When it comes to keeping conveyors and sortation systems in good working order, nothing beats regular upkeep and preventive maintenance. You’re in the DC and everything’s buzzing along, and then suddenly … it isn’t. A motor stops working. A belt rips. Now, the entire conveyor system is at a standstill. Unplanned-for downtime is a huge productivity buster. But often it’s completely preventable. Here are a few good habits that can make all the difference. WALK ON BY When it comes to keeping things moving in the DC, there’s no substitute for doing a regular walkthrough of the conveyor system. As for how "regular" these walkthroughs should be, the inspections can be daily or even weekly, depending on the number of hours the system is in use, how critical a particular area of the system is, and the type of operation. "If it’s a high-speed sortation system, you probably can justify looking at it on a daily basis. The cost of looking it over is very, very minimal, compared to having it go down," says Boyce Bonham, director of integrated systems and controls for Hytrol. Think about when you conduct the inspection, too. Often, maintenance technicians will come in early to do a walkthrough before the start of a crucial high-volume shift. "The problem is, if there’s an issue, they don’t have time to take care of it before (the system) goes into production," Bonham warns. If techs do the walkthrough at the end of a high-throughput shift, they have time to resolve any problems before the next high-volume shift comes around. During the walkthrough, check that equipment is lubricated and look for things like belt wear and ripped, misaligned, or nontracking belts, advises Bonham. Also keep an eye out for torn or unraveling belt lacings, and make sure that […]