Perhaps the most underrated aspect of safety and efficiency in the workplace is the conveyor belt. When it’s up to scratch, a conveyor belt massively streamlines workloads, making other roles easier.
Malfunctions can throw everything into disarray, causing pileups and bottlenecking which can damage or endanger both workers and equipment. To avoid this, we’ve put together some of the best options for you to maximise efficiency for your conveyor belts.
Pre-Production
If you need tips for conveyor belts before your factory is operating, we’ve got you covered. Your first considerations should be what they’ll need to bear in terms of size, weight, and other characteristics.
Next, consider setting your conveyor systems to pull instead of push. Pulling is far more efficient, and pushing can actually lose you over half of your load capacity. You could also consider alternatives like pneumatic conveying systems, such as the ones listed at https://www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying-systems/.
It’s also important to know the demands of your specific industry, as products like food or pharmaceutical ingredients will require stringent care, with considerations like material density and general hygiene/sanitation being integral.
For these specific examples, you’ll need an FDA-approved conveyor belt, so keep an eye out for any other requirements of your industry.
During Operation
Next, we’ll cover the essentials for the conveyor belts you’re currently operating. Inspections are probably the most important aspect here, and go a long way in preventing issues down the line. This includes replacing broken or rundown parts.
Cleanliness is integral to the smooth operation of conveyor belts, so ensure any sources of friction or slippage are resolved. These issues won’t just dirty your products, they’ll also cost you far more, as motors will need to work overtime to keep up.
General Safety
The best way to stay safe around conveyor belts is to adopt a culture of safety, keeping your workers informed on the correct practices and ensuring their workstations are equally safe.
Maximising safety will in turn help you maximise both employee and machine productivity, and being open to suggestions from your staff is also invaluable for your workplace’s safety culture.