Rotating machines, especially conveyors, are common to many industries and businesses, so
keeping them running efficiently and safely is a must. To stay ahead of potential problems with
your conveyors, consider getting a speed switch sensor to act as your lookout. These sensors are designed to detect speed problems and alert you to possible trouble.
Conveyors move heavy objects that can be too cumbersome for humans to lift or mass quantities that would take too long to transport by hand. They are supposed to run at fixed speeds, so if a conveyor is slowing down for an unexplained reason, you have a problem.
Slowdowns can be a sign of overload, a motor burning out, or wear and tear of parts. If the
conveyor continues to operate, it could become badly damaged and cause an accident, possibly
injuring nearby workers.
A speed switch sensor can also detect “belt slip.” This is when the belt pushes forward but doesn’t take the belt with it. This happens when the force of friction between the belt and the
pulley is hampered by a weak grip between the pulley and the belt. In recent years, belt slippage has been known to cause conveyor belt fires, so it’s imperative to have a sensor on hand. If belt
slip is detected, the conveyor should be shut off immediately.
The benefits of early detection are not only the immediate safety of your workers, but also the
costs associated with repairing your conveyor. Scouting out speed problems mean you may only have to replace small parts like gears, belts or a motor. It can also save your business downtime with long term repairs. In addition, you can save on the cost of having to buy new, expensive
machinery.
Making sure your conveyors run efficiently and safely means posting lookouts for possible trouble. A speed switch sensor acts like a guard in a watch tower. When trouble arises, they’ll
sound the alert, allowing you to tackle a problem before it becomes a true disaster.
