Preventing Belt Damage and Reducing Spillage Risks
Skirt-sealing systems are susceptible to damage when the belt mistracks. If the belt moves off-center beneath one side of the skirtboard, the sealing strip on that side becomes unsupported and hangs below the belt line. When the belt returns to a centered position, the seal can either rub against the moving belt's edge, causing abrasion, or it may bend backward and tear away. Both scenarios significantly increase the risk of spillage. To prevent damage to edge seals, it is crucial to ensure adequate edge distance and maintain proper belt tracking.
Sealing System and Belt Cover Wear
Regarding sealing systems and belt cover wear, a research project published in the journal Bulk Solids Handling in 1995 investigated how engineered belt cleaning and sealing systems impact belt wear. This study evaluated the abrasion of various edge-sealing systems and concluded that with adequate maintenance, these systems can extend the life of conveyor belts. While these devices contribute to belt wear, their effect is approximately half the rate seen when belts encounter accumulations of fugitive materials due to inadequate or failed cleaning and sealing systems.
Belt mistracking can be caused by a number of factors, but all mistracking leads to subsequent problems if not identified and resolved.