
One of the first and most obvious conveyor maintenance tips we can give you is to continually check for visual signs of damage. There are a number of tell-tale signs that say it’s time to revisit or action your conveyor system maintenance plan, whether you are visually inspecting the conveyor belt itself or its covers.
Each will show its own signs of wear, such as fraying on conveyor belts or loose components on plastic modular belts. Spotting these signs early and acting fast will help you repair or replace the affected component while avoiding failure and associated downtime.
Mistracking is a conveyor belt problem that our conveyor maintenance services commonly encounter. Mistracking can be caused by the belt being fitted at an incorrect tension or the presence of debris, but thankfully it can be easily fixed with routine conveyor system maintenance.
By monitoring the tracking of your belting systems and realigning regularly as part of your conveyor maintenance schedule, you can lower the risk of wear, improve service life, and uphold the highest standards of efficiency.
Whilst we’re on the subject of service life, keeping a close eye on the belt’s lifespan is another must during self-inspection. Conveyor belt lifespans may differ depending on the plant and its line. In the meat sector, for example, selected belts are changed every shift. Whilst in the logistics industry, you can expect belts to last up to 10 years with the right conveyor maintenance.
You should be aware of the expected lifespan of your specific belts. If it’s showing signs of diminished service life with increased wear or multiple mechanical problems, it may be time to step up your maintenance schedule.
Predictive maintenance is certainly the way forward for the processing plants and warehouses that rely on conveyor systems to do what they do best.
By making system audits a part of your routine, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot and document potential faults, and find the appropriate solutions before parts have the chance to break.
By avoiding failures, you can keep efficiency high and downtime low to ensure optimal output throughout your organisation. During conveyor system audits, you can inspect various components, including the belt bearings and pulleys, and pave the way for preventative actions that allow you to conduct repairs and replacements on your terms.
Alongside daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly system audits (the frequency of audits will vary from system to system), a regularly administered and reviewed sanitation plan is recommended. The right sanitation plan will ensure belts are cleaned with suitable solvents and re-tensioned appropriately to prevent issues and extend the lifespan of the belt.
Having the old or spare conveyor parts you need to hand in is another essential conveyor maintenance tip that could save you and your chosen provider of conveyor maintenance services a lot of hassle! By back stocking spares in-house, you’ll have the supplies you need to avoid failures, whenever disaster strikes. With the right spare parts and belts, you can make emergency repairs as and when they are needed to get things moving once again.
An expect can provide regular, reliable schedules to keep you operational for longer as well as deliver reactive support services to help minimise downtime further.
By scheduling pre-planned, preventative maintenance, you can harness the assurance you need from your conveyor belt system so you can continue to deliver a high standard of service to your own customers.
While there are many conveyor maintenance tips that can be actioned through pre-production selection and self-inspection, enlisting the help of a conveyor maintenance expert is integral to preventative maintenance success.
Alongside self-inspection and regular audits, your maintenance technician can assess your conveyor system maintenance needs on your behalf. They’ll also be on hand to identify the essential and potential works needed to improve productivity, minimise disruption and help your equipment last even longer.
There are many benefits that go hand-in-hand with conveyor system maintenance management. With regular, routine conveyor maintenance, you will be better placed and prepared to address issues that may cause catastrophic failure and downtime. You’ll also be taking steps to slow the rate of wear and extend the service life of a mechanical device that is central to the success of your operations.
Regular, pre-planned conveyor system maintenance saves organisations of all sizes and niches time and money. Replacing or repairing stalled conveyor systems can be particularly costly. With professional conveyor system maintenance management, however, you can remedy problems before they become more expensive to fix, disruptive issues. Less downtime means greater output and higher profits for the wider organisation.
Conveyor maintenance does more than improving efficiency and aid workflow, it protects your workers. Correctly maintained conveyor systems provide safer workstations for your staff.
Looking to reap the many rewards of professional conveyor system maintenance management? Look no further than Joloda Conveyor Services.
We deliver unrivalled pre-planned conveyor maintenance and asset management plus the speedy, hassle-free support you need when your conveyor system does break down. By planning ahead with our help and our fully comprehensive conveyor system maintenance packages, you can be proactive in protecting the ongoing performance of your equipment.
We’re ready and waiting to understand your network, plan a schedule that is unique to you, put that conveyor maintenance plan into action, and review your requirements so your conveyor system can continue to deliver the efficiency you deserve.
Here at Joloda Conveyor Services, our fully accredited service is delivered nationwide by more than 100 qualified mechanical and electrical engineers, all of which have the skills and experience to boost your performance. Our call centre is also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure minimal downtime even when your conveyor belt systems require emergency repair.
Each and every one of our conveyor maintenance services begins with an assessment. to find out more about our conveyor maintenance services, visit our Let's Chat page or request your free Conveyor Assessment.
We are a unique service provider, focused 100% on repairs, maintenance and refurbishment of conveyor systems. Our team of conveyor carers are experts because they are not distracted by lots of additional bolt-on services; when your equipment needs attention, we’ll fix it and get you back operational as quickly as possible.
Learn more About Us and how we can help to keep your, and the nation's conveyors rolling.
