Conveyor is a material handling tool that functions to move goods from one place to another. The use of conveyors is generally used in the industrial world to transport materials that are heavy, dangerous, and also large in number, so they are unable to be carried or transported manually.
The materials transported can be in the form of manufactured goods or goods that will enter the production process. In order to operate the conveyor, it would be nice to know about the conveyor parts before. The conveyor parts in general and their functions are as follows:
1. Feed Chute
The feed chute is an inlet for materials to be moved by the conveyor. The items to be moved are put into the feed chute before they are on the rubber belt.
2. Loading Skirt
The loading skirt or barrier is part of the conveyor which is installed on the left and right of the belt at the loading place. This partition is usually made of metal or wood so that it can be installed upright or at an angle to prevent the goods being transported from spilling over.
3. Carry Rollers
Carry rollers are rubber belt support that used to transports materials, usually located at the top of the conveyor and directly below the rubber belt.
4. Rubber Belt
The rubber belt is part of the conveyor that functions to receive the transfer of motion energy from the rotating pulley, the belt will transport the material from one end of the conveyor belt to the other. Belt is usually made of rubber with a rough surface.
5. Discharge Chute
Discharge chute is an outlet for goods that are loaded by the conveyor.
6. Head Pulley
The head pulley is a pulley located at the front end of the belt where the material is moved. In some conditions, this pulley is used as a drive pulley which is directly connected to the motor.
7. Gear Reducer
Gear reducer is a component in the conveyor which functions to reduce the speed of the driving motor. The speed of the motor is usually at high rpm, so it is impossible to directly attach it to the conveyor.
For this reason, a gear reducer is needed so that the speed of the rubber belt conveyor is not as fast as the motor and we can easily control it according to the speed we want.
8. Motor
The motor is part of the conveyor which serves as the main driving force. Without a motor, the conveyor will not be able to move goods from one place to another.
9. Primary Cleaner
Primary cleaner is the main part of the conveyor cleaning component which is used to clean the surface of the belt from the remaining material that remains attached to the belt.
10. Discharge
Discharge is the place where goods will be moved or detached from the conveyor.
11. Secondary Cleaner
The secondary cleaner on the conveyor has the same function as the primary cleaner which functions to clean the belt from dirt after loading the materials. Secondary cleaner is held as a backup if the dirt still passes the primary cleaner stage.
12. Counter Weight
Counter weight is part of the conveyor which functions as a load to maintain the stability of the rubber belt tension. With this counter weight, the possibility of forming a hollow due to the sagging of the rubber belt can be avoided and the transportation of materials becomes smooth.
13. Take-up Pulley
The take-up pulley is part of the conveyor that is installed to maintain belt tension and compensate for belt stretch while the materials is being carried out.
14. Bend Pulley
Bend pulley is a pulley that has the function of bending or changing the direction of the belt.
15. Return Roller
The return roller has the same function as the carry roller, which is to support the rubber belt. However, there is a slight difference in the condition of the supported rubber belt. On the return roller, the condition of the supported rubber belt is empty or has transported goods.
16. Tail Pulley
The tail pulley is a pulley that is at the back end of the belt and is not rotated directly by the motor, but rotates because it follows the motion.
17. Feeder
Feeder is part of the conveyor which functions to load material to the top of the belt on a regular basis.
18. Snub Pulley
The snub pulley is an additional pulley that functions to increase the angle of the belt winding on the drive.
19. Holdback
Holdback is part of the conveyor which functions as a deterrent so that the belt carrying the load does not move in the opposite direction due to a lack of propulsion or sudden damage to the motor so that the conveyor stops.
In other words, this holdback is a conveyor braking system if the motor is not functioning. This holdback is usually placed between the motor connection and the head pulley.
20. Frames
The frame is part of the conveyor which functions as a place for all conveyor components to be attached. Usually composed of steel material.
That is an explanation about the parts of the conveyor and their general functions. Every part of the conveyor plays an important role and supports each other for the smooth running of the conveyor operation.
Given that there are still different types of conveyors out there, it is possible that there are some differences in their components.
Even though the conveyor is only a support system in an industry, it still has to get maximum maintenance. Disruption of the conveyor can have an impact on delays in the process of transporting goods needed from one location to another.