Although long term storage (greater than six months) is not the most recommended practice, DUNLINE® understands the need for customers to receive and store rubber belts (RB) to meet the requirements of their production schedules. The ideal storage scenario for rubber belts is to retain them in their original shipping container, as the containers have been designed to accommodate the RB in its natural oval shape and obviously offer a high level of protection.
If there is a requirement to remove the RB from the container, it should be suspended on a smooth cylindrical form having a diameter of roughly (40) inches or (1) meter. Belts that are stored this way must be protected from various forms of harm (i.e., exposure to ozone producing electric motors or generators, welding equipment, large concentrations of chemicals or petroleum vapors, moving machines, temperature extremes, environmental changes and/or direct sunlight). NOTE: Some discoloration is part of the natural property of rubber as it ages and considered normal during storage. A superficial “kiss” grind after installation will easily remove and regenerate the belt’s surface.
Ultimately we recommend keeping the RB covered with a colored plastic, inside in a naturally quiet, relatively dark, and nominally temperate environment. IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to prevent compression set, the RB should be rotated by a quarter turn twice a month.
Upon receipt of a DUNLINE® RB, it is recommended that the shipping crate be inspected for any damage, signs of liquid spill, and that the inspection panel be opened (it is only necessary to remove the one top and two side bolts) to view the RB inner surface and partially view the interior of the crate. Once the inspection is complete, the inspection panel should be reattached to protect the RB. DUNLINE’S® preference is that the RB be stored at the customer site prior to installation for a period of no longer than six (6) months from date of receipt. NOTE: For longer intervals, we recommend removing the RB from the box and rotating it by a ¾ turn before replacing it in the box. There is no need to remove the plastic on the belt when performing this step.
As a precautionary note, we would like to advise that with any natural rubber product there is an element of uncertainty in the product retaining all its properties as it ages. This applies to a RB in production, as well as, a RB being held in storage. Therefore, it is ultimately impossible to predict how a RB will change as it sits in a crate – particularly for long periods of time – or to advise the maximum time period the RB may be stored. However, if the above recommendations are followed, it will certainly help to avoid any type of detrimental situation that could affect the RB.
Finally, to err on the conservative and logical side, DUNLINE® always recommends purchasing a RB close to the required date of installation, so that the storage time is minimal and the RB is at its optimum state.
Should you have any questions concerning these instructions or have difficulty installing the rubber belt, please contact us via beltinfo@dunline.com , Fax 843-374-3104 or PH 843-374-3102.
The above comments and suggestions are meant to be useful to the user, but in no way constitute a warranty, either expressed or implied.