Repair Tools And Techniques For Loose Or Malformed Conveyor Belts

20 April 2015
 Categories: , Blog


Conveyor belts generally consist of a durable, yet adaptive material designed to bind deftly around a series of "rollers" located within the inner compartment of the belt. The result of this specialist design is consistent and undisturbed motion. Gradual wear and tear, however, can have detrimental effects on the overall condition of a conveyor belt, causing it to become prone to malfunctions or become excessively voluminous in nature. Fortunately for belt owners, maintenance and repair are often relatively simple endeavors; the following are two tools which can be used to assure belt efficiency and supervise its preservation:

Note: Conveyor belt repair is classified as a dangerous and potentially harmful procedure which should not be pursued without first equipping yourself with reliable equipment and ample knowledge.

Belt Cutters

If cross-links in the belt begin to stretch, causing the carrier material as a whole to become loose, transportation of goods can become delayed or even impossible. This problem is typically characterized by a recession in the belt material, where it dips into the cavity between two or more rollers. In particularly extreme cases, goods can even be damaged or destroyed by becoming trapped underneath rollers and being subjected to an inordinate degree of friction.

To fix this problem, you will first need to arm yourself with a specialized blade known as a "Belt Cutter". These cutters are composed of lateral brackets which grip onto the sides of the belt whilst an internal belt cuts in a straight line perpendicular to the conveyor edge. This method is generally preferred over manual cutting with a knife due to its precision, accuracy, and overall consistency. After removing the excess plastic, you can apply fasteners to the separated material to once again connect the belt as one. You will, however, need a skiver to complete this procedure:

Belt Skivers

Belt skivers are bladed rotary machines that separate the upper layer of the belt from the lower, revealing the internal space in the belt material. These are instrumental in re-fastening a frayed or entirely separated portions of a belt, as they grant easy access to belt innards where bolts or staples are required to adhere the material. This procedure is not only useful for connecting material; it can also be used to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing operations. Dust and other sediment that builds up inside the belt can have negative effects on belt speed and consistency, making it difficult to calculate yield. If an unyielding dirt deposit finds its way into a roller, the roller will periodically slow down and speed up again. By opening up the belt itself, you can identify and eliminate the problem before it escalates into something worse. 

For more information, contact a business such as Belle Banne Conveyor Products.


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