Belt conveyors are one of the important material handling equipment used in various industries. As the name suggests, these conveyors are equipped with conveyor belts which act as a transferring or conveying medium. These belts are powerful enough to carry products over large distances at varying speeds. Conveyor belts are also used for inclining and declining applications. With such a key role to play, it becomes important to ensure that these belt conveyors perform as expected. At times, however these conveyor belts may break down in the middle of a production. In such cases, ordering new conveyor belts may be time consuming and only a timely repair can help.
It is important to ensure that the repair is conducted in a proper way. This is because a small mistake can lead to disastrous results in production run. There are certain things to be kept in mind to ensure that the repair is performed effectively. This post discusses 4 important things to be considered when repairing a conveyor belt.
4 Factors of Consideration for Repairing a Conveyor Belt
The following questions will help save you from failures during the repair.
1.What is the Nature of the Damage Caused?
The damage can be minor or major; however, it is important that you analyze the same properly. For instance, a minor tear on the belt may not be hazardous and can be easily repaired during scheduled shutdown. However, a large rip along the width of the belt may lead to further damage. It may affect the balance of the belt in the long run. As per common thumb rule, if the rip covers up to 25% of the belt width, then it is repairable, if it is beyond 25% it is always recommended to insert a saddle section or perform re-splicing.
2.Will Temporary Repair Suffice?
Not always. After analyzing the nature of the damage, it is important to analyze how long the belt will perform after a temporary repair. It is important to judge if the belt can withstand the take-up forces or the drive, once its tensile strength is restored. Temporary repairs mostly cover small forms of repair such as replacing or mending with fasteners, as well as holding a scab overlay using elevator bolts or fasteners. Appropriateness and feasibility of the belt repairs will entirely depend on the damages the belt has endured. Their feasibility will decrease, if there are major damages to the belt.
3.Which is the Right Type of Repair for Your Conveyor Belt?
There are several proven techniques of conveyor belt repairs. They include Dutchman, cold cure, vulcanized and metal fasteners. The choice of the right method can be decided after consulting an expert.
4.How Much Time is needed for the Repair?
The load on current conveyor belt needs to be shifted to the adjacent conveyor belt. This can be time consuming, and may affect the productivity of your facility. In such cases, it is important to consider whether you want a replacement or a repair.
The above considerations will make the conveyor belt repair process much easier. In addition to this, it is always better to be equipped with a spare belt conveyor. If you are looking any kind of used conveyor system for your facility, it is important that you buy them from a reputed distributor. JM Industrial is one of the leading distributors of unused and used belt conveyors in the US.
