Simplifying Adjustment and Maximizing Efficiency
When specifying a skirt-sealing system, it's important to consider its mechanism for adjusting and replacing the wearable rubber. As the conveyor operates, the heat generated by the friction between the belt and the skirting seal, combined with the abrasive fines from the materials, causes erosion of the sealing strip. To counteract this wear, the sealing strip needs periodic adjustment against the belt. 
Applying excessive downward pressure on the sealing system not only increases the power required to move the belt but also accelerates wear on both the belt and the seal.
Cumbersome or complex servicing procedures for skirting rubber can lead to three main issues:
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No adjustment: If adjustments are neglected, the skirting strips wear out, gaps form, and leakage resumes.
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Infrequent adjustment: Adjustments made too rarely result in intermittent spillage.
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Over-adjustment: To compensate for irregular adjustments, maintenance personnel or conveyor operators may apply excessive force to the seal. This risks damaging the belt or catching a splice, potentially ripping out the entire section of sealing strip.
To mitigate these problems, skirtboard seal maintenance procedures should be streamlined, requiring minimal tools and downtime.
Sealing systems that gently rest on the belt, utilizing their own weight or designed tension, can minimize the frequency of maintenance adjustments.
Some multi-layer sealing systems feature self-adjusting capabilities, where the elastomeric material maintains sealing pressure. As the secondary strip wears, the inherent resilience of the elastomer keeps it firmly against the belt, ensuring effective sealing.