I. Correct Procedures for Tension Adjustment
1. Preparation Before Adjustment: Begin tension adjustment only after the conveyor belt splicing is complete. First, verify that the conveyor frame is level and that the roller parallelism meets specifications; inspect the roller surfaces for wear or debris to ensure they do not compromise the tensioning effect.
2. Adjusting the Tensioning Device: Loosen the fixing bolts on the tensioning device (e.g., screw take-ups, gravity take-ups, etc.) and slowly increase the tensioning stroke while simultaneously measuring the tension value using a tension meter. The standard initial tension for a PVC conveyor belt is 5–10 N/mm; this value can be adjusted within this range based on the conveyor's length and load requirements, with the upper limit being selected for long-distance or heavy-duty equipment.
3. Ensuring Lateral Balance: Throughout the adjustment process, maintain uniform tension on both sides of the conveyor belt. The tension deviation between the two sides should not exceed 5% to prevent uneven tension from causing belt misalignment (tracking issues).
4. Test Run and Verification: After tensioning, secure the tensioning device and start the conveyor, allowing it to run unloaded for 30 minutes to observe its operating status:
If slippage persists, gradually and appropriately increase the tension further.
If the belt body becomes hot or excessive noise occurs, it indicates that the tension is too high; in this case, the tension must be reduced to an appropriate level.
II. Key Considerations for Tensioning to Prevent Slippage
1. Avoid Excessive or Insufficient Tension:
Insufficient tension results in inadequate friction between the rollers and the conveyor belt, directly leading to slippage.
Excessive tension accelerates the stretching, deformation, and surface wear of the conveyor belt, thereby shortening its service life. Tension must be adjusted to suit the specific operating conditions of the equipment; do not blindly increase tension.
2. Regular Re-inspection and Adjustment: After a PVC conveyor belt has been in use for a period, the belt body will naturally undergo slight stretching and slackening. Therefore, it is recommended to re-inspect the tension level after 1–2 weeks of operation and make timely adjustments to prevent the accumulation of slack from causing slippage.
3. Eliminate Other Causes of Slippage: If slippage persists even after adjusting the tension, it is necessary to investigate whether the issue stems from wear and aging of the roller surface or the accumulation of oil and impurities on the contact surface. Simply adjusting the tension cannot resolve such situations; the roller must be cleaned or worn components replaced in a timely manner.
