Don’t Make These Common Conveyor Maintenance Mistakes

Don’t Make These Common Conveyor Maintenance Mistakes

Conveyors, like other machines, make work simpler, easier and efficient. They save a lot of time and energy. Conveyor belts are cost-effective, faster, and efficient.  Plus, paying close attention to the efficiency of your conveyor is important. In particular, you should avoid making the following mistakes when conducting maintenance for your conveyor system. Keep reading!

Not Performing Regular Inspections

Do you have a conveyor belt in your company? Well, it’s time you consider performing regular inspections. While the equipment is running, check the floor area for dust-like shavings. Their presence could signal that the belt has misaligned and isn’t tracking properly.

It also means that it’s quickly wearing and will soon get damaged. Carrying out regular inspections will help you identify potential faults and familiarize your employees about the equipment they’re using.

Failure to Keep Maintenance Records

A log should be placed near the conveyor system with information regarding the types of maintenance procedures that have been performed on the machine. This will make it easier for the employees to track the equipment’s performance and troubleshoot any potential dangers. Plus, it will significantly minimize the occurrence of hazardous incidents. And this can be particularly useful in companies where there are multiple shifts. If an issue ever arises with the manufacturer, a maintenance record can strongly support your case.

Not Checking Temperatures

A temperature rise indicates that there’s an overload. You could be utilizing the conveyor belt for the wrong materials, or an inappropriate conveyor system has been pressed into service. Plus, replacing a malfunctioned motor during production causes unnecessary delays.

Violating the OSHA Standards

Do your conveyors have appropriate chain guards? Have the pans underneath your conveyor belt been removed? Do you have the necessary safety equipment been reinstalled? If not, then you’re making a terrible mistake. Remember, injuries are expensive. So, be wary. Always exercise caution when handling heavy machinery. As a company manager, you need to prioritize the safety of your employees. And the only way you can do this is by adhering to the OSHA standards.

Inadequate Maintenance Coverage

To minimize overhead expenses, most companies hire a few maintenance technicians. And when they go on vacation, there might be no coverage. This in turn increases the occurrence of conveyor breakdowns. So, be sure to hire an experienced conveyor service person. He or she will be responsible for carrying out periodic inspections when in-house maintenance personnel isn’t available.

Lack of Key Components

A small conveyor belt is never complete without key components, like bearings, motors, and shaft couplings. These items should be kept at hand whenever operating a conveyor system. Thus, be sure to survey your equipment and create a list of essential components with part numbers.

Not Making Quick Fixes

Frequent breakdowns are an indication that something is wrong. And for you to maximize production, you need to perform quick fixes to get the line moving. If you keep experiencing breakdowns, it’s time you consider investigating the underlying problem and getting it fixed as soon as possible.  

Switching Scanners Unprofessionally

Different scanners are programmed for different purposes. So, be careful not to switch scanners anyhow. Without proper surge protection, lightning strikes can knock out the device’s control unit. And for you to fix this, you’ll need to carry out costly emergency repairs.

Utilizing the Conveyor for the Wrong Purpose

Make sure that the conveyor is being utilized for its intended purpose. Don’t place large items on a narrow conveyor belt. Doing this will subject the conveyor to unnecessary stress and wear. And eventually, this might lead to a breakdown.

Check All Areas

Don’t avoid those inaccessible areas. The difficult places to maneuver are breeding grounds for costly repairs and operational issues. These are the places where you find loose, as well as, sprocket-set screws. Thus, be sure to inspect the hidden areas regularly.

Working With an Unskilled Labor Force

Make sure that you have a skilled labor force. Failing to train your employees can lead to unnecessary maintenance costs. By knowing how to diagnose maintenance issues, your employees will play a significant role in minimizing problems and optimizing production.

Manufacturing Uses

Conveyors are commonly used for transporting materials into processing equipment. When utilized appropriately, these conveyors can significantly boost production.

Conveyors are typically designed to move products. They’re commonly utilized in the manufacturing industry for this purpose. And this is often achieved through a chain of assembly. Whether you run light or heavy-duty applications, you can always find the perfect conveyor for your needs.

Conveyor systems can either transport products in a straight line or through directional changes. The belt is designed to provide controlled movement of the materials. And they’re available in different sizes. The systems used to run these belts usually operate in varying speed ranges.

With conveyor belts, you can rest assured that your company’s productivity will be optimized. In the food industry, for instance, conveyor belts are utilized for delivering the product to the cooking zone or sealing equipment, and then off to packaging.

Key Takeaway

Most companies haven’t realized the importance of incorporating conveyor systems into their production line. And those who’ve already installed conveyors in their manufacturing plant don’t know how to take good care of them. It’s only until they witness a major breakdown that they start carrying out repairs. And this stops production and renders employees idle. Plus, shipments are delayed and customers become disappointed. Conveyor systems are a critical component of your company’s distribution system. So, don’t ignore it. Always make sure that it’s in great shape.

The Bottom-Line

Efficiency. Cost-effectiveness. Speed. These are the biggest benefits of using a conveyor belt in your company or warehouse. However, poor maintenance can cost you dearly. Mistakes like lack of regular inspections, not keeping maintenance records, and not observing OSHA safety-based standards can make your conveyor system highly inefficient. That’s why you should avoid making the above mistakes when maintaining your conveyor system. These are the mistakes that can cost your conveyor system.