Selecting a conveyor belt scraper system
Using an effective, continuous method for cleaning your conveyor belt -- one which prevents material buildup on the belt -- can help extend the life and productivity of your conveyor belt system. Preventing material buildup is important; it helps keep the belt from drifting off track, prevents erratic loads on the motor, eliminates uneven wear on pulley bearings and damage to return idlers, and minimizes belt stretching. This article explains the differences between ineffective and effective belt scrapers, highlights three types of scraper systems, and discusses the relationship between scraper wear and scraper adjustment.
Continuous belt cleaning is most often accomplished with a scraper system. However, if the scrapers are made from the wrong material, both the belt and mechanical splice can be severely damaged. When selecting a belt-cleaning system, pay special attention to the system's method of operation and the scraper material. All too often, scraping is not given sufficient consideration and the scrapers are fashioned from convenient materials that are ill-suited for effective and safe belt scraping.