Back to the Basics. Walk Before you Run...your Conveyor Belt!

As I watch my wobbly 9-month old son, Hunter, starting to pull himself up onto everything, it truly amazes me how much we learn in the first year of life. In the past couple of months, he has grown from the most helpless little thing to learning how to sleep at night, lift his head, roll over, eat, scoot, sit, crawl, and pull himself up to a standing position. All of which are giving him the strength and FOUNDATION to walk and eventually……run!

Clean, Safe, and More Productive Babies & Belts

Belt Cleaning

Proper cleaning is key! For as drooly, messy, and stinky as babies can be, they sure have a lot of requirements when it comes to cleaning.

• Sterilize those bottles (and make sure they're bpa free)
• Wash clothes in baby detergent
• Bathe with baby soap that doesn't contain harmful chemicals
• Clean their eyes from the inner corner to the outer corner
• Did that pacifier just fall on the ground?! Keep in mind the baby just licked the dog's tongue.

Just as the above points are essential, so is selecting the proper belt cleaner. Material type, blade width, proper tension, placement, and more are all crucial to get the cleanest belt possible. 

Maintaning belt cleaners is also a critical step in making sure they are efficient and productive. Just as some parents hire a nanny (that sounds really good while home officing with a busy toddler)  to ensure their children are taken care of at all times, some operations hire conveyor and belt cleaner management service. This allows staff to free up their time while the Mr. Blade® Team takes charge of your cleaning systems, ensuring optimum performance and results. 

Belt Support

“Support their head.” I think anyone who has ever held a baby has been told to “support their head.” When babies enter this world, they can’t even support their own head. We have to do it for them until they gain enough strength and control to support themselves.  

Just like a conveyor belt needs proper support to serve its purpose of transporting material from one destination to another. By supporting the belt, spillage, dust, excessive wear, and component/belt damage can all be reduced. 

Conveyor Safety

Safety, Safety, Safety! We always hear about safety in anything and everything that we do but I really think that baby proofing might take the cake. The amount of safety products that such tiny humans require has always amazed me. I often find myself getting down at "baby level" to see what he is seeing. With each new milestone, it is something new - outlets, sharp corners, cupboards, cords, small objects, fall hazards, curtains, cleaning products, toilet seats, car seats, hot water, cold weather, choking hazards...it never ends!

Similarly, conveyor safety is also of the upmost importance. Conveyors are extremely useful but also can be dangerous if not properly guarded against potential safety hazards such as trips/slips, pinch points, airborne dust, etc., 

• Conveyor Guarding
• Dust Control
• Inspection Doors
• Return Roller Guards
• Return Roller Baskets
• Idler Aligner

Belt Alignment

There can be one small thing throwing off a baby’s balance and they aren’t going to be able to walk. Babies need an even, safe surface to keep them on track.

Conveyor belts can get thrown off track just as easily. If one idler needs adjusted, the belt has a little bit of camber, or the load is not centered, the belt will misalign. By keeping the belt tracked, material spillage can be decreased and belt life can be extended. 

In order to make sure we are providing a clean and safe environment for both our babies and our conveyor belts, we must always refer back to the basics….the FOUNDATIONS™. Ensure you take those baby steps and walk before you RUN your belt!