Power Conveyors - Quick Check for Maximum Efficiency
Power Conveyors - Quick Check for Maximum Efficiency
Power conveyors are the workhorse and the circulatory system of any packaging system. Individual automatic packaging machines like liquid fillers, capping equipment and labeling machines simply lose a good portion of their efficiency without the power conveyor to quickly and easily deliver the packages, containers or other components. Every step should be taken to ensure that the conveyor system is working to the best of its ability as every other packaging machine on the line is pretty much relying on the consistent performance of the conveyors. A quick pre-production check of the conveyor system on occasion can help prolong the life of the machinery and keep the containers moving.
1. Leveling power conveyors
Proper performance of the packaging line as a whole starts with the proper positioning of the power conveyor system. Even during a production day conveyors can be bumped, jostled or moved, rendering the equipment unlevel. An unlevel conveyor can result in belt slippage, which, over time, can damage other components of the conveyor system. In addition, if the conveyor system is not level, the production day may be halted by increased occurrences of tipped bottles and spilled product. Finally, other machinery may not function properly if containers are not traveling level and a packager may experience cross-threaded caps or crooked labels, for example. A quick check to ensure a level system can save hours of maintenance as well as excessive wear and tear on components.
2. Cleaning product build up and other debris
Debris on conveyor belting can lead to a multitude of issues with the packaging system as a whole. Of course, excessive debris can cause wear and tear to the belt itself and build up in collection areas can wreak havoc on pulleys and other components. Excessive build up can make the motor work overtime as well, if it has to fight against the debris to move the belt! Depending on the product being moved, breaks and cracks in the belt itself can result from debris left on the system. Just like not keeping the conveyor level, the belting issues that arise from the build up of debris can affect the performance of other packaging machinery as well. Cracks or wear on the belting may cause product and packaging to move inconsistently through the packaging line, also resulting in loose caps, inconsistent fills or crooked labeling. Normally, a quick wipe down of the belt and an inspection and cleaning of possible collection areas will keep debris buildup from becoming an issue.
3. Keeping an eye on the belt
Finally, over time the tension of a conveyor belt can lessen, leaving the belt literally hanging from the frame. A loose conveyor belt can cause undue wear on the underside of the belt, while also leading to bad pulley alignment. Like the two concerns discussed above, a loose belt can affect not just the conveyor system but the packaging line as a whole. Simply keeping an eye on the tension can help to avoid belt slippage and the inconsistent performance of the conveyors as a result. In most cases, a small portion of the conveyor belting can easily be removed to increase the tension and keep bottles and other containers moving reliably and consistently.
Depending on the type of conveyor being used on any packaging system, there will likely be other maintenance tasks as well. However, the three simple steps mentioned above can help increase the life and boost the performance of just about any power conveyor by preventing issues before they manifest. For more information the different types of power conveyors manufactured by Liquid Packaging Solutions, visit our Conveyors and Turntables page.