How to Improve Conveyor Belt Efficiency

August 18,2023

“Efficiency” is the phrase commonly mentioned by experts in the manufacturing industry. Optimizing supply chain processes and management is crucial. People have less level of patience

Maximizing the throughput is the most efficient way to meet and gratify the instant market demand. When firms fail to meet the demand, they have a higher chance of losing customers and business opportunities.

Typically, the bottleneck occurs in the supply chain, which relies on the functional conveyor system in the facility. Any breakdown affects the entire supply chain process, thus influencing the rise/fall of the profitability trend line.

Conveyor Belt is the sole decision maker of all production processes. Conveyor Modular Belt efficiency reflects the efforts put in to maximise profit.

Primary Elements

Certain factors have to be considered in improving the conveyor efficiency. Starting from the type of conveyor belt to the assembled bolts, deliver its significance in the cumulative performance of the conveyor system.

Let us know about the best practices to improve the efficiency.

Conveyor Belt

The conveyor belt has a vital role to play in the improvement of conveyor efficiency. The belt has direct contact with the materials that are to be conveyed.

The material type preferred in the fabrication of modular belt conveyors decides the level of friction between the belt and conveying products. Hence, choosing the belt with less ant-skid properties results in a performance dip when conveying the glossy product.

The availability of space decides the flow of the conveyor belt. In most cases, there will be rise and fall of the heights, hard turns, and elevation angle, which a conveyor belt is equipped with.

Choosing the right conveyor belt minimizes the chances of product free-fall during transfer. The product material type has to be considered a prime factor when preferring the conveyor belt system to improve efficiency.

Regular Maintenance

Negligence and ignorance of periodic maintenance lead to more significant loss. Missing out to keep track of the conveyor belt maintenance results in a complete breakdown. The entire supply chain operations collapse.

As a result, the firm incurs great losses. Uncertainties happen, and they cannot be avoided. Regular maintenance of the conveyor system helps identify possible breakdowns and functional inefficiencies.

Therefore, the chances of efficiency dips can be sorted out even before it is significantly about to take place. Typically, firms intentionally miss out on practising regular maintenance as it sets the idle time.

But, the actual fact is that the idle time of the modular conveyor system due to routine maintenance is significantly much lower than due to system breakdown.

Looking to cut short the maintenance time costs in the form of great loss and lesser productivity.

Be sure to stick with the planned maintenance to improve the efficiency of the modular conveyor system.

System Parts and Accessories

The efficiency of the conveyor system relies on the parts, motors, and electronic components preferred in constructing a modular conveyor belt.

Operating costs are another influential factor determining the conveyor system efficiency. During the product transfer, the conveying product adds load to the belt.

The motor preferred has to enable the conveyor operation at the predefined speed to transfer the complete product volume. When the electronic components are inefficient to transfer, the desired throughput capacity cannot be achieved.

Therefore, the conveyor system incurs additional costs due to overheads.

The electronic systems integrated have to be preferred that do not affect the performance of the modular conveyor system.

Stock Maintenance

The parts and accessories inventory level may seem like the least activity on the checklist. But, it influences the conveyor system functionality to the greatest extent.

During the periodic maintenance and system breakdown, replacing the defective conveyor parts with new parts is required.

The stocking of necessary conveyor parts assists in lowering the maintenance time. Failing to maintain the stock level increases maintenance time and conveyor idle time. Placing an order at the peak time of maintenance affects the production rate.

When the conveyor system part is a critical component, and it is available only on orders, the idle time costs more, affecting a firm's profitability.

Therefore, it is the result of lowering the conveyor system efficiency. Ensure the inventory level of critical spares is maintained to increase efficiency.

Cleaning

Maintaining the conveying system hygienic and clean is essential when conveying dairy and food products. Compromising the conveyor system’s cleaning affects the quality of the food product.

Cleaning activity improves efficiency by reducing maintenance costs and time. Ensure to allocate a specific time for conveyor system cleaning whenever possible.

The Bottom Line

Improving the conveyor system efficiency can be achieved through consistent practice. The system has a specific life expectancy period. The system should be replaced once it exceeds the service life. Other options exist to maximize the conveyor efficiency by integrating with the right conveyor system parts and components. Are you interested in maximizing the efficiency of your conveyor system? Spectra Plast offers world-class quality conveyor belts and associated products that enable you to maximize efficiency and, in turn, your firm’s profitability.

For more information, please visit Spectra Plast India Pvt Ltd.