Staying the course: 8 tips for more accurate conveyor belt tracking

Accurate conveyor belt tracking can be one of the most frustrating aspects of fabrication systems. It can stunt a whole day’s production and impede on the company’s ability to get things done properly!

Conveyor belt tracking issues occur for many reasons, including an incorrect sliding bed, improper assembly of rolls and pulleys, an incorrect profile, a misaligned belt or conveyor, a wrong belt type and more.

Given that there are so many ways that the belt can become problematic, we thought we would share eight tips for improved conveyor belt tracking, as engineering fabrication services are our bread and butter.

Here are eight tips for ensuring accurate conveyor belt tracking every day on the factory line:

1. Select the perfect belt for your operation

You must choose a conveyor belt that is perfect for your application. The belt has to be able to withstand the different ambient temperatures, cleaning techniques, detergents, tension and weight distributed on it. The wrong type of conveyor belt is susceptible to problems beyond its tracking, including poor product handling and wear.

2. Adjust the belt without products situated on it

As loads will impact your belt’s tension, you should adjust the tension without products on it. Adjust and tense the empty belt using the provided recommendations from your supplier, only adding products to make the final adjustments.

3. Ensure the profile is doing its job

Products should always be centred as much as possible on the conveyor belt, which may mean you need a profile to keep the belt on track. A worn profile should be replaced or at least repaired and the reasons behind the problem properly identified before reusing.

4. Protect the belt against contamination

You should regularly clean all parts that come into contact with the conveyor belt as this will fight against any ongoing contamination. A contaminated belt can result in damage and malfunction, causing greater problems that go beyond the tracking system.

5. Contact your professional services team

The professionals are here to ensure that your system is always working properly. If you’re concerned that your belt is experiencing tracking problems beyond anything that is suitable to fix on your own, then it is imperative that your contact professional engineering fabrication services to ensure that your belt is back on track and working at its optimal level!

6. Ensure the belt is properly aligned

Your conveyor belt should be properly aligned to ensure it reaches optimal performance. Through regular inspection of the conveyor, the rolls, the belt pulleys, sliding bed and belt frame, you can trust that the belt will run smoothly and without any hiccups.

7. Assemble belt rolls & pulleys correctly

Belt pulleys, rolls and wheels must be properly assembled at a right angle to the belt running axis. If it is not properly assembled, it won’t take long for the belt to start heading in one direction by pulling more to one side than the other, thus producing a need for readjustments.

8. Ensure the tension is correct

Conveyor belts require the right tension to operate efficiently. Tracking can easily be affected if the tension is too low. Products can slip much easier if the traction is reduced. The modular belt will become susceptible to hitting parts underneath as well as sagging, which can negatively affect the belt’s service life. Conversely, the bearings can break and spindles bend if the tension is too high, thus causing the belt to go off track. The belt can also tear and unmesh if the tension is too high.

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