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Are your conveyor belts failing prematurely? Most issues with conveyor belts are caused by their environment, running conditions, and lack of routine maintenance. Here are five questions to consider if your process is having belt failure issues, and how to mitigate them: 

1. ARE YOUR BELTS GETTING ENOUGH SUPPORT?

Many times, a conveyor belt will move from its original position and end up under a belt joint. When the belt joints meet the supports, you can expect a premature belt failure.  

Watch video on how to setup conveyor belt supports: https://youtu.be/Iq59K7o819A 

2. HAVE YOU CHECKED THE TRANSFER ROLLERS?

The static nose bar should have grooves for the belt joints and a rotating transfer sleeve. Make sure the transfer diameter is appropriate for the belt mesh being used. Each mesh requires a specific transfer diameter, if a transfer is too small for the mesh used, it will cause premature belt failure.

Watch video on how to setup conveyor belt transfer rollers: https://youtu.be/WRPkrravzKs 

3. ARE YOUR SPROCKETS IN THE PROPER POSITION ON THE DRIVE?

Sometimes the residue from the processes can make it difficult to see the sprockets. The sprockets need to be in the proper position and not come into contact with the belt joints.  Vibrations from the conveyor can cause the set screws to loosen in the sprockets and they can move across the shaft causing a belt failure.

Watch video on how to setup a conveyor belt drive: https://youtu.be/1ASOCJwWe5I 

4. ARE YOUR BELTS TENSIONED CORRECTION?

A conveyor belt may be failing prematurely because it’s over tensioned. You only need to use enough tension to engage the drive sprockets. Too much tension will cause additional wear, leading to premature belt failure.

Watch video on how to tension a conveyor belt drive: https://youtu.be/wM9JTVJ6qpI 

5. IS YOUR BELT JOINED CORRECTLY?

When belts are joined together improperly or in haste, many times it leads to belt breakdown. Joining a belt can be a time consuming and tedious task, however, if correctly done the life of the belt greatly increases. 

Watch video on how to install single space joining clips: https://youtu.be/KqUTbF5sQYA 

Watch video on how to install three space joining clips: https://youtu.be/27oihppopT8

If you have questions on conveyor belt maintenance, you can contact our technical service department directly at support@wirebelt.com or call us at 603-644-2500. You can also view our YouTube page where you can find an entire playlist of Maintenance Training and How-To videos available to you 24/7.

You can also read about the benefits of hygienic conveyors for more informative content on our products.