In this article
ERIKS starts a savings chain reaction
Productivity and cost-efficiency on the move
Industry Sector:
Construction
Application:
Chain conveyors
Actual Saving:
£100,000
Payback period:
2 Months
Product/Service:
- Klik-Top Chain
Customer Benefits:
- Increased reliability
- Greater sustainability
- Long-term cost-efficiency
- Minimised operational downtime
A conveyor carries a huge load. Not just parts or products, but also the weight of keeping production running and the burden of keeping downtime to a minimum. So when ERIKS inspected a customer’s chain conveyor system, just like the conveyor itself, one thing led to another.
The customer’s immediate issue was damage to skid boards, but the bigger picture revealed far wider implications – and far greater opportunities for positive benefits.
Challenge
Wooden skid boards are used to carry product along the customer’s chain conveyor system. The steel U-type attachments on the conveyor were damaging the skid boards – and occasionally the products.
The damage to the products meant a reduction in productivity and cost-efficiency. The damage to the skid boards meant more frequent breakdowns and less reliability. Wood splinters and fragments from the damaged boards were finding their way into the conveyor mechanism and rotating equipment – such as bearings – leading to equipment failure, downtime, and increased maintenance costs.
Damaged skid boards also meant more waste, more frequent replacements and greater environmental impact through increased use of raw materials (in this case: wood).
As a World Class Manufacturer, the customer is focused on reducing waste in all its forms, and on reducing production stoppages resulting from mechanical failure.
Solution
A solution was required which would fit seamlessly into the existing conveyor system, with minimal disruption during installation. After an on-site inspection, ERIKS suggested a joint site visit with a Renold engineer for a better understanding of the issue.
After the visit, ERIKS proposed the use of Renold Klik-Top™ Chain, which is designed specifically to reduce damage to conveyed goods and to simplify and minimise mainteance.
The Klik-Top fixes onto the chain with one click, and can be removed just as easily – so replacement only takes a moment. There are no sharp edges in contact with the conveyed goods, and when the chain passes over the sprocket the clip’s rounded edges prevent any damage. In addition, as the Klik-Top fits over the pins, it protects the chain’s bearing areas from dirt and other contamination.
The customer initially ordered 20 Klik-Top Chains for a three-month trial of compatibility and effectiveness.
Conveyor system used to transport materials
Result
The Renold Klik-Top Chain was quickly and easily fitted onto the existing conveyors, with no installation issues or interference from rivets, or other components or equipment. The chain runs without causing any damage to skid boards, which in turn means no wood splinter shavings to fall into the rotating equipment, causing breakdowns and downtime.
The chain components last longer, which increases the reliability of the conveyor system, optimises productivity and reduces replacement costs. The Klik-Top Chain also requires no lubrication for four years, which represents a further saving on lubricants and labour costs.
Lastly, the reduction in damage to skid boards means fewer replacements are required, which leads to less waste, and greater sustainability through a reduction in wood consumption.
Renold Klik-Top Chain
On completion of the three-month trial, the customer ordered Renold Klik-Top Chain for their whole conveyor system.
