In order to ensure a conveyor system works properly and safely, some conveyor accessories may be necessary. Replacement parts are perhaps the most commonly purchased conveyor accessories, but some other accessories are designed to improve workflow in certain applications or even to enhance safety. Counters and speed displays, for example, can help a company determine how many units are being processed within a certain time frame, and conveyor brushes can help keep a belt clean before it loops around through the pulleys. This can prevent damage to the machine which can slow down the manufacturing process.
Aftermarket replacement parts are the most commonly purchased conveyor accessories because at some point every conveyor system will need such parts replaced. Belts are perhaps the most commonly replaced components, aside from cylinders. Replacement cylinders are essentially metal tubes that are mounted on bearings and axles, which are in turn mounted in the conveyor frame. These cylinders will wear out after time, leading to wobbling or seizing of the component. Replacement cylinders can be purchased in the same size, shape, and function as the old part to ensure smooth operation of the conveyor system and limited damage to the belt itself.
Retarders and end stops are conveyor accessories added to systems to prevent items from moving too quickly or from falling off the end of a conveyor. Retarders are essentially metal plates that are positioned within a conveyor system, between sets of rollers. The location of these retarders can vary depending on the layout of the conveyor; they are usually used on gravity conveyors, and they are placed at corners or curves, as well as at transitions between two sets of conveyors. End stops are placed at the end of conveyor systems; they are basically metal plates that stick up from the frame to prevent items from falling off the end.
Other conveyor accessories include transfers, slide tables, and chutes. Transfers are guides positioned at intersections between two conveyor systems to ensure items transfer from one system to the other smoothly. Slide tables are workspaces that connect to the frame of the conveyor to allow workers to pull items off the conveyor belt for inspection or assembly. Chutes are large wings that attach to the sides of the conveyor frame. They are intended to help keep items on the track and prevent them from falling off the sides of the system. Chutes are especially useful when fine or loose materials are being transported, such as broken rock.
