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How to Properly Store Conveyor Belt_ 5 Pratical Tips

Introduction

In order to ensure the continued performance and longevity of conveyor belts, it is common practice for companies to remove idle or empty belts from the production line and store them in a designated warehouse. Additionally, it is advisable for companies to maintain a stock of backup belts to mitigate the risk of unplanned downtime resulting from belt failure, as no resource is better and faster than your own backup plan.

How to Store Conveyor Belts

When it comes to storing conveyor belts, proper procedures should be followed to preserve their quality and functionality. This article by Bsbeltfactory will offer you with useful tips about different types of conveyor belt storage.

Proper temperature and humidity

To maintain the integrity of conveyor belts, it is crucial to store them in a suitable environment with controlled temperature and humidity levels. Extreme temperatures can lead to belt degradation, hardening, or deformation, while excessive humidity can promote mold growth or corrosion.

It is recommended to store conveyor belts in a warehouse where the temperature ranges from 18-40 ℃ and the relative humidity is maintained between 50-80%. By ensuring the ideal storage conditions, you can safeguard the quality and performance of your conveyor belts.

Placement requirements

There must be no stresses, i.e. extrusion and tension. Because the stress can cause permanent deformation of the belt or breakage of the tension cord. Therefore, it must be ensured that industrial belt storage is carried out without any form of stress.

Protection against Light and UV Exposure:

Conveyor belts, particularly those made of rubber or plastic materials, can be susceptible to damage from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. It is essential to store conveyor belts in an area where they are shielded from direct sunlight. Implementing appropriate shading measures can further protect them.

For outdoor belt storage, it is advisable to choose materials with UV resistance or employ additional protective measures to mitigate the effects of UV radiation.

Preventing Chemical Exposure:

Certain chemicals can corrode or harm conveyor belts. During storage, it is crucial to prevent contact between the belts and substances such as acids, alkalis, oils, and solvents. If there is a likelihood of the conveyor belts coming into contact with these substances, it is recommended to select conveyor belts specifically designed with chemical resistance properties or apply additional protective measures.

By taking these precautions, the integrity and longevity of the conveyor belts can be preserved.

Away from ozone

In the warehouse of storing conveyor belts, there should avoid any electrical appliances that may generate ozone, such as fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps, or high-voltage electrical equipment. Combustion gases and vapors that can lead to ozone formation through photochemical processes must be avoided or eliminated.

Avoid Deformation and Deterioration:

To prevent the deformation and deterioration of conveyor belts, it is crucial to store them in a manner that minimizes compression and bending over extended periods. Ideally, conveyor belts should be stored in rolls rather than being excessively stacked or folded.

If the belt storage duration is prolonged, it is recommended to rotate the belts every two months to distribute the pressure evenly and avoid excessive strain on one side. 

Clean and Keep Dry

Before storing conveyor belts, make sure their surfaces are clean and free of any debris that could cause contamination or corrosion. In addition, the conveyor belt should be kept dry and protected from damp environments to prevent mold growth or corrosion.

Regular inspection and maintenance

Regularly inspect stored conveyor belts, especially those that have been stored for a long time, to ensure they are in good condition. Pay attention to observing whether there is obvious aging, damage, or deformation. During the storage period, some maintenance measures can be carried out in due course, such as applying appropriate protective agents or adjusting the storage position, to keep it in good condition.

Besides the general rules for industrial belts storage, there are also some special storage requirements for v belts and timing belts as follows:

V-Belt Storage

When storing V-belts horizontally or in a stacked manner, it is important to limit the stack height to a maximum of 300mm. This precaution helps prevent permanent deformation of the belts. Alternatively, if the V-belts are suspended, the diameter of the hanging cylinder should be at least 10 times greater than the height of the V-belt section. Following these storage guidelines ensures the V-belts remain in optimal condition and maintain their shape.

Timing Belt Storage

For proper storage of timing belt , it is recommended to store them vertically rather than horizontally, avoiding any compression or pressure. When storing timing belts in rolls, particularly those with a large circumference, ensure the turning radius is at least six times greater than the tooth pitch. This precautionary measure helps maintain the integrity and performance of the timing belts throughout their storage period.

To sum up, when storing conveyor belts, attention should be paid to controlling temperature and humidity, protecting from light and ultraviolet rays, avoiding chemical contact, preventing deformation and deterioration, keeping it clean and dry, and regular inspection and maintenance. These considerations can help protect the quality and performance of your belt, extend its life, and ensure smooth material transfer when needed.

If you still want a detailed guide that you can follow step by step, here we offer a checklist for your reference.

Checklist for conveyor belt storage

1. Choose an appropriate storage location 

Select a warehouse or storage area that provides a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled environment. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, humidity, or corrosive substances that could adversely affect the belt material.

2. Clean and inspect the belt

Before storing, clean the belt thoroughly to remove any debris or contamination. Check them for any signs of damage or wear that may need repair or replacement.

3. External packaging

After selecting the environment, in order to prolong the industrial belt storage time, the enterprise needs to pay attention to the outer packaging of the conveyor belt. High-seal packaging can be selected to reduce the contact between the conveyor belt and the air and avoid different degrees of oxidation reactions.

4. Rotate inventory

Implement a first-in-first-out (FIFO) system to ensure that old belts are used first. Inventory is regularly checked for expiration dates (if applicable) and rotated accordingly to prevent the use of expired or degraded belts.

By adhering to proper belt storage practices, companies can maximize the life and performance of conveyor belts.

Conclusion

Whether you are an end-user of conveyor belts or operate a conveyor belt wholesale business, we aim to provide you with valuable tips for proper conveyor belt storage. Our guidelines are designed to assist you in preserving the quality and performance of your belts. By following these industrial belt storage recommendations, you can ensure that your conveyor belts are well-maintained and ready for use when needed.

About Bsbeltfactory

As a professional conveyor belt manufacturer, Bsbeltfactory is a reliable expert that helps you find the best belt solutions for your application. With 17+ years of experience, we have partnered with numerous clients to serve a variety of industries with custom belts. We all know finding a reliable supplier and suitable material at reasonable prices is the key to success, If you want to customize your bulk orders, contact us and meet your business needs.

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