Conveyor belts are great metaphors for businesses: If they’re not moving forward reliably, it’s a serious problem. When an industrial conveyor belt system functions poorly or fails entirely, it can cause issues throughout your facility. This can include scheduling conflicts, missed deadlines, decreased productivity, and lost revenue. That’s why finding conveyor solutions is critical.
Fortunately, there are signs project coordinators and facility managers can look for in failing conveyor belts. Then, there are ways to address the problems to keep factories running smoothly and keep businesses in business. The key is finding a contractor with expertise in this specialized niche who can safely complete conveyor repairs under tight deadlines.
Common Issues With Industrial Conveyor Belts
Conveyor system performance can degrade over time. Some of the more common issues and their causes and consequences include:
Conveyor belt mistracking
Conveyor systems must track properly to deliver the expected results. Problems like crooked conveyor frames, improper tension from snub rollers, and incorrectly manufactured belts can lead to mistracking. If that occurs, the results can include everything from uneven belt wear and higher replacement costs to system failure. A common indicator of this problem is frayed belt edges.
Conveyor belt slipping
Proper belt tension is crucial for effective system operation. Too much or too little tension can cause slippage and undue strain on belts. Over time, that issue can lead to component damage and system shutdown.The first symptom of belt slippage is often loud squealing or grating noises.
Seized rollers
The metals used in roller construction are strong and durable. But they’re also prone to seizing. When they do, they can develop sharp edges that pose a safety risk for employees. Roller problems can also damage the goods being moved and cause belt tracking issues and system malfunctions. You can spot seized rollers by the abrupt changes in belt movement they cause.
Conveyor belt tears & seam rips
The belts on conveyor systems can be damaged by the materials they transport. That’s true with items that have sharp edges and those that don’t but are heavy and generate friction. Belt tears and rips can lead to shutdowns and loss of productivity. If you see spots where a belt is thinning or fraying, a rupture may be right around the corner.
These and other potential issues are why it’s critical to establish a relationship with an experienced company that offers expert conveyor system services.
Conveyor Solutions to Prevent Costly Repairs
Businesses in a wide variety of industries rely on conveyor solutions to get work done. This includes chemical companies, food and beverage manufacturers, ports, power and energy companies, transportation providers, and many other types of organizations we assist.
Regardless of your industry, these actions can help prevent conveyor belt malfunctions:
- Get regular conveyor maintenance to keep systems optimized and proactively identify potential problems.
- Clean conveyor belts and systems regularly to prevent the buildup of damaging dirt, debris, residues, etc.
- Ensure idlers are running smoothly and end pulleys are even.
- Replace worn pads before they become a problem.
- Ensure belt setup is performed by knowledgeable and experienced workers.
The easiest and most cost-effective time to address conveyor belt malfunctions is before they occur.
Conveyor Belt Maintenance with Coker
You and others at your company probably have long to-do lists. That’s why businesses like yours in many industries turn to Coker for conveyor belt maintenance.
Our knowledge and experience enable us to provide expert conveyor system maintenance services in a timely manner. Just as importantly, our safety certifications and best practices for operating in busy industrial environments help ensure we complete work without incidents.
Our conveyor belt maintenance services cover the full spectrum of system functionality and include:
- Cleaning the system
- Assessing and adjusting belt tracking
- Correcting belt tension and alignment issues
- Checking rollers for damage
- Reviewing machine guard placement
- Checking emergency stop functioning
- Evaluating sensor and photo eyes
- Inspecting electrical and mechanical systems
- And many others
We also perform conveyor repairs as needed.
You can schedule appointments when they’re convenient for your operations, and we work efficiently to minimize system downtime. Or, said another way, we help you maximize uptime!
Keep Your Conveyor System Rolling
Having conveyor belt solutions that deliver maximum performance is essential. It increases productivity and helps you avoid costly part replacements and repairs.
But where do you turn for assistance? Too often, decision-makers spend more money than necessary because they hire a company that has to learn about conveyor systems “on the fly.” You need an experienced partner you trust to keep your conveyor systems functioning correctly. At Coker, we’re experts in conveyor belt repair and conveyor maintenance. Contact us today to discuss your needs and get a quote for services.