Conveyors are a critical component in competent material handling systems. That being said, it is important to regularly inspect them to maintain proper functioning. Be it roller conveyors or belted conveyors, there are numerous ways to address any concerns or repairs. However, with proper, timely evaluation any downtime can be avoided altogether. Here is a 5-step evaluation checklist to discern the performance of any conveyor.
Examining The Performance Of A Conveyor
Safety Inspection
With an increased emphasis on safety guidelines in the manufacturing sector, these safety parameters extend to conveyor systems too. Begin with a basic visual safety inspection such as checking for guard rails, safety stickers, accessibility of pull-stops in case of an emergency, and so on. Also, inspect the mechanical and junction boxes and ensure they are closed.
Function Testing
If the safety norms are in place, proceed with function testing. Place items across the many in-feed points of the conveyor and check for incidents like belt slippage, improper functioning of mergers and other accessories or any unwarranted snags faced by the packages. If any issues are present, address them immediately before proceeding to the next phase.
Load Testing
The next aspect of conveyor performance is load testing. Run the conveyor system with a high volume. Be it a roller conveyor or belted conveyor, check if the packages are facing any bottlenecks. This ensures that the conveyor is functioning optimally during maximum throughput. If not, address the concerns pertaining to the conveyor bottleneck.
Error Recovery
This means how well the conveyor system responds after an error has occurred, such as an RFID misread, or unwarranted addition or removal of packages during operation. An optimally functioning conveyor should be able to identify and recover from such errors.
Unprecedented Scenarios
This encapsulates any unusual or worst-case scenario that might occur during operation. It could be as simple as an operator pressing the wrong button during operation or a situation warranting a complete system shutdown. The main criteria here is to check the conveyor system as many operator errors as possible so the warehouse is prepared for any scenario.
In summation, following this 5-step checklist is the ideal way to test for conveyor performance. For more tips on roller conveyors, belted conveyors, drag-chain conveyors, or other specialized conveyor optimization, please reach out to us at Norpak Handling today. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can craft highly customized material handling solutions specific to your business requirements.
