Like any type of machinery, conveyor belt systems will eventually experience issues from time to time. Regardless of how well-maintained conveyor belt parts are, it’s normal to face problems, especially given that conveyor belts are one of the most used pieces of equipment across many industries.

While some problems are bound to happen, there are ways to prevent common issues and extend the life of your conveyor belt parts. Below are some of the most common conveyor belt problems and ways to prevent them.

Material spillage

Material accidentally sliding, rolling, or spilling over is inevitable, especially for productions that move a lot of loose or heavy products. However, if your conveyor system is experiencing an increase in spillage incidents, it could be an issue with areas that are causing excess shaking or rattling.

To prevent material spillage, be sure to keep your conveyor system well-maintained. Clean the conveyor belt and parts regularly and consider installing impact beds.

Seized rollers

Excessive material spillage is the most common cause of seized rollers, which can halt production altogether. To prevent this downtime, we recommend installing Luff’s patented High Moisture Seal & Anti-Lock Shield. This polymer disc sits inside the end cap and remains stationary as the roller rotates around it, allowing the roller to turn freely, even with material built up between the roller end and the conveyor idler.

In addition to Luff’s High Moisture Seal & Anti-Lock Shield, you can prevent seized rollers by carefully inspecting them on a regular basis. This should be part of your regular maintenance routine.

Material blockage

Material blockage can happen due to wear and tear on the conveyor belt, sharp edges, and weak points in the system. When blockages happen, they can cause the conveyor belt to simply stop moving.

To avoid this issue, again be sure to keep a well-maintained system. Inspect your conveyor belt for any holes, weak points, and sharp edges that could potentially cause a blockage and have them repaired as soon as possible. Another solution to prevent material blockage is to install guide rollers which help reduce the chance of severe belt damage from sharp edges.

Mistracked conveyor belt

Mistracking happens when the belt moves too far to one side, which can lead to material spillage, material blockage, and cause premature wear on other conveyor belt parts. A mistracked conveyor can throw off the entire system The best way to prevent a mistracked conveyor is to have inspections and adjustments done on a regular basis. If you notice small signs of misalignment such as uneven belt wear, address them immediately before they become bigger problems.

To sum it up, some of the most seemingly small issues can turn into bigger problems that can halt operations. These common issues can be prevented and solved with simple conveyor belt parts and accessories.

Source: luffindustries.com

A trouble-free internal material flow is one of the essential factors for efficient production of components for the automotive industry. Errors and faults in transport and storage systems result in time-consuming and costly interruptions. The Craemer Group, internationally established supplier to the automotive industry, is one of the leading manufacturers with large-scale production of automotive modules made of metal and large-volume load carriers made of plastic.

The automotive expertise of the Germany-based Craemer Group founded in 1912 has contributed to the development and production of injection-moulded load carriers made of sturdy plastic. Versatile plastic pallets and pallet boxes from Craemer reliably reduce downtime in the automotive and supplier industries.

Special plastic load carriers for customised applications

For more than 50 years Craemer has been developing and manufacturing durable pallets made of high-quality polyethylene (PE). Today, the extensive portfolio includes half pallets, Euro pallets and industrial pallets for a wide range of applications. One example from the company’s portfolio is the D1 plastic pallet with its 22-millimetre rim: It is specially designed for the automotive and supplier industry and ensures high load security when used with small load carriers (SLC) and clear packaging (blisters). Unlike wooden pallets, box elements can be transported precisely and safely, without strapping and fastening, thanks to the edge system.

Thanks to their 22-millimetre outer rims, the CS plastic pallets in Euro format and industrial sizes are also ideally suited for use with SLC. The ESD (electrostatic discharge) variants of the CS pallets are made of conductive material and protect sensitive components from uncontrolled electrostatic discharge. The CS pallet is optionally available with Palgrip® anti-slip runners.

The CR plastic pallets are ideal for heavy loads. They permit versatile solutions thanks to a load capacity of up to 1750 kilograms and an anti-slip coating on the deck which makes them ideal for high rack warehouses. On the other hand, Craemer H and TC pallets offer optimum hygiene conditions for sensitive processes. The H model is also available in a conductive version. The pallet portfolio for the automotive and supplier industry is complemented by the lightweight SL pallet in Euro format with an overall height of only 120 millimetres.

Safe transport and easier handling of commodities

For the automotive industry, particularly impact-resistant and splinter-proof pallet lids are an ideal complement to Craemer plastic pallets. They are available in Euro format and industrial sizes and are suitable for all common returnable containers (such as SLC). Thanks to their precise fit they close perfectly flush. Integrated strapping grooves and locks on the short sides of the lid optimise the load security of sensitive commodities. As conductive ESD variants, they also reliably protect electrostatically sensitive components from uncontrolled discharges.

Other products of the Craemer automotive range: CB pallet boxes. Thanks to the one-piece injection-moulded production and their sturdy construction, these large load carriers made from PE convince with their high resistance and long service life. They are available in Euro format and industrial sizes. In addition, they are UN-certified and thus approved for the transport and storage of hazardous goods. Precisely fitting lids are available as additional accessories. With its complete portfolio of load carriers and accessories, the Craemer Group supports safe transport and storage processes in the automotive industry.

Berkshire Grey Research Finds 64% of Chief Supply Chain Officers Say Generation Gap is a Leading Cause of the Labor Shortage in Warehouses.

Nearly three-quarters of executives see robotics automation in warehouses as a solution for the growing gap in younger job applicants

Over half (51%) of executives confirmed they were in the process of adopting or planning to adopt robotics, and 78% expect order fulfillment cost savings of more than 10%

Berkshire Grey, Inc., (Nasdaq: BGRY) a leader in AI-enabled robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, today announced their 2022 State of Retail & eCommerce Fulfillment Report. The research, conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, surveyed Chief Supply Chain Officers at retail and ecommerce businesses on topics including labor issues, costs, pain points, automation and predicted areas of industry growth to uncover how organizations are meeting increasing consumer demands in today’s always-on retail world. 

The study found chief supply chain officers expect the labor shortage to continue to grow in their industry, with 64% noticing generational differences in employment preferences that will have a long-term impact on labor availability. Along with many warehouse laborers permanently leaving the field due to a multitude of factors including reskilling, pandemic-related illness and an aging workforce, the industry is also being hit with a combination of population forces: the lowest birth rate in U.S. history paired with Baby Boomers retiring out of the workforce, as well as a generational shift in what employees are looking for in their careers and workplaces.

“Labor issues across industries continue to vacillate, but unlike the temporary shortages seen in other industries, continued eCommerce growth and shifts in generational employment preferences are uniquely impacting the fulfillment industry and predicted to lead to long-term labor shortages that will only compound in the coming years,” said Steve Johnson, President and COO at Berkshire Grey. “In addition to compensation strategies, companies need to utilize robotics automation in order to stay ahead of this demographic shift. Not only is it a huge attractor for young talent due to the increased safety and specialized upskilling it enables, it is also a game changer in terms of cost reduction, throughput and ROI.”    

Robotics Automation Improves Talent Attraction and Retention, Closes Generational Gap

With more than half (57%) of executives believing labor shortages have hindered their ability to meet demand, it’s critical for supply chain decision makers to find a way to bridge the gap. 76% of executives believe they’ll need to raise wages and 63% believe they’ll need to increase bonuses to attract and retain workers. Executives also believe robotics automation is a promising talent attractor.

• Nearly three-quarters (71%) of executives believe robotics automation is necessary to counter reduced applications from younger generations.
• Although less than one quarter (13%) of executives say they are currently using robotic automation, they are keenly aware this is where the industry is headed, as evidenced by over half (51%) of executives being in the process of adopting or planning to adopt robotics.
• Over half (51%) of executives believe implementing automation will increase employee satisfaction, and 43% believe it will lead to a decrease in employee turnover.

Consumer Demands and Expectations Are Rising

Rising consumer expectations and on-demand shopping resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are requiring retail and eCommerce companies to greatly step up their throughput, with experts predicting the eCommerce market to increase from $3.3 trillion to $5.3 trillion by 2026.

Free returns are growing to be table stakes — nearly three-quarters (72%) of executives believe they would lose customers if they didn’t offer free returns.

More than two-thirds (68%) of executives believe they will need same day or faster delivery speeds within two years.

More than three-quarters (80%) of executives that saw an increase in return rates in 2020 have needed to increase headcount to accommodate the increase of returns.

Automation’s Impact on the Bottom Line

Since 2019, the percentage of executives who believe automation is mainstream has increased by nearly 43%. This rise in awareness and adoption is no surprise given the huge cost savings and throughput increases robotics automation is providing amidst supply chain challenges.

• More than three-quarters (78%) of executives expect to save more than 10% on order fulfillment costs as a result of robotics automation.
• Most executives (85%) currently using robotics are planning to increase their investment.
• Executives are most likely to use automation to support packaging/labeling (62%), item sortation (59%), returns (58%) and goods retrieval (58%).

The results contained within the report are based on a survey of over 200 senior-level supply chain decision makers in the U.S. at eCommerce and retail businesses.

To learn more about Berkshire Grey, visit www.BerkshireGrey.com.