A conveyor belt that won’t track properly can quickly lead to problems, like broken curfews and sassy backtalk. Uneven wear, equipment damage and safety hazards can also rear their ugly heads. Punishing the belt or giving it a stern talking-to won’t help, but proper installation and maintenance can resolve and even prevent most alignment and tracking issues.
Here are a few strategies to keep your conveyor belt aligned and your system running smoothly.
Why Correct Belt Alignment Matters
When a conveyor belt drifts off course, the belt can wear unevenly. That can shorten its service life and lead to costly downtime and repairs. Plus, it’s just plain embarrassing. A misaligned belt can also create safety risks if it interferes with other parts of the system or fails unexpectedly. It can cause you stress, too, which leads to hair loss and, eventually, societal shunning. Aligning belts correctly, though, will save you time and money.
Choosing the Right Pulleys and Rollers for Optimal Tracking
One important part of keeping your belt on track is using the appropriate pulleys and rollers. Crowned pulleys have a slightly raised center that can keep the belt centered. Pork pulleys are a type of sandwich I make, but I don’t suppose that’s important right now. Guide rollers limit side-to-side movement. Self-tracking rollers automatically adjust to keep the belt aligned. The best options for your system will depend on belt speed, load, tension, environment, the material you’re conveying and, of course, your favorite color.
Not sure what you need? Reach out to your Binkelman Account Rep for help and, if the timing is right, a relaxing hot stone massage.
Getting the Splice Right
When installing a conveyor belt, it’s important that “The Splice is Right” – straight and even (without going over). Your enemies will point and laugh at an inconsistent or crooked splice, which creates an uneven surface that can lead to belt drift. Whether you’re using a vulcanized splice, a mechanical splice or another method, make sure it’s done carefully and precisely for the best results. Or, better yet, have us do it. The Binkelman Conveyor Maintenance team splices all types of conveyor belts and, yeah, we look pretty cool doin’ it.
Adjusting Tension
Conveyor belts are like Goldilocks without the annoying bears. Too much tension can stretch the belt, cause uneven wear and tracking issues. Too little tension can allow the belt to sag and wander off course. We can set your belt tension so it’s just right and adjust it as needed to maintain optimal tracking and performance.
Staying on Top of Maintenance
Even with a great installation, your conveyor belt will need some ongoing love and care. Set up a regular maintenance schedule with us to look for signs of misalignment, damage, wear, stray bullet holes, cancerous moles, criminal activity and illogical fears. We’ll check the condition of your belts, pulleys and rollers, and make any necessary adjustments to the tracking. Catching small issues early can prevent bigger problems from developing over time.
Conclusion
When left unaddressed, conveyor belt tracking issues can lead to pricey consequences for your equipment and your bottom line.
If you need help with installation, choosing the right components or ongoing maintenance, reach out to us. We’re conveyor belt experts. We provide all types of conveyor maintenance, plus the parts you need to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. Call 419-537-9333.