Installing a new conveyor belt is a complicated process. First, you’ll need to splice the belt to the correct length. Next, you’ll need to install the belt at the correct tension. Learn why proper conveyor belt tension is important for protecting your equipment.
Ensure Proper Belt Tracking
Tracking is the ability of a conveyor belt to run in a straight line on the rollers. If you don’t install a belt properly, it may slide to one side of the conveyor frame, changing weight disbursement and damaging the edge of the belt. Poor tracking can sometimes be a sign that you didn’t properly tension your belt. Tension is a key element that keeps belts running in a consistent direction.
Avoid Excessive Stretch
Tensioning a conveyor belt is basically just stretching it to keep the belt taut. Every belt has a different tension requirement to run optimally. Proper conveyor belt tension is important because it prevents products on the belt from determining the belt’s stretch. For example, large heavy items may weigh the belt down and cause it to sag if the tension is too loose.
Reduce Splice Failures
When you purchase a conveyor belt, it arrives as one long strip, not a loop. You have to splice the belt to turn it into a loop, which means cutting back each internal belt layer and gluing the ends together, one layer at a time. Proper tensioning helps protect splicing seams, which can tear if the belt has too much tension.
Prevent Damage to Conveyor Frames
If your belt doesn’t have correct tension, items on the belt may create wear patterns that impede belt function. Additionally, the belt may get off track and run into the side of the frame. This can cause damage to the belt and the frame itself, especially if a product on the belt collides with the frame.
One way to protect your equipment is to use modular plastic belting like urethane belts from Texas Belting and Supply. We carry hundreds of belting types, including urethane belts with anti-heat and anti-abrasion coatings. Let us help you find the right kind of belting for your needs.