Conveyor belt tracking is the process of making sure the belt is properly aligned and controlled so it continues to maintain the desired path.
The process does not have to be very difficult. There are some easy, helpful tips you can use to get and keep your conveyor belt running smoothly.
The factors influencing the ability of conveyor belts to track correctly include:
1. End Pulleys Not Being Square
2. The Conveyor Frame Not Being Square And Level
3. Debris Build Up On The End Pulleys
4. Incorrectly Cut Rubber Conveyor Belt
If you want to ensure you consistently get proper conveyor belt tracking, periodically check the conveyor system to see if any of these problems exist.
Proper Maintenance Of A Rubber Conveyor Belt
As part of regular maintenance of the conveyor belts in your commercial property, it is important to track the rubber conveyor belt properly.
- Making sure they are correctly aligned and checking the pulleys and the conveyor belt’s underside to make sure debris hasn’t built up and created a raised area or crown helps to make tracking conveyor belts easier.
- Checking to make sure the conveyance system is clean and does not have any of the common mechanical issues is vital for proper belt preventative maintenance.
- If there are frequent line changes or regular modifications of the conveyor system to meet production requirements, the conveyor can sometimes be no longer level or square.
How To Track A Conveyor Belt
Conveyor belts tend to shift if the conveyor bed is not level or square. Using a level is an easy and effective way to check for those types of issues. You should also check the frame as well as the end pulleys to ensure the conveyor bed is square. Make sure every pulley is properly aligned relative to the frame of the conveyor. Use the snub rollers and idlers and not the drive roller when adjusting the tracking. To ensure all conveyor belts were cut straight, remove them from the conveyor, lay them on a flat surface and examine the belt to see if it has a curve or an arc. If it does, the belt should be replaced.
Three Steps For Fixing Tracking Problems
If you have conveyor belt tracking problems, there are three easy steps you can take to solve them.
1. Turn on the conveyor. While it’s running, loosen the bolts that are nearest to the tail pulley. This loosens the snub roller, the primary means of steering the conveyor belt.
2. Using a rubber mallet, tap the bolts gently in the direction that you want the belt to move. This will adjust the snub roller. Make small adjustments until the belt is centered on the tail pulley. Adjust the snub rollers that are closest to the conveyor’s ends and work back towards the middle.
3. Re-tighten the bolts to ensure that the snub roller remains in a new position. After a few revolutions, the belt should begin tracking to the middle of the conveyor.