Preventative maintenance is vital in any business. This is even more important with conveyors as they are constantly working to keep your business moving seamlessly. Any halt in this flow can mean decreased output and this could lead to a loss of business. Preventative maintenance means any possible niggles can be fixed before they can evolve to a bigger problem.
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Tip One:
Safety stocks are vital for machinery and conveyor health. Have critical spares on hand and order new ones when these are used. Safety stocks are incredibly useful if, and when a conveyor or conveyor system breaks down. Eventually, your mechanical parts will fail, so you need to be ready for this to reduce any downtime. To help reduce overall costs, make sure high quality parts are sourced. The cheapest product isn’t necessarily the lowest cost option.
Tip Two:
Make sure your Maintenance Technician team is prepared, trained and effective. A well trained and strong preventive maintenance team will spot, repair and document small problems before it’s too late, reducing downtime – the overall goal of a preventative maintenance program.
Tip Three:
Construct an Audit and Documentation Pattern. This plan needs to be implemented for daily, weekly and monthly practices. In most cases, the audits within your documentation schedule will reveal issues so they can be fixed before they become troublesome. Check out our Dynocare booklet here for a full outline on daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual care of your conveyors.
Tip Four:
Pay attention to Safety Measures. When a conveyor or conveyor system is not in operation, it should be switched off. Best practice is to disconnect the machine for maintenance. However, if upkeep needs to be performed while equipment is operating, each team member needs to be competent in appropriate procedures and protocols, and safety must is paramount.
Tip Five:
Examine Controls and Wiring. At least once a week your conveyor and/or conveyor system’s controls should be given a comprehensive inspection for structural decline, defective electrical connections and overall quality. Any problems found need to be noted and repaired. Disconnect the conveyor or conveyor system, and then conduct the inspection. Your maintenance team should avoid loose wires, and needs to conduct deeper maintenance for any located.
Tip Six:
Motors and gearboxes should be examined regularly. Any machines with lubricant leakage detected should be investigated and the conveyor system’s oil levels need to be checked. Add oil or grease if needed, and check from the supplier which lubricant to use. Don’t overfill.
Tip Seven:
Once a week (after maintenance) your conveyor or conveyor system should be cleaned. During cleaning, remove any accumulated debris beneath the conveyor system’s surface and remove any labels stuck on rollers or the belt. This ensures optimal running and efficiency of your conveyors.
Tip Eight:
Pulley, Bearing and Roller Examination. Have your maintenance team listen for any odd noises while the conveyor is in operation. Tighten any grub-screws which are loose, and check if any parts need replacing.
Tip Nine:
Once the bearings, pulleys and rollers have been checked, your team needs to examine the actual belt for any damage. Belt examination is an important examination your team does, and it’s vital to your conveyor system’s continued use. Belts include mini-v belts and roller drive bands etc.
Tip Ten:
Examine the Mounting Bolts. All drive motors should be checked, too. Check the conveyor system’s hold-down and stand bolts to make sure the machine is fastened and safe.
