Underpinning the entire conveyor belt system, rollers are one of the most important components to keep on top of for an efficient system. If there is an issue with any of the rollers, the flow on effect will pass on to all parts of the system and can impact its efficiency. Here are some of the problems that can arise:
- Damage to the underside or carryside of the belt, with return rollers causing premature belt wear.
- Misalignment or tracking issues, which can subsequently cause spillage or damage the belt itself.
- Increased strain on the drive putting extra pressure on the system can cause it to run inefficiently and wear out other components sooner, such as the drive motor and pulley lagging.
Checking your Rollers
A plant that is running 24/7 should be checked at least weekly to ensure that all rollers are running as they should be.
It’s a good idea to check your system while it’s running so you can listen for worn bearings, visually check for flat spots (where the roller is turning but not moving the belt) and ensure that the rollers are sitting in the frame properly as they can sometimes pop out.
Choosing Rollers for your system
There are many, many different types of rollers that can vary in shaft size, bearing size and material thickness. High impact areas will need impact rollers, rollers on tracking frames should be lined with rubber to assist with tracking, and if you’re wanting to keep noise to a minimum, nylon or plastic rollers are a good choice. You also might want to consider composite rollers (made up of steel and plastic composite) where you can get the best of both worlds – they are quieter but also hardwearing.
Get advice
If you have any questions about what rollers are right for your system and how to best look after them, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.