5 ways to adjust conveyor belt tension and tracking of belt
Updated: Nov 8
Belt Tracking is often an issue faced by conveyor manufacturers and users. Maintenance people are called frequently for belt tracking problems in production areas.
Below are the steps by which should be followed while tracking the belt
Below you shall find the procedure to track the belt. One should understand the science behind belt untracking. Conveyor belt is cut square ( rectangle ) while joining. When the belt is trying to come to its origin, i.e. squareness it leaves its position and it gets out of the track.
The elements of the belt conveyors need properly at 90degree to each other such as the support frame, the drive & driven rollers, support rollers.
When we are adjusting the belt tension, we are only trying to maintain the squareness of the belt.
One should follow each step carefully with the technical understanding of the same. You should provide sufficient time for the belt to take its position, after each adjustment. Do make small changes, allow the belt to move, observe the position and decide the next action.
Steps to Track your Conveyor Belt and adjust tension
Check runout or concentricity of the drive/driven roller
Runout or concentricity of the drive/driven rollers is the most known cause of belt getting untrack.
Check the drive & Driven Rollers position if it is exactly at the right angle to the belt. Basically, if you join the center lines a perfect square should be formed. Conveyor support structure may be welded or aluminum profile welded, in any case, it is necessary that it forms a perfect square.
Check the Support Rollers are exactly at the right angle to the belt top. The support rollers may force to change the position.
Check if any foreign material is stuck below the belt e.g. some carton box cut pieces, metal debris, electrical wires, screws or Nuts.
Check if the belt properly cut... a perfect Square Cut.
If nothing above comes to your help try following
1) Check if it possible to rubberize the rollers.
Rubberizing the rollers is a easy way out if it is possible. Rubber increases grip between the rollers and the belt and avoids belt movement
2) Knurling and crowning of the rollers
Knurling and crowning of the rollers increases grip on the rollers and is also a good way to maintain the belt in place.
Design of a belt conveyor
It is always advisable to take extra care while design, so that such issues can be avoided.
With the advancement technology, there are other ways to avoid and minimize the belt tracking issues. It can be avoided by following ways
Coating of the Drive Roller
Crowning of the Drive Roller
knurling of the Drive Rollers
Centre Guide for the belts.