Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing Conveyor
1. Can you use one conveyor to handle materials at two
or more locations?
Moving a fixed metal conveyor cannot be done. Portability adds
to productivity and can lower long-term investment and maintenance
costs.
2. How easy is it to change the configuration if my needs
change? Flexibility is an important advantage. Reusability
means capital preservation—always an asset.
With standardized modules available in a range of sizes and shapes,
a modular system can provide manufacturers with important agility
benefits. This is especially true to job shops and manufacturers
who need to be able to retool a production line quickly to meet
deadlines.
Truly modular conveyor systems can be reconfigured quickly and
easily for reuse and efficiency. It is a simple matter to change
belting, add flights, radius turns and control accessories such
as sensors, and shape these systems to optimize material handling
operations.
3. What are standard maintenance requirements for my
conveyor?
Conveyor systems of plastic construction can be easier to keep
clean than those made of metal. Plastic can be cleaned with water
or detergents without risking rust, which may be very important
to applications such as food handling.
Most conventional conveyors require regular lubrication in addition
to continuous belt tensioning.
Belting on traditional conveyors, like PVC belts, can be difficult
and time-consuming to install and service, require frequent realignment,
and are more difficult to clean than plastic link-style belting.
4. What belting options are available?
There is no need to settle for standard belting because a wide
assortment of belting designs are available to best suit the application.
Choose a vendor that offers belts in a wide range of styles and
widths. Most styles are available in acetyl, polyethylene and
nylon.
Designs are available from 4-60 in. and for special configurations
such as radius turns, as well as those especially suited to water
bath, washdown, and impact applications. Styles include standard
flat top, as well as perforated, flush grid, raised rib, open
grid, flat friction top and diamond friction rubber.
It is also important to employ a system using a self-tracking
drive system where many belts can run in the same drive path off
the same drive, enabling users to change belts as needed or add
or subtract belt drive flights at any time.
5. Can my system include configuration options like turns
and inclines?
A conveyor system should go wherever you need it to go, and by
the most efficient pathway. This often involves special turns,
inclines/declines and corresponding flights or lifts.
Modular systems should offer a wide array of accessories and
specialized-application modules that completely integrate with
other modules, providing users with added configuration latitude,
dependable performance and cost savings.
5A. What is the cost and method of installing the conveyor
and related items?
The answer varies according to system, accessories and integration
requirements. Fixed metal conveyors can involve specialized engineering
and installation techniques such as welding.
Modular conveyor systems can eliminate some special engineering
and installation requirements.
It can be very helpful to consult a conveyor system specialist
before deciding on a new system.
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Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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