Considering Belt Damage & Repairs In Regards To Effective Belt Cleaning
Due to the operational mechanism of belt cleaners, which exert consistent pressure across the belt width, it is crucial for belts to maintain an even surface for effective blade contact. Damage such as cracking, fraying, delamination, or surface gouges—often caused by chemical exposure, environmental elements, or misalignment—can hinder belt cleaner performance. This issue extends to patterned belt surfaces like PVC, necessitating belt washing for residual material removal.
Manufacturers often imprint identification numbers and logos on belt top covers for cataloging and branding purposes. While beneficial for identification, these markings pose cleaning challenges similar to intentional PVC patterns, affecting sealing systems. A recommended practice is branding belts on the bottom cover to mitigate these issues.
Steel-cable belts with hard and soft streaks between cables hidden within the rubber present another challenge. Operators sometimes increase pressure to clean softer patches, leading to unnecessary wear on belt covers and blades.
All belt cleaning methods and blade materials contribute to some degree of wear on the belt’s top cover. Some manufacturers have introduced belting designed to accommodate this wear. Designers accept this wear as it prevents more severe damage from material build-up and allows them to select top covers based on loading concerns.
Occasionally, conveyor belts sustain damage from singular events like large material lumps or tramp iron wedges, resulting in longitudinal grooves. These grooves can complicate traditional belt cleaning. To improve efficiency and prevent further damage, grooves can be filled with urethane patches, and periodically maintained through localized cleaning methods such as air knives or brush cleaners.