Visual Inspection of Conveyor Promotes Faster Chain Maintenance

In the photo, the conveyor frame has been modified to allow visual inspection of the chain. Maintenance is required when the chain sags and appears in the orange section of the indicator.

Chain Stretch occurs eventually on all conveyor systems. It is caused by continuous tension on the chain. When significant chain stretch occurs, it is recommended to remove chain links. Over extended periods, chain stretch can become so extreme that the pins no longer match up with the sprocket, causing tracking and slipping problems. Then it is time to replace the chain.

In the inset photo, an extreme close up of a pin housing is shown that has been stretched from a round to an oval shape, causing the entire chain length to grow.

Visual inspection is an option on new conveyor systems that provides:
•             Earlier detection of chain maintenance issues

•             Safe visual inspection during conveyor operation

•             Overall line maintenance efficiencies

For more information on conveyor maintenance and insights, download Nercon’s
white paper “Top 10 Preventative Maintenance Tips for Product Handling Conveyors.”