User Manual

General safety and design considerations 3
Introduction (continued)
Special considerations
When correctly applied, the FlexLink family of compo-
nents are safe to use and maintain. It is however neces-
sary for those responsible for design, installation,
operation and maintenance of the FlexLink installation to
be aware of certain areas where special attention is
required.
All drive units with slip clutch
• Before adjusting the slip clutch it is necessary to
remove all objects from the chain to remove any
remaining chain tension.
• Adjustment should be conducted in accordance with
the maintenance procedures.
• All drive units, except the direct drive units, are fitted
with transmission chain covers. these covers must be
fitted before unit is operated.
Note
The slip clutch is not a personnel safety device, but a
device to protect the conveyor equipment.
End drive units
• The chain slack (catenary) of the end drive units must
be maintained during the system lifetime.
• If side plates are fitted, the chain must be shortened if
the chain becomes visible below the level of the side
plates.
• The opening between the links when they turn round
the end roller could be a risk. Drive ends should not
be accessible during conveyor operation wherever
possible.
For coupled drive units, safety protection should be
applied to the connecting shaft.
Intermediate drive units
• The area near the guides for the return loop of the
chain should not be accessible during conveyor oper-
ation.
Catenary drive unit
• The ‘bridge’ area where the chain goes down into the
drive should not be accessible during conveyor oper-
ation.
Horizontal bend drive unit
• The drive wheel and the transmission chain should
not be accessible during the conveyor operation.
Idler units
• The opening between the links when they turn round
the idler roller could be a risk. Idler ends should not be
accessible during conveyor operation wherever possi-
ble.
Wheel bends
• Guarding may be required at wheel bends depending
upon location of bends and load applied to the con-
veyor.
Cleated chains
• Any application incorporating cleated chains requires
careful safety consideration. Pinch and shear points
are generated throughout the assembly of the incor-
porated components. Therefore generous guarding
should always be employed to fully protect within user
operating limitations.
• There is a higher risk of product damage when using
cleated chains. Special attention must be given to
operator access in the event of products becoming
trapped or similar.
Maintenance
The maintenance routine of FlexLink conveyors should
also include procedures to ensure that the guarding
remains securely fastened and effective (if not inter-
locked via control system etc.).
FlexLink components are continuously reviewed to
improve performance either by design modification or
material upgrade. In all these reviews user safety is our
primary consideration.
All associated technical data are retained at the man-
ufacturers address.
Control system
Before operating or completing any maintenance on con-
trol system, read the associated section as supplied with
the equipment documentation.
If there are any questions as to the safe operating pro-
cedures of the equipment supplied, please contact Flex-
Link Systems immediately.