If you’ve ever dealt with a broken conveyor belt, you know how frustrating (And expensive) downtime can be. Metal belting is a key component in many production lines. Ensuring that it gets the maximum life is key for maintaining your line’s productivity. One common question we get is, “How can I make my belt last longer?”

Within this blog post we will look at a few simple steps that can make a big difference.

Don’t Rush The Splice

Splicing is one of the most critical steps when installing metal belting. A splice is the wire strand that weaves through the wire belt to create a continuous belt circuit, or loop, around the conveyor. If the splice is not done right, your wire conveyor belt can prematurely break.

  • Nearly 90% of wire belt breakages happen due to improperly rushed splicing.
  • When installing a splice, a lot of bending of the wire strand is involved in the process. Bending the wire at or on any of the preformed Z-forms can weaken the splice strand and care should be taken to make sure you are splicing bends away from those forms. You should always use a wire straightening tool when installing a splice. Using a wire straightening tool, you should straighten the splice strand as you go to get the strand back to as close to its original form as possible. This keeps the wire straight and aligned, so the belt engages properly with the drive sprockets and other components.
  • Patience and proper installation pays off. A rushed splice leads to weak joints, misalignment and premature failure. Take a few extra minutes for a proper installation and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble later.

The stronger your splice, the longer your belt circuit will last. Take your time, straighten the wire using a wire straightening tool and make sure everything is secure before firing up your conveyor.

Preventative Maintenance = Fewer Headaches

Think of your metal belting like a car, it needs regular check ups to stay in good shape. Over time, belts wear down, parts shift and components get misaligned. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.

  • Check your system during scheduled downtime. Look for worn out drive components, misaligned parts or damaged parts of your conveyor system that could interfere with the conveyor belt during operation. 
  • Fix small issues before they become big ones. Even a slightly off track belt can cause uneven wear and shorten its lifespan.
  • Be proactive, not reactive. The cost of waiting until something breaks is always higher than regular upkeep.

Want to avoid the most common belt failures? Check out our help center for a breakdown of 12 common causes of conveyor downtime and how to prevent them.

Keep Your Maintenance Team Trained

A well maintained conveyor is only as good as the people taking care of it. If your team isn’t trained in the best practices for maintaining metal belting, small mistakes can turn into big problems. A knowledgeable team is your best defence against breakdowns and downtime.

  • Schedule regular training. Conveyor technology evolves and so do the products running on your belts. Keeping your team informed helps prevent costly errors.
  • Know what to look for. Bearings, components, belts, etc all wear down over time, proper training helps your team catch problems early.
  • Use the right resources. Wire Belt Company offers hands on training sessions and maintenance guides to help your team get the most out of your conveyor system. Our Flat-Flex® support guide is a must have for anyone running a wire conveyor belt system.

Keeping your conveyor belt in top shape doesn’t have to be complicated. Slow down when splicing, stay on top of maintenance and invest in training. These small steps can have a huge impact on reducing downtime, improving efficiency and making your belt last longer.