Conveyors have the potential for workers to be safer and more productive than any other piece in manufacturing and inventory management equipment. Conveyors reduce the time and effort required to move finished products, components, packaging, and other items. A conveyor belt malfunction can result in chaos on production floors or warehouses. This can lead to bottlenecking workflow, material piling up, damaged inventory, and even death for workers.
All companies strive to keep production running smoothly and provide safe work environments. It is important to ensure optimal conveyor belt efficiency to achieve these goals. Stalled conveyor systems can be stressful and costly, so it is crucial to do everything you can to keep them moving.
Pre-production belt selection guidelines
You can improve your conveyor efficiency by considering many factors before your plant starts to operate.
Look at the loads your conveyors will transport .The dimensions, size, and other characteristics that the load will carry will affect the selection of the right belt, motor, drive, or hardware for your application. Selection can also be affected based on other factors, such as temperature and materials. First, you should know the differences between regular belting and flexible plastic belting. A good idea is to consult a belt expert to learn about all possible design options.
Take into account the flow rate. Special equipment may be needed to control how quickly and precisely materials must be fed and removed by the conveyor. A conveyor belt hire that moves quickly is important in areas like airport industries and distribution. Fasteners are essential for fast-moving belts. You will also need endless splicing tools, segmented transfer plates, and maintenance equipment.
Learn the requirements for your industry, if you plan to move food and beverages, or pharmaceutical ingredients then material density and hygienic factors must all be taken into account. The FDA-certified conveyor belt will be required in most cases.
Guidelines for choosing conveyor belts for production
It’s worth your time to inspect and maintain conveyor belts. This can save money and help prevent major failures that could spoil products, expose employees to danger, or disrupt production.
Keep it regular Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for daily and weekly inspections of bearings and pulleys. Make sure that your maintenance staff, whether they are internal or external, records each inspection along with the preventative steps taken.
Maintain cleanliness this is important for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, and dairy companies. But all industries can improve their conveyor belt efficiency by regular cleaning and proper lubrication. Cleanliness will lower energy consumption, as well friction and slippage which can reduce the life of motors and rollers. You may find it worthwhile to invest in a clean system.
Replace damaged parts Predictive management can help to prevent catastrophic breakdowns and increase productivity. Bad parts are more likely than good to fail, creating production binds. Not only are they more likely to break, but they can also cause a poor workflow which reduces revenue and profits. It is important to have the right parts or a reliable supplier for conveyor belts to practice preventative maintenance.
Safety and logistics tips
Conveyor systems play an important role in many supplies, distribution, and production chain environments. Organizations must ensure that conveyor belts are properly used and placed to maximize their productivity.
Check and calibrate – They are secure and in good condition. For workers to be able to use conveyors, they must be calibrated. Belts can become disoriented by vibrations, touch with people, handcarts, and other daily working conditions.
Design efficient and safe workstations when your conveyor is used to transport items that are being picked, packed, assembled, assembled, or inspected, ergonomic conditions must also be considered. To make employees more productive and to reduce their risk of injury, design stations that allow them to be more productive. You can improve your employees’ performance by reducing the amount of time they spend bending, reaching, twisting, and reaching. You can adjust the conveyor height to fit your tallest operator. As well, platforms should be made so that shorter workers can also use them. Be sure to make it easy for them to reach the items they need.
Create a safety culture – Instruct your workers to report safety concerns to you and offer suggestions to make their conveyor work more efficient. Make sure that employees are trained on how to stop the conveyor belt in emergencies.
