Question 1

Can a burnt-out drum motor be repaired, or do I need a new one?

Accepted Answer

You can send the drum motor to us for assessment. In many cases involving minor faults, the motor can be refurbished.

Question 2

Can a V-belt be replaced with a flat belt?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is often possible. However, the pulleys must be replaced, and the drive must be dimensioned according to the specific load requirements.

Question 3

Can you repair cleats on existing conveyor belts?

Accepted Answer

We can usually replace individual cleats on-site. For major repairs, we recommend performing the work in our workshop.

Question 4

Do you offer rubber lining for metal surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We perform rubber lining on all types of metal. Contact us and we will propose a customized solution.

Question 5

How can I increase friction on a drive pulley?

Accepted Answer

By coating the pulley with NBR rubber friction lagging (hardness 60-80 Shore A), you increase friction and power transmission efficiency.

Question 6

How do I choose the correct diameter for a drum motor?

Accepted Answer

Dimensioning depends on the load and the minimum pulley diameter of the conveyor belt. A good starting point is the diameter of your current conveyor setup.

Question 7

How do you calculate the weight of a conveyor belt?

Accepted Answer

This is normally specified in the data sheet for each belt type, e.g., the belt's mass (weight) in kg/m². Contact us for the specific data sheets.

Question 8

How do you measure the length of a V-belt?

Accepted Answer

Measure the outer circumference of the belt. To identify the correct profile, measure the belt's top width and its total height.

Question 9

How do you measure the length of an installed conveyor belt?

Accepted Answer

Measure the internal circumference with a long measuring tape. If this isn't possible, measure the outer circumference and subtract (belt thickness x 3.14). Example: Outer = 1000mm, Thickness = 3mm: 1000-(3 x 3.14) = 990.58mm internal.

Question 10

How do you repair a hole in a conveyor belt?

Accepted Answer

For TPU and PVC belts, the material needs to be pressed with a heat press to reinforce the hole. For rubber belts, we use fabric-reinforced repair patches and industrial adhesive.

Question 11

How often should industrial drive belts be replaced?

Accepted Answer

Lifespan can be assessed through regular visual inspections (e.g., checking for surface damage or cracks). For heavy-duty operations, preventative replacement intervals are recommended.

Question 12

How often should the oil be changed in a drum motor?

Accepted Answer

Typically, the oil does not need to be changed. However, if necessary due to specific conditions, it can be drained and replaced via the plug on the end flange.

Question 13

What are the advantages of a lagged (rubber-coated) drum?

Accepted Answer

The main advantage is increased traction, requiring less power to drive the belt. It also allows for lower belt tension without the risk of slipping.

Question 14

What causes cracks in a timing belt?

Accepted Answer

This is usually due to normal aging of the belt. The process can be accelerated by high operating temperatures and mechanical wear and tear.

Question 15

What is the difference between a drum motor and a standard gear motor?

Accepted Answer

A drum motor is a self-contained drive unit with an internal motor, gearbox, and bearings integrated into a cylinder. A gear motor is mounted externally, either directly to the drive pulley or via transmission, which requires more space.

Question 16

What is the difference between a pre-cleaner and a finish cleaner?

Accepted Answer

The pre-cleaner removes the bulk of the coarse material at the drive pulley. The finish cleaner (or fine cleaner) is installed directly after the pre-cleaner to clean off the remaining fine particles.

Question 17

What is the difference between a primary and a secondary belt cleaner?

Accepted Answer

The primary cleaner (pre-cleaner) removes most of the coarse material sticking to the belt and is usually positioned at the drive pulley. The secondary cleaner is typically placed immediately after the primary to remove any remaining fine material.

Question 18

What is the difference between flat belts and cleated belts?

Accepted Answer

Flat belts are typically used for inclines up to 18 degrees, while cleated belts are suitable for inclines up to 40 degrees depending on the application.

Question 19

What is the main disadvantage of PVC conveyor belts?

Accepted Answer

PVC belts generally become harder over time, which can result in small surface cracks. Therefore, we recommend Habasit HySAN PVC belts for food production.

Question 20

What is the recommended tension for a conveyor belt?

Accepted Answer

For Habasit conveyor belts, we recommend a pre-tension of 0.3% to 0.5% of the total belt length.

Question 21

What should I do if a conveyor belt breaks during production?

Accepted Answer

To minimize downtime, you should keep a spare belt with mechanical fasteners in stock so you can quickly replace it yourself.

Question 22

When is a drum motor the best choice?

Accepted Answer

Drum motors are ideal for harsh environments with high levels of dust or grit, and where the equipment is subject to continuous freshwater washdowns.

Question 23

When is it better to use mechanical fasteners instead of vulcanization?

Accepted Answer

We typically recommend vulcanized belts for maximum lifespan. However, in cases where a quick recovery after a belt failure is required, we recommend using mechanical fasteners.

Question 24

When should I choose hot vulcanization over cold vulcanization?

Accepted Answer

Hot vulcanized belts are used when an absolutely smooth splice is required on both surfaces. A key advantage is skipping the 12-hour curing time required for cold vulcanization. In terms of strength, the difference is minimal.

Question 25

When should I use a belt scraper versus a belt brush?

Accepted Answer

Generally, a belt brush works better on cleated (flighted) belts, but depending on the application, it can also be used effectively on flat conveyor belts.

Question 26

When should I use a timing belt instead of a V-belt?

Accepted Answer

Timing belts are used when a non-slip drive is required. This requires replacing the pulleys and dimensioning the drive based on the load.

Question 27

Which blade material is best: Polyurethane or Tungsten Carbide?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the application. A polyurethane scraper is gentler and follows the belt surface more closely, but has a lower cleaning efficiency. Tungsten carbide blades provide superior cleaning in tough, demanding operations and offer a much longer lifespan.

Question 28

Which conveyor belt should be used for food grade applications?

Accepted Answer

We recommend choosing belts that meet food safety requirements (EU compliance), also known as a Declaration of Compliance (DoC). This is always specified in the data sheet.

Question 29

Which conveyor belt splicing methods do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We generally recommend finger-spliced (Flexproof) belts. For demanding drives, we use overlap splicing (Thermofix) for maximum strength.

Question 30

Which drive belts are resistant to oil and high temperatures?

Accepted Answer

Many drive belts have low oil resistance, which negatively impacts their lifespan. A standard drive belt can normally withstand continuous operating temperatures between +70°C and +100°C.

Question 31

Which is better: TPU or PVC conveyor belts?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the application. PVC has a softer and less wear-resistant surface. For higher demands on durability and lifespan, TPU belts are preferred.

Question 32

Why is my conveyor belt mistracking?

Accepted Answer

Belts usually require a centered installation to track straight. Issues can arise if idlers are misaligned or if drive/tail pulleys are not properly crowned. Ensure all rollers are free from debris and buildup.

Question 33

Why is my drive belt squealing?

Accepted Answer

Normally on Poly-V belts, this is due to the belt being worn out and developing a glazed, hard surface. Noise can also occur if the drive is poorly aligned.

Question 34

Why is my drum motor leaking oil?

Accepted Answer

You should inspect the shaft seals for mechanical wear or damage. Exposure to harsh chemicals can also degrade the seals over time.

Question 35

Why is my drum motor overheating?

Accepted Answer

Overheating can occur when high power usage is combined with low speeds or a dirty belt. The belt should cover at least 70% of the drum surface. If temperatures get too high, the built-in thermal protection will trip.

Knowledge Base

Categories

Questions

Do you have more or other questions?

CONTACT US

PARTNERS

SOCIAL