We have seen it all. In the world of conveyors and moving stuff from point A to point B, we have seen every way a system can fail, be misused, or generally go awry.
There’s a reason we build in contingency plans, repair guides, and excessive documentation to everything we install. We want you to get your systems up and running as quickly as possible should something go wrong.
In the meantime, we advise all of our customers to keep an eye out with routine inspections. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, as momma would always say. And while her conveyor systems were a little more basic (Erik! Come help me get these groceries in the house!), the same can be said for everything doing the heavy movement in your warehouse.
Regular inspections, the kind that are scheduled and put on your calendar, as well as the type that you do on periodic walkthroughs, are essential to the maintenance of your systems. Otherwise, the only reason you would have to look under the hood is when things stop working and start costing you money.
Things you should be on the lookout for:
Cleanliness. And we know that the things that work the hardest are often the ones that get the dirtiest. No need for a white-glove inspection here, just a once-over to ensure there isn’t any buildup around more sensitive components and that any necessary ventilation is clear of debris.
Wear and Tear. Components are designed to wear down with use. Instead of having to do a complete teardown, we’d much rather replace a little cog in the machine every now and again. The key is to replace these components before they become a problem. Belts, motors, rollers, fans – pretty much anything that moves or is moved against – friction is a harsh mistress. We make a point to keep spare parts and components for industrial conveyors on hand and we are always encouraging our customers to keep their supply closets full. (Link: Parts post, contact)
Speaking of friction: a little lubrication goes a long way, but to be safe you may as well add a little more. Moving parts need greasing now and again, especially in dusty environments where debris can gunk up the works (again, something momma would always say but I never understood until just now).
Maintenance is a team effort. Yes, the entire team. Not only should everyone keep their eyes peeled and raise attention to anything that seems off, but a maintenance schedule should be shared and notes made public. Document when inspections and maintenance are completed. It is also a good idea to keep product manuals and maintenance guides somewhere they are easily accessible.
We do everything we can to ensure our customers have what they need to keep whatever we install running as efficiently and effectively for as long as possible. Plus, our team is always on hand to answer questions, maintenance calls, repairs, upgrades, or whatever else you need to keep your operation moving. Give us a shout, let’s see what we can do for you. (Link: contact)