May. 20, 2024
Rubber & Plastics
To submit a Request for Quote to any of the companies listed on our website, please complete the following form.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of conveyor belts.
Topics covered include:
A conveyor belt is essentially a looped belt that is driven around one or more pulleys. It operates using an electric motor and rests on a platform of rollers or a metal plate bed. The drive pulley powers the conveyor belt and is assisted by an unpowered idler pulley.
Pulley drives located at the conveyor belt's discharge end are known as head drives, while those at the infeed end are called tail drives. The most commonly used pulley drive is a head drive positioned at the discharge end, which employs pull force to move the conveyor belt.
The variety of types and uses of conveyors is virtually limitless. All conveyor systems serve the primary function of transporting materials and goods along a continuous path. While motorized conveyor belts are the traditional method, some systems use non-motorized rollers to move the materials.
Conveyor belt systems are utilized across various industrial environments and applications, boosting productivity, reducing labor costs, and decreasing lead times. These belts facilitate the quick and reliable transport, further assembly, or storage of large quantities of goods.
The widespread adoption of conveyor systems is primarily due to labor cost savings, efficient movement of goods, and the protection of products from damage. They deliver the most efficient service at the lowest possible cost.
A roller bed conveyor belt features a series of rollers selected to meet production requirements like speed, weight, and the type of products being moved. The number of rollers needed depends on the length of the belt.
These conveyors are ideal for conditions requiring higher weight capacity. The roller bed design minimizes friction, enabling smooth product movement.
A flat belt conveyor consists of a series of pulleys that move materials and supplies. These belts, made from natural or synthetic materials, are versatile and adaptable to various conditions and applications. They often feature a center drive and nose bars.
Modular belts consist of interlocked hard plastic pieces, making them easier to clean and resistant to sharp, abrasive substances. These belts can travel in straight lines, around corners, and up and down declines.
Cleated belts have sections, pockets, or dividers to secure products on inclines or declines. The cleats can vary in spacing, style, and shape, depending on the product type and belt design.
Curved belts are used to navigate corners, make transfers, and maximize floor space efficiently. Capable of "U" turns, they're made with flat belts and can turn at angles of 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°.
Various incline belts have rough surfaces or cleats to prevent material slippage. These systems allow the belt to move smoothly along its bed and can incorporate modular designs with cleats to enhance slippage prevention.
These belts move products downward or change their height. Similar to incline belts, they feature rough surfaces or cleats to prevent material slippage on a continuous conveyor system with a downward section.
Filter belts are used to remove excess liquid from components or filter toxins and contaminants. Constructed with lateral grooves and holes, they prevent liquid from soaking into the belt fabric by using sealed drainage holes.
Much like sidewall conveyor belts, filters can have sidewalls to prevent liquid spillage. They are made of heated polyester, polypropylene, polyolefin, or stainless steel mesh for dewatering purposes.
Timing belts are designed for precision indexing and product placement. These belts feature a timing pulley and idler pulley, ensuring the teeth of the belt match the pulley teeth accurately. They are ideal for accurate product placement.
A sandwich conveyor belt features two face-to-face belts, one on top of the other, which press and hold materials firmly. Adjusted using a rotating wheel, the materials are sandwiched and moved by the lower belt.
Static charges on conveyor belts are caused by friction and can lead to material sticking or even hazardous sparks under certain conditions. Anti-static systems dissipate these charges using anti-static or static-dissipative fabrics or carbon particles.
Conveyor belts resemble a connected band of rollers driven by a motor, available in widths ranging from one inch (25 mm) to ten feet (3 m). Constructed from robust materials, conveyor belts provide the necessary structure and traction for moving goods efficiently.
The motor in a conveyor belt powers the pulleys that move the belt. Adequate friction between the belt and pulleys is crucial for the system to function effectively. The motor moves the drive pulley, which in turn moves the belt.
Pulleys are strategically placed at both ends of the conveyor belt and near the drive motor. While the drive pulley powers the conveyor belt, the tail pulley provides tension and redirects the belt back to the drive pulley. This setup minimizes slippage.
The belt rests on a dead plate supported by rollers positioned outside and beneath the conveyor to facilitate smooth return. These rollers feature a spring-retained axle for easy installation and removal.
Conveyor belts come in various shapes, sizes, angles, and materials. Their design and type dictate their functionality, facilitating the transportation of materials from one location to another efficiently.
No matter the material used, all conveyor belts are designed for efficient movement of products, materials, and components. The product type determines the conveyor belt type and guides the selection process.
Conveyor belts fall into five general categories: metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, and leather. Each category features subgroups with unique characteristics.
Thermoplastic belts made of polyurethane, polyester, PVC, silicone, and polyethylene are lightweight and temperature-resistant. With interlocking segments that offer flexibility in motion, they serve as alternatives to metal and fabric belts for curving and incline/decline movements.
Woven or plate metal belts are known for their strength, durability, and rigidity. Made from stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon steel, they maintain their shape and run in straight lines without curving or turning.
Rubber has a long-standing history as a conveyor belt material due to its abrasion resistance and durability. Neoprene, nitrile, and styrene butadiene are the commonly used types, reinforced with cloth fabric for added strength.
Rubber belts are ideal for harsh conditions requiring abrasion resistance and impact absorption. The cloth reinforcement prevents stretching and deformation.
Cost-effective for short conveyor systems with lower capacity, fabric belts are made of synthetic layers treated to prevent elongation. Combining polyester and polyamide threads, these belts offer high tensile strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance.
Top covers for fabric belts include polyurethane (PU), PVC, and silicone, with rubber grades added for resistance to fire, heat, and wear.
The types of fabric conveyor belts include:
One of the earliest forms of conveyor belts, leather belts are still used for their durability, shock resistance, and good gripping abilities. They are suitable for hybrid conveying systems and come in various widths and thicknesses. Leather belts can be reinforced and coated to enhance their performance.
For more information, please visit Huaqiang.
Conveyor belts are ubiquitous in any industry requiring efficient movement of materials. They are integral to industrial operations, whether small or large, enhancing supply chain performance. Automated systems in complex facilities further improve efficiency, time-saving, and productivity.
From moving jewelry to rocks and coal, conveyor belts are fundamental for rapid and economical material movement.
Common applications include general and bulk material handling, food processing, and manufacturing/assembly operations.
Bulk conveyor belts move various products and raw materials like sugar, oats, fruit, flour, and nuts. In mining, they transport coal, minerals, and stones from mining sites efficiently, enabling the removal of minerals and refuse.
Ship loading conveyors unload trucks and move materials into ship holds, while unloading conveys materials from ships to trucks. These systems adjust to the ship's height using telescoping designs to accommodate different ship types.
Assembly operations use custom-designed conveyors to meet specific operational needs. With the rise of automation and robotics, belt conveyor systems are evolving to support computerized innovations and demands.
Varieties include chain, slider, hinged, plastic belt, and pallet conveyors, catering to the need for rapid and efficient material movement.
Essential in airports, belt conveyors ensure fast and efficient movement of packages and luggage. These systems must integrate seamlessly with other handling and checking systems, meeting reliability, safety, and maintenance criteria.
Every airport's belt conveyor system is tailored to its layout requirements, including angles, flow rates, and one- or two-way operations.
Designed to move parts of varying sizes and designs, including hot and oily parts from forging machines, parts belt conveyors are robust and made with durable materials to prevent spillage and withstand heavy loads.
Excavation belts move earth and materials through confined spaces like windows and doors. These high-load-capacity belts handle varying weights and can be easily positioned by a few workers.
Standards and regulations for conveyor belts are industry-specific, established by bodies like MSHA, FDA, CEMA, and OSHA. Rubber industry guidelines are provided by organizations like RMA and ARPM.
FDA regulations for conveyor belts relate to Food Contact Material (FCM) under Title 21, Chapter 1, sub-chapter B of the Code of Federal Regulations.
MSHA guidelines are detailed in sections 56, 57, 75, and 77 for surface and underground mining, covering coal and non-metal mining activities.
Focused on worker health and safety, OSHA's conveyor safety standards are outlined in section 1926.555, addressing safety stops, emergency stops, conveyor passes, and other protective measures.
Conveyor belting varies widely depending on the application, requiring different styles and materials. This blog post explores various conveyor belt types, their applications, and their construction materials.
The quintessential conveyor system, flat belt conveyors use a series of pulleys to move a continuous loop of material. They offer precise control of the conveyed products across various industries, adapting to different conditions, applications, and materials.
Flat belts can be laced or made endless, with tension pulleys ensuring tightness. Common construction materials include PVC, polyester, rubber, Kevlar, cotton, polyurethane, polyolefin, and nylon. Selecting the appropriate material is crucial due to varying conditions and applications. Rubber and PVC are cost-effective and commonly used, while polyurethane offers abrasion and chemical resistance. Kevlar suits high-temperature applications due to its flame resistance, with other materials tailored for specific needs like chemical resistance during production.
Roller bed conveyors are equipped with rollers designed to handle the weight and speed of conveyed products. The belt style varies based on the type of roller conveyor used, each with unique characteristics.
Similar to flat belt conveyors but supported by non-driven rollers. This setup, with only 5% friction, allows for moving heavier materials over longer distances using black PVC belts, typically 12-36 inches wide.
This system uses one or two motorized belts to drive all rollers, often featuring a Kevlar core with tempered polyurethane covers, as exemplified by Nitta's CFTG series.
Previous: How To Size And Select a Filter or Strainer
Next: 4 Tips for Choosing a Steel Reinforced Polyethylene Pipe
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )