Conveyor Belt Maintenance: 4 Practical Tips for Using Scrapers Effectively
Conveyor belts can accumulate residue materials over time. In simple terms, when a conveyor belt transports bulk materials from the loading point to a chute or hopper, there will be some remnants on the belt surface. These remnants can be harmful because they will affect the efficiency of the belt. If they fall between the belt parts, the functionality could be affected.
Also, you might need to conduct more frequent belt cleanings. In addition, accumulated residues will affect the quality of fresh goods. You can prevent these problems by using a suitable scraper. Scrapers have blades which will efficiently clean flat belts, promoting consistent and long-lasting performance. Here are essential tips for using scrapers in your industrial operation.
1. Choose a Good Scraper
You should select the most appropriate scrapers for use in your industrial operation. Your choice will determine the cleaning efficiency. In general, scrapers can be categorised into primary and secondary scrapers. Primary scrapers are usually installed at the drive drum and will effectively remove coarse, sticky and wet residues from the belt.
The secondary alternatives are placed behind the drive pulley, and these scrapers are intended for removing dry and fine residues. You can opt to use either a secondary or primary scraper, or you can install both for higher cleaning efficiency. It is also advisable to check the fabrication material to promote better scraper performance.
2. Install the Unit Correctly
Proper installation is essential for the optimal function of a scraper. If the placement process is incorrect, the scraper will not clean the belt efficiently. Moreover, the conveyor could sustain damage. Therefore, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations on scraper installation to avoid complications. Where possible, you should choose experienced technicians install the equipment to ensure ideal results.
3. Replace the Blades
The scraper relies on blades to remove the dirt and residues on the conveyor belts. These blades will work as expected when they are new and sharp. However, like other tools, their performance will decline as the blades are worn out. This will reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning system, and the production could decline. Therefore, it is important to check and replace the blades regularly.
4. Check the Belt Condition
Finally, you should inspect the condition of the conveyor belt because it will affect the performance of the scrapers. If the belting is old and damaged, it will be difficult to scrape off residues. Also, the blade could break unexpectedly. Therefore, you should repair and replace the belting components regularly to promote long-term benefits from the scrapers.
Share