Solving a Challenging Conveyor Belt Motor Replacement Issue

Willie Gray and Tom Atkins worked with a local frozen fruit manufacturer to fix a rip in a cleated belt and to replace a motor. The rip was fixed in no time but the motor proved to be a challenge. Using the part number off of the defective motor, Davis ordered a new motor with the same part number only to find that the defective motor was custom to the OEM and the new motor's shaft did not fit the old gearbox. The OEM sent a new motor where the shaft fit but now the bolt holes did not align. Davis Industrial’s solutions specialist found a flange that would bridge the gap that would bolt the new motor and old gearbox together. Now the conveyor is up and running again.

Abstract:

When a local frozen fruit manufacturer approached Davis Industrial to fix a rip in a cleated belt and replace a motor, the latter seemed like a simple task. However, it proved to be challenging due to compatibility issues with the OEM parts. The motor's shaft did not fit the old gearbox, and when the OEM sent a new motor with the correct shaft, the bolt holes did not align. Davis Industrial's solutions specialist team, led by Willie Gray and Tom Atkins, found an innovative solution to bridge the gap between the new motor and the old gearbox using a custom flange. This paper outlines the steps taken by the team to solve this issue and discusses the importance of having experienced solutions specialists in the field of conveyor belt maintenance and repair.

Introduction:

The productivity of industrial operations heavily relies on conveyor belt efficiency. Any downtime due to maintenance or repair issues can result in significant losses. In such cases, having a reliable partner who can provide timely solutions is crucial. Davis Industrial is a leading provider of conveyor belt maintenance and repair services, with a team of experienced solutions specialists who are adept at solving complex issues. This paper discusses how Davis Industrial's solutions specialist team overcame this customer’s complex issue and highlights the importance of having experienced solutions specialists in the field of conveyor belt maintenance and repair.

Challenges Faced:

When Davis Industrial attempted to replace the motor, they found that the new motor's shaft did not fit the old gearbox. To address this, the OEM sent a new motor with the correct shaft, but when installed, the bolt holes did not align, making it impossible to install the new motor.

Solution Proposed:

Willie Gray and Tom Atkins of Davis Industrial's solutions specialist team found an innovative solution to bridge the gap between the new motor and the old gearbox using a custom flange. The team used their expertise and extensive network to specify and install the custom flange bolted the new motor and old gearbox together, ensuring a secure and efficient connection, and ensuring that the conveyor was up and running again in a timely manner. 

Conclusion:

This case study demonstrates how the Davis Industrial solutions specialist team solved a challenging conveyor belt motor replacement issue for a local frozen fruit manufacturer. Their innovative approach highlights the importance of having experienced solutions specialists who are adept at thinking outside the box and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. The team's custom fabrication capabilities and in-house design and manufacturing ensured that they could provide timely and efficient solutions for their client, minimizing downtime and losses. The case study underscores the importance of having a reliable partner for conveyor belt maintenance and repair services and the value of custom fabrication capabilities and in-house design and manufacturing.