If youre considering purchasing a conveyor system for your facility in the Philippines, you may have a few questions about conveyors on your mind. For example, how exactly will your facility benefit from a conveyor system? Or how will you deal with repairs down the line? You may also want to determine the type of conveyor system that best suits your business applications.
Fortunately, these are all common questions which several business owners in the Philippines have asked before. To cater to your queries and give you an overview of conveyor systems at once, here are 10 questions about conveyor systems answered.
Despite their upfront costs, conveyor belts offer several benefits to facilities in the Philippines:
Conveyor systems are more efficient than forklifts, carts, or manual transport. They also reduce the number of people required to move a certain item. As a result, youll spend less on the labor it takes to transport goods.
The constant movement of conveyor systems can certainly increase the number of delivered items for any operation. This will help your facility hit deadlines and production quotas with ease.
Conveyor systems can be mounted on the floor, on the ceiling, and on different levels of your facility. There are also vertical conveyors which can move items from one level to the next. Lay out your system properly, and youll be freeing up floor space. Your only limit will be the height of your facility.
Conveyor systems standardization and sorting capabilities can streamline your operations by cutting down on rework and errors.
You can speed up or slow down the movement of goods along your assembly line with the use of conveyor systems. Use this to create
work buffers
for steady production with minimal downtime or wastage.
Install conveyor systems in your facility, and youll be able to reduce on-site forklift traffic. Your employees will no longer have to lift objects and strain themselves as much, either.
Depending on the specific equipment, a conveyor system can reverse direction, change heights, or rotate items. You can also use conveyor belts for receiving and returning goods.
2. How Do I Choose a Suitable Conveyor System?
Youll mainly be choosing between pre-existing or turnkey systems and custom solutions built from scratch. Turnkey systems offer the following advantages to companies in the Philippines:
More cost-efficient
Easier and faster to install
Feature-rich by default
Less risky for personnel who lack in-depth technological knowledge
Custom solutions have their own strengths as well, however:
Tailored to each facility
Competitive due to customization
Can be installed phase by phase (i.e. essentials first, accessories later)
Easily scalable and adaptable
After deciding whether youll invest in a turnkey or custom solution, youll need to choose a specific type of conveyor system. Here are some guide questions to ask yourself:
Will it simply transport cargo, carry items through sterilization processes, or sort finished goods? Your answer to this question will influence the
type of conveyor belt
your facility needs.
Will you be transporting grains, wood chips,
balikbayan
boxes, or fresh produce? The specific items youll be transporting will determine whether you need specialty belting.
If youll be moving heavy loads or transporting goods at higher speeds, youll need a powerful conveyor system motor.
Be sure that even with the new conveyor system, therell still be room for other processes in your facility.
Ideally, you should inspect your conveyor system at the start and end of each shift. Walk around and do a visual inspection while letting the system run. Watch out for odd noises and vibrations, and pay attention to the condition of running parts.
Youll want to keep an eye on bearings, belts, magnetic slider beds, magnets, motor covers, and motors themselves. Here are indications and instructions for each:
These often wear down due to heat. If a bearing is either glowing or hot to the touch, it needs maintenance. Also, if it lacks grease upon inspection, the bearing either needs additional grease or has already failed.
Regularly check if your belt/chain still has the right tension to operate efficiently. Clear any jammed pieces of scrap as well.
Have the belt repaired if less than 25% of its width is damaged. However, i
f a large part of the belt has is torn or burnt, youll need to replace it.
An easy way to check a magnetic slide conveyor for indentations is to lay a long straight edge on the surface. You may also see boot prints or dents at first glance. Other indications of damage are thumping sounds during conveyor operation. This sound comes from magnets under the bed hitting the indentations as they travel.
If a magnetic slider bed has indentations, youll want to check the magnets themselves as well. The magnets stainless steel cover may wear down after some time, causing the magnets to jam the conveyor.
Scrap material often builds up on motor covers. Clear the covers out regularly.
A warm motor is still functional, while an overheated motor should be replaced. This component tends to break without warning, but you may be able to catch the smell of an overheating motor and replace it early.
In some cases, the sound or vibrations of an operating conveyor belt can give away underlying problems.
The lifespan of your conveyor belt will depend on your application. A conveyor system in an extreme environment may need a new belt every few weeks. On the other hand, a belt can last over 10 years given ideal operating conditions and proper maintenance.
TIP: Increase your belts lifespan by storing it properly. Roll it up and store it off the floor in a cool, dry, dark area.
Your best bet is to leave system integration to a reliable supplier in the Philippines. However, you can certainly help by providing necessary information, such as facility floor plans and specifications of existing equipment. Give as many details as you can to ensure smooth integration.
Conveyor systems can be affected by two main issues, both of which are easy to remedy:
A poorly planned conveyor system will be unable to adapt to changes, process disruptions, or new products. When choosing a conveyor system, be sure to include scalability in the picture.
Even the best systems will break down quickly if they are not maintained well. New personnel should know how to take care of the system and use it properly.
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Most other issues with conveyor systems can be traced back to either or both of these two problems.
Different companies will have different answers to this question. Some companies in the Philippines base their decision on costs. For example, theyll often replace an entire system if the repairs exceed 60-70% of the replacement expenses. Others prioritize lead time, choosing repairs if they cant afford to wait for over a month to have a replacement delivered.
Youll have to figure out what works for your company. Start by determining whether youll place more weight on expenses or lead time. Then, determine your threshold from there.
Follow these steps if your conveyor system needs repairs:
This will give you a rough idea of how much time and resources repairs will take. A small tear in the belt can certainly be repaired faster than damage from a forklift collision. Consult with conveyor system experts in the Philippines for a more detailed assessment.
Do you have enough funds for the repairs? If not, try tapping insurance and loans to cover the costs in the meantime.
Your systems downtime will increase if supplies or equipment for the repairs still need to be shipped over.
You may need to rent a replacement conveyor system to keep production going despite repairs.
Although third-party professionals are an option, you should also ask your supplier in the Philippines if they have dedicated repairmen on hand.
There are several conveyor system suppliers in the Philippines nowadays, but youll want to be sure that youre working with an industry expert. Here are some factors to consider:
Find a conveyor system supplier who knows what theyre doing. Aside from providing top-notch service, an insightful supplier may even point you towards rising trends concerning production lines.
The best suppliers in the Philippines can be reached whenever you need them. Theyll also constantly have technicians on hand.
Has your supplier worked with other companies in your industry? If so, theyll know what exactly to do for your facility. Theyll also be able to advise you on the conveyor system issues youll face the most.
This equips your own employees with the necessary skills to handle quick repairs and train new hires easily. Its also a good sign of a reliable supplier in the Philippines.
Does this supplier often offer ways for you to save money or reduce downtime? Are they available 24/7? The answers to these questions can indicate a suppliers reliability and true value. It helps if the supplier documents what theyve done, so that youll have evidence that your company is actually saving money.
Bookmark this list of questions, and youll have a convenient guide to owning a conveyor system in the Philippines. However, anything beyond the basics will now depend on the specific equipment youll install in your facility. If you want to go into the technicalities, its best to inquire with an industry expert who has dealt with conveyor systems first-hand.
Elixir has been offering cutting-edge equipment and technical service to customers in the Philippines for over 25 years. Our solid ties with Philippine industrial firms and world-class manufacturers serve as proof of our in-depth expertise. Contact us today, and our professionals can answer any remaining questions you may have about conveyor systems.
Visit our blog regularly for more posts about conveyor systems and related industrial equipment.
A conveyor is the critical lifeline that keeps your production moving just like the veins in your body. It is just as vital to know the system youre purchasing will meet or exceed your requirements, that it is built for longevity and that it can withstand the environment of your operation perhaps even saving an expensive retrofit afterward.
To help, George Packard, an account manager for Multi-Conveyor, has answered the following list of questions about conveyor construction that most people may not know but they should.
Of course. Multi-Conveyor can bend metal into just about any shape needed and can manufacture curves or straight sections to modify your existing line if an accurate cross-section can be provided.
Multi-Conveyor exclusively uses FDA-approved plastics for our wear and guiding materials. The type of plastic used is application specific, but low friction UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) and NOLU-S (UHMW with additional solid lubricant molded in) are commonly used to decrease chain drag friction and prolong the life of the equipment.
By default Multi-Conveyor uses standard SAE stainless steel hardware and shafting on all of its conveyors, even if they are going into a dry environment. This value-add minimizes the risk of accidentally using rustable components on sanitary projects, and it provides peace of mind that fasteners and shafting will be removed rust-free in the future should a major repair be needed.
Weve listened to our customers and know how much of a pain removing and re-installing a drive or idle shaft can be. Multi-Conveyor's answer was to standardize a proactive design that allows the maintenance technician to remove the chain, unbolt the bearings from the frame, and lift the entire shaft out of the conveyor for repair or replacement. Other conveyor manufacturers simply have a hole in the side of their frames forcing the technician to remove all of the sprockets in order to slide the shaft out which is time consuming and frustrating, especially on wider conveyors.
Conveyor lingo varies from company to company by individual, but some broad definitions still apply. Chain typically refers to a conveyor surface material that is positively driven and robust. Examples vary from simple #50 roller chain to tabletop chain like 882. Belts typically refer to a flexible continuous sheet material (typically with a canvas or plastic core) that can be sourced with some type of splice mechanism. They can be friction or positively driven and may require tracking. Modular plastic belts consist of a series of molded plastic blocks that are bricklayed to form the required width and assembled with plastic pins. There are pros and cons of each type. Multi-Conveyor will discuss the benefits of each option up front to ensure the best recommendation.
Conveyor belting and chain options are plentiful and chosen by individual application. This image shows a commonly used high-friction chain, white flush grid modular belting and standard 2-ply blue wash down belting.
Stainless steel conveyors are used in many industries such as foods, beverage liquid filling, pharmaceuticals, chemical or where corrosive resistance is required. In comparison to lower-cost painted mild steel, stainless may cost a few extra dollars, but the ROI is quickly realized in labor savings (maintenance) and maximum environmental compatibility including high heat, sanitation for agency compliance, withstanding chemical exposures, etc.
Conveyors may require features such as clean out ports, belts lifts, and easily removable carry way and return way components. Standard sanitary features should include standoffs for frame-mounted elements, sanitary supports and washdown rated power transmission components.
The industry standard is Type 304 for conveyor frames and bolt-on accessories. This metal offers broad-spectrum corrosion resistance and is cost-effective. Type 316 is another commonly used alloy that offers increased corrosion resistance in high chlorine environments.
Ground or polished continuous welds, easily removable NTR (no tool required) components, agency-approved belting, and an open design to allow greater operator access are a few. We follow industry guidelines to ensure the proper sanitary specifications are met.
Ease of routine maintenance prompted the pin-pull design for no tools required (NTR) quick-release conveyor belting.
Stainless steel conveyors are designed to be pressure washed or CIP (clean in place) or even simply wiped down with basic water or mild detergents. Chemical cleaners or other specific cleaning methods are at the discretion of the customer.
Viewing windows are common for operators to monitor the entire belt for debris or wear. CIP, or clean-in-place, assemblies may incorporate spray nozzles or hand valves allowing for an external water hook-up to clean the belt above and below as required.
Absolutely! Unique Stainless Steel MDR (Motor Driven Rollers) conveyors are available for both direct washdown and general damp duty usage. Washdown rated 24-v DC motors and controllers allow simplified installations and reduced power consumption. Multi-Conveyor can also provide a motorized drum pulley configured for plastic modular belts or urethane slider bed belt conveyors.
Stainless Steel constructed MDR is uniquely built and rated for wash down applications versus standard gravity roller. Image courtesy of Multi-Conveyor
Multi-Conveyor adds that there are two other common considerations that you should ask your conveyor manufacturer upfront:
One final piece of advice from Packard: maintain your due diligence. Dont let price and quick delivery take over as your focal point, he says. When comparing conveyor systems or bid quotes, make sure they're equivalent in construction, performance, safety, ease of maintenance and built for longevity. On the surface conveyors may appear to be fundamentally comparable. Its up to you to learn the difference.
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For more information, please visit Conveyor Components.