Conveyor efficiency can make or break your business. Time is money, and if your conveyors are frequently down, you are cutting into your bottom line. In order to make sure your conveyor systems are up to speed, take a look at these three killers of conveyor efficiency. Use this information to improve your manufacturing process or to make new conveyor system decisions.
1. Conveyor Belt Misalignment
Belting on traditional conveyors can be difficult and time-consuming to install and service, and may also require frequent alignment and costly replacement. PVC belts, such as those used on many standard fixed conveyors, need to be replaced every 18 months. Conveyors with tensionless belts provide good traction, wear, performance and service. Unlike standard conveyors, the self-tracking system doesn’t need continuous tensioning or frequent replacement.
2. Conveyor Energy Consumption
No matter the requirements of the particular conveyor, most conveyor manufacturers use the same large horsepower motor on all of the conveyors they manufacture. Based on each application, the conveyor supplier should utilize the most energy efficient motor, which range from 1/30 HP to 1 HP. Lowering the kilowatts used not only saves money, but reduces the carbon emissions during the making of electricity.
3. Retro-Fitting Conveyors
Utilizing an existing conveyor system that was designed for one process may not fit properly with your new process. Traditional conveyors are inflexible and can’t be modified. Conveyor systems that are reconfigurable enable you to meet your goals now and in the future, regardless of the changes you may need to make to your process.
What to Look for in Conveyor Efficiency
At a minimum, you should expect a conveyor system that runs consistently and does not require a lot of downtime. However, don’t stop there. A conveyor system should increase your productivity. It should be the solution, and not the problem.