How to Increase Conveyor Longevity
12th October 2019
It’s important to know when to pull the trigger on replacement. But if you specify the right conveyors, use them in the right applications, use quality components and maintain your system, you can get the most from your investment for the longest period of time.
Conveyors specified for the application last longer
Conveyors that aren’t suitable for the job either won’t do it well or won’t do it long, or both.
When any machine is asked to do things beyond its design, stresses and strains will reduce its lifespan. Your conveyors should be specified correctly not just for the load you have today, but also for potential loads the system might have to convey down the line. Designing for future growth is crucial for e-commerce operations that experience changes in picking patterns and SKU mix. Well-designed conveyors correctly balance loads and don’t create instances of stress on any part of the system. Drives that overheat or over-torque are under undue stress that can cause critical failures.
Most importantly, the wrong conveyor in the wrong application won’t offer the efficiency you need, even if it continues to work.
Using inferior components means shorter lifespans
conveyor parts and components
There are plenty of high-quality conveyors on the market, and they all accept a variety of components and spare parts from a number of sources. Most conveyor manufacturers build their systems with a specific size and type of reducer or chain or belt or pulley in mind. Make certain that you replace existing items with the right components that meet manufacturer specifications. Good components cost more, but they pay off in the end, not only with longer life, but with less downtime and fewer repairs to the system.
The savings on low-quality components are meager compared to their effect on longevity and reliability.
FROM:Cisco-Eagle