Karin asserts that scheduling regular maintenance is one of the biggest challenges in maintaining conveyor systems that operate full-time. “Food producers want to keep the operation going to reach production and sales targets. This often causes maintenance to be postponed, resulting in the machines having to run longer than the life of the parts and increasing the chance of breakdowns”, Karin explains. So it’s very important to schedule periodic preventive maintenance well in time. Which parts need to be replaced with some regularity? According to Karin, those are belt material, gear pockets, drive chains, and bearings. These are all parts that are constantly moving around.

When parts need replacing, Karin recommends replacing them with original spare parts: “If you install non-original parts, minor deviations in the size of the part could cause friction. And after intensive use, even a small deviation can lead to serious wear and tear on the conveyor system.” The smart choice, therefore, is to order original spare parts from the supplier. This ensures the quality and longevity of the components and minimizes the risk of breakdowns and failures.

The lifetime of a conveyor’s components depends on many different factors. Consider operational time, the intensity of use, product capacity, tension and tensile strength, sprockets, and springs. Moreover, how well the conveyor is cleaned is another key factor, says Karin. “A conveyor system for unpackaged products requires more intensive cleaning than packaged products because there is more contamination.” When purchasing a conveyor belt, it is, therefore, best to choose a belt material that is best suited to the level of cleaning required. “Dry, wet, steam or chemical, it really depends on the type of contamination and the specific needs of the industry you’re working in as a food producer,” Karin adds.

Easy maintenance with the right machines

Replacing the conveyor parts can often be complicated and is another reason maintenance is often postponed. However, according to Karin, the machines at Marvu are designed to be practical in maintenance. “Our machines are easy to dismantle for maintenance so that downtime is minimized for our customers. Another advantage of an easy-to-maintain machine is that assembly time is much shorter than normal. That way, you can finish your work in no time.”

Don’t take maintenance instructions for granted

It is also extremely important to consider the environmental factors where the conveyor is located, such as temperature and humidity. If conditions are extreme, this may affect the life of the components. Therefore, make sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and regularly inspect and maintain the machine. How do we do that at Marvu? Karin can easily answer that question: “Marvu always provides a comprehensive user manual with the conveyor, which explains exactly how you should maintain and clean it. We also indicate which spare parts we recommend keeping in stock on the customer’s premises. Replacing spare parts in time and performing regular (preventive) maintenance ensure longer life of the conveyor machine and prevents long-term downtime.”

Okay, so it’s obvious that if you replace the parts of a conveyor machine on time, you will avoid production losses and extra costs for repairs. So where do food producers still go wrong? Karin believes it’s a lack of knowledge regarding stock levels. She calls it the ‘Oh no, we don’t have this part!’ problem. “Sound familiar? Are you in the middle of an important process and discover you don’t have that crucial part you need? It’s a major headache for many customers. And then there’s also a long delivery time from the supplier you weren’t prepared for. So you can understand why it’s smart to know which parts are important and ensure you always have up-to-date inventory data.” Extra tip: if you also sort the parts by delivery/expiry dates, storage requirements, and supplier information, scheduling preventive maintenance is suddenly a piece of cake. “No more stress, and it indirectly generates a sizeable profit for the company,” Karin laughs.

Well begun is half done

It is essential for food manufacturers to understand the importance of spare parts so that they can replace the parts of a conveyor belt or machine in time. Maintaining conveyor systems and replacing the parts on time is challenging, but at the same time, vital for your business as it reduces downtime and extends machine life. Preferably always use original parts to ensure the quality and safety of the machine. The recipe for success!