10 frequently asked questions about conveyor systems

A conveyor is a mechanical part of material handling equipment used to transport materials between different points. There are many types of conveyors that can redirect products in multiple directions, all of which are predefined paths.

If you are considering purchasing a conveyor system for your facility, you probably have a few conveyor questions in mind. For example, how exactly will your facility benefit from a conveyor system? Or how will you deal with conveyor repair? You may also want to determine the type of conveyor system that best suits your business applications. Join us to learn about conveyor systems and find answers to your questions.
 

What is a conveyor system?

A conveyor is a mechanical part of material handling equipment used to transport materials between different points. There are many types of conveyors that can redirect products in multiple directions, all of which are predefined paths.

Conveyor belts are used in the industrial, commercial, retail and agricultural and mining sectors. In addition, conveyors are making inroads into the hotel and construction sectors.
 

Top 10 frequently asked questions about conveyor systems

To answer your questions and give you a conveyor system overview at the same time, here are 10 conveyor system questions answered.

1 - What are the advantages of the conveyor system?

Despite the upfront costs, conveyor belts offer several benefits:

- Reduce labor costs:
Conveyor systems are more efficient than forklifts, trolleys or manual conveyers. They also reduce the number of people needed to move a certain item. Therefore, you will spend less labor to transport the goods.

- Higher throughput:
The constant movement of a conveyor system can certainly increase the number of items delivered for any given operation. This will help your facility meet production deadlines and quotas with ease.

- Efficient use of floor space:
Conveyor systems can be mounted on the floor, on the ceiling and on different floors of your facility. There are also vertical conveyors that can move items from one level to the next. Lay out your system properly and you'll free up floor space. Your only limit will be the height of your base.

- Fewer errors:
The standardization and grading capabilities of your conveyor system can streamline your operations by cutting down on rework and errors.

- Controlled speed:
You can increase or decrease the speed of goods moving along your assembly line with the use of a conveyor system. Use this to create a work buffer for stable production with minimal downtime or waste.

- Increased safety:
Install a conveyor system in your facility and you will be able to reduce forklift traffic on site. Your employees will no longer have to lift objects and stress themselves as much.

- Flexibility:
Depending on the specific equipment, a conveyor system can reverse direction, change height, or rotate items. You can also use conveyors to receive and return goods.

2 - How do I choose a suitable conveyor system?

You will choose between systems with custom solutions built from the ground up. The system brings the following benefits to companies:

- More cost-effective
- Easier and faster installation
- Many features by default
- Less risk for personnel lacking in-depth technology knowledge

However, custom solutions also have their own strengths:

- Suitable for each facility
- Competition due to customization
- Can be installed in stages (ie essential first, accessory later)
- Easy to extend and adapt

After deciding whether you will invest in a turnkey or custom solution, you will need to choose a specific type of conveyor system. Here are some questions to guide the selection of the right conveyor belt:

- What will the conveyor system be used for?
Will it simply ship goods, move items through sterilization processes, or sort finished goods? Your answer to this question will affect the type of conveyor your facility needs.

- What materials will be shipped?
Will you be shipping grain or fresh produce? The specific items you will be shipping will determine if you need special straps.

- How powerful must the engine be?
If you are transferring heavy loads or transporting goods at higher speeds, you will need a powerful conveyor system motor.

- Do I have floor space for a certain type of conveyor system?
Make sure that even with a new conveyor system, there will still be room for other processes in your facility.

3 - How often should I check my conveyor system?

Ideally, you should test your conveyor system at the start and end of each shift. Walk around and do a visual check while letting the system run. Watch for strange noises and vibrations, and pay attention to the condition of working components.

4 - Which conveyor system components need the most attention?

Consider the following conveyor components:

- Bearings:
They often wear out due to heat. If a bearing is hot to the touch, it needs servicing. In addition, if it lacks grease on inspection, the bearing needs to be greased.

- Belt:
Regularly check that your belts and chains have the proper tension to work properly. Clear stuck debris. Repair belt if less than 25% of its width is damaged. However, if a large part of the belt is torn or burned, you will need to replace it.

- Magnetic sliding bed:
An easy way to check for dents on a magnetic slide conveyor is to place a long straight edge on the surface. At first glance, you can also see prints or dents on the shoes. Other signs of damage are loud banging noises during conveyor operation. This sound comes from the magnets under the bed hitting the dents as they move.

- Engine cover:
Debris often accumulates on the engine housing. Regularly remove the covers.

- Engine:
A hot engine should still operate, while an overheated motor should be replaced. This component tends to fail without warning, but you can detect the smell of an overheating engine and replace it soon.

In some cases, the sound or vibration of conveyor belts in operation can cause underlying problems.

5- How long is the usage time of a conveyor belt?

The lifespan of your conveyor belt will depend on your application location. Conveyor systems in harsh environments may need to be replaced more quickly. On the other hand, belts can last more than 10 years under ideal operating conditions and with proper maintenance.

6 - How do I integrate a conveyor system into my existing operations?

By providing necessary information to the conveyor supplier, such as floor plans of the facility and specifications of existing equipment. Provide as much detail as possible to ensure a smooth integration.

7 - What are the most common problems with conveyor systems?

Conveyor systems can be affected by two main problems, both of which are easy to fix:

- Lack of foresight:
A poorly planned conveyor system will not be able to adapt to changes, process interruptions or new products. When choosing a conveyor system, be sure to include scalability.

- Poor maintenance:
Even the best systems will quickly break down if they are not well maintained. New personnel should know how to take care of the system and use it properly.

8 - How do I know if a conveyor system should be repaired or replaced?

Different companies will have different answers to this question. Some companies base their decisions on costs. For example, they will often replace the entire system if the repair exceeds 60-70% of the replacement cost. Others prioritize delivery time, choosing repair if they can't wait more than a month for replacement delivery.

You'll have to figure out what's right for your company. Start by determining whether you will put more weight on cost or implementation time. Then determine your threshold from there.

9 - How to handle the repair?

Follow these steps if your conveyor system needs repair:

- Find out the extent of the damage:
This will give you a rough idea of ​​how much time and resources the repair will take. A small tear in the belt can certainly be repaired faster than damage from a forklift crash. Consult with conveyor system experts in the Philippines for a more detailed assessment.

- Check your budget:
Do you have enough money for repairs? If not, try tapping into insurance and loans to cover costs in the meantime.

- Ask if supplies are available:
Your system's downtime will increase if supplies or equipment for repair still need to be shipped.

- Prepare bypass methods:
You may need to hire a replacement conveyor system to continue production despite repairs.

- Hire experts:
Although third-party specialists are an option, you should also ask your supplier  if they have a dedicated repairman available.

10 - How do I choose a reputable and professional conveyor system supplier?

There are many conveyor system suppliers in Vietnam today, but you'll want to make sure you're working with an industry expert. Here are some factors to consider:

- In-depth knowledge:
Find a conveyor system supplier that knows what they're doing. In addition to providing top-notch service, an insightful supplier can even direct you to rising trends related to the production line.

- Technical support available
You can contact the best suppliers in Vietnam whenever you need. They will also have ongoing 24/7 support technicians.

- Experience in your industry
Has your supplier worked with other companies in your industry? If so, they will know exactly what to do for your facility. They will also be able to advise you on the conveyor system problems you will encounter the most.

- Training experience:
This equips your staff with the skills they need to handle repair jobs quickly and train new employees with ease. It is also a good sign of a reliable supplier in Vietnam.
 

Ending

Anything beyond the basics will now depend on the specific equipment you will be installing in your facility. If you want to dive into the techniques, it's best to ask an industry expert who has personally dealt with conveyor systems.

Intech Group has been providing advanced technical equipment and services to customers in Vietnam for more than 10 years. Contact us today, and our experts can answer the rest of your conveyor system questions.
 

A conveyor is the critical lifeline that keeps your production moving — just like the veins in your body. It is just as vital to know the system you’re purchasing will meet or exceed your requirements, that it is built for longevity and that it can withstand the environment of your operation — perhaps even saving an expensive retrofit afterward.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

To help, George Packard, an account manager for Multi-Conveyor, has answered the following list of questions about conveyor construction that most people may not know — but they should.

1. Can a new conveyor or section be bolted into an existing conveyor to change its shape or layout?

Of course. Multi-Conveyor can bend metal into just about any shape needed and can manufacture curves or straight sections to modify your existing line if an accurate cross-section can be provided.

2. What plastics are used?

Multi-Conveyor exclusively uses FDA-approved plastics for our wear and guiding materials. The type of plastic used is application specific, but low friction UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) and NOLU-S (UHMW with additional solid lubricant molded in) are commonly used to decrease chain drag friction and prolong the life of the equipment.

3. What fasteners are used?

By default Multi-Conveyor uses standard SAE stainless steel hardware and shafting on all of its conveyors, even if they are going into a dry environment. This value-add minimizes the risk of accidentally using rustable components on sanitary projects, and it provides peace of mind that fasteners and shafting will be removed rust-free in the future should a major repair be needed.

4. What are shaft cutouts?

We’ve listened to our customers and know how much of a pain removing and re-installing a drive or idle shaft can be. Multi-Conveyor's answer was to standardize a proactive design that allows the maintenance technician to remove the chain, unbolt the bearings from the frame, and lift the entire shaft out of the conveyor for repair or replacement. Other conveyor manufacturers simply have a hole in the side of their frames forcing the technician to remove all of the sprockets in order to slide the shaft out — which is time consuming and frustrating, especially on wider conveyors.

5. Chain, belt … what’s the difference?

Conveyor lingo varies from company to company by individual, but some broad definitions still apply. Chain typically refers to a conveyor surface material that is positively driven and robust. Examples vary from simple #50 roller chain to tabletop chain like 882. Belts typically refer to a flexible continuous sheet material (typically with a canvas or plastic core) that can be sourced with some type of splice mechanism. They can be friction or positively driven and may require tracking. Modular plastic belts consist of a series of molded plastic blocks that are “bricklayed” to form the required width and assembled with plastic pins. There are pros and cons of each type. Multi-Conveyor will discuss the benefits of each option up front to ensure the best recommendation.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Langnuo Mining Equipment sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

6. When is stainless steel appropriate?

Stainless steel conveyors are used in many industries such as foods, beverage liquid filling, pharmaceuticals, chemical or where corrosive resistance is required. In comparison to lower-cost painted mild steel, stainless may cost a few extra dollars, but the ROI is quickly realized in labor savings (maintenance) and maximum environmental compatibility including high heat, sanitation for agency compliance, withstanding chemical exposures, etc.

7. What type of stainless steel should I consider?

The industry standard is Type 304 for conveyor frames and bolt-on accessories. This metal offers broad-spectrum corrosion resistance and is cost-effective. Type 316 is another commonly used alloy that offers increased corrosion resistance in high chlorine environments.

8. What design features should be considered for ease of maintenance?

Ground or polished continuous welds, easily removable NTR (no tool required) components, agency-approved belting, and an open design to allow greater operator access are a few. We follow industry guidelines to ensure the proper sanitary specifications are met.

9. What’s the best method to clean stainless steel conveyors?

Stainless steel conveyors are designed to be pressure washed or CIP (clean in place) or even simply wiped down with basic water or mild detergents. Chemical cleaners or other specific cleaning methods are at the discretion of the customer.

10. Can MDR conveyors be used in a wet environment?

Absolutely! Unique Stainless Steel MDR (Motor Driven Rollers) conveyors are available for both direct washdown and general damp duty usage. Washdown rated 24-v DC motors and controllers allow simplified installations and reduced power consumption. Multi-Conveyor can also provide a motorized drum pulley configured for plastic modular belts or urethane slider bed belt conveyors.

Multi-Conveyor adds that there are two other common considerations that you should ask your conveyor manufacturer upfront:

• commonality of replacement parts for immediate availability
• a modular configuration for future expansion

One final piece of advice from Packard: maintain your due diligence. “Don’t let price and quick delivery take over as your focal point,” he says. “When comparing conveyor systems or bid quotes, make sure they're equivalent in construction, performance, safety, ease of maintenance and built for longevity. On the surface conveyors may appear to be fundamentally comparable. It’s up to you to learn the difference.”

Are you interested in learning more about Industrial Conveyor Rollers? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!