This is a contributed story by Jeremy Axel, Founder of Fluent Conveyors.
Conveyor belts are a crucial component of any manufacturing factory or warehouse. Without a conveyor belt, an assembly line will come to a grinding halt. Conveyor belts enable you to easily move heavy objects from one place to another. However, it’s critical to know the conveyor belt types and which type of conveyor belt you’ll need for your business.
Suppose you’re considering an investment in a conveyor belt for your business. In that case, you want to know the different types of belts and how they relate to the needs of your business. A good choice of belts can potentially increase company profits and streamline inventory.
Roller Bed Conveyor Belts
Conveyor belts from roller bed conveyor belts can handle various products. For example, you run an industry that processes food in bulk right in the production house. In that case, this provides a safe and easy way to move products from stage to stage. They can also be used for bulk material storage, for storing large containers while they await processing or movement. In addition, these commonly available conveyor belts can even be used for transporting vehicles from place to place until final delivery. This has been accomplished by using straps with clamps attached to them that allow vehicles to be lifted from their tires and then carried on the belt until they reach their destination.
Heavy-duty rollers support the surface of roller bed conveyors. Unlike a chain conveyor belt, where chains support the weight of everything that moves along it, rollers keep this type of conveyor belt from sticking into the products as they move along the length of the belt. Roller bed conveyor belts have been used for many years now.
Usage
Roller bed conveyor belts are endless conveyor belts with curved rollers instead of the commonly used flat ones. The roller bed design allows high-capacity lifting and straightening capabilities, also known as “straight-line lifting” as well as the ability to handle uneven loads. In addition to being more efficient, roller beds have an extremely long life cycle compared with conventional conveyor belts. Roller conveyor belts have various applications, including port operations, machine manufacturing/factory floors, food packaging, postal sorting offices, and airport baggage handling systems.
Flat Belt Conveyors
A flat belt conveyor system is a type of conveyor belt that utilizes a flat, flexible material to transport items. The flat belt is used almost exclusively for internal conveyance within a facility, meaning it is not typically exposed to the elements and is not used to transport items outside of the facility.
Trucks and heavy machinery can damage flat belt systems in use, so they are generally restricted to indoor settings. They are also used to carry smaller loads due to their weight capacity limitations. Electric motors or gearboxes typically drive flat belts, and belts must be inspected regularly for wear and tear. Flat belts can reach speeds of up to 690 feet per minute (ft/min) but are generally limited to around 100 ft/min for safety reasons.
There are several advantages to using a flat belt conveyor system in your facility. Flat belts have been known to last 10-20 years when properly maintained, which means you can avoid costly maintenance fees over time. In addition, they do not require lubrication while in use and require less energy than other types of conveyors.
In order to maintain your flat belt system, regular inspections by trained professionals from Fluent Conveyors are highly recommended.
Flat belt conveyor systems greatly rely on a series of powerful pulleys to enable the movement of the flat belt continuously. This can consist of either synthetic or fabric materials. The belts are separated from one another by cleats, raised edges that help keep the material from shifting as it moves. A series of rollers beneath the belt keeps it in proper alignment.
Usage
Flat belt conveyors are commonly used in manufacturing operations, especially those that deal with bulk materials such as grains, cement, coal, and frozen foods. In addition to bulk materials, flat belt conveyors are also used to carry packaged products between manufacturing and storage facilities. There are many flat belts on the market; however, if you want to make sure you get the best possible product, we recommend you to visit this well known, trusted by global brands conveyor website.
Modular Belt Conveyors
Modular belt conveyors are the newest addition to the conveyor belt world. These systems use a single, continuous loop of material that splits into countless interlocking segments that can be removed and replaced individually. In comparison, conventional flat belts use a single loop that’s discarded if there’s a tear or wear point. Modular belt conveyors also have the ability to be washed, which is particularly important in dairy, vegetable, and other food packaging applications.
Usage:
Modular belt conveyor systems are used in many industries, including food processing, chemical plants, machine shops, printing facilities, textiles, recycling centers, medical laboratories, and much more. They’re well-suited to intricate setups requiring smaller amounts of material to be transported at a steady speed. The main reason for this popularity is the ease of replacing individual belt segments in modular systems.
Curved Belt Conveyors
A Curved belt conveyor is a special type of belt conveyor. It uses a curved frame to carry merchandise around its corner. It can make tight transfers and maximize available floor space. These belts curve into 180-degree rotations. The curvature may be formed by a C-frame or box frame with up to three axes of rotation about the vertical axis. Because the items being conveyed pass over the same frame, the frame must also rotate about its base feet.
Usage:
Curved belt conveyors are essential in carrying items around corners, making those fast transfers, and helping maximize floor spaces. Their ability to bend around corners can also be used in situations that straight belt conveyors would not be suitable for.
Cleated Belt Conveyors
Just like the curved belt conveyors, Cleated conveyors are ideal for moving materials in a tight space. They feature vertical cleats that hold onto packed materials while a support structure holds the belt in place. Offered with non-skid shoes to protect against contact, these conveyors also come with a one-piece design. The final output is an affordable stripping cart handling your bulky and heavy loads.
There are several design features for cleated belt conveyors. The most common of these is the vertical cleat or barrier found on the inside walls of conveyor belts. These can be flat, with parallel ridges, but the most common variant is the V-shaped design with tines along one side and ridges on the other. Besides keeping loose materials secure, these vertical barriers keep products stable by keeping them aligned. This helps reduce maintenance and improve productivity.
Incline/Decline Conveyors
Incline conveyors, also commonly referred to as the 2-way inclined belt conveyors, feature a gear motor, center drive, and take-up with a single or double nose. A single nose configuration provides one start/stop switch while a double nose configuration has 2 switches. These belts move products at an angle and are ideal for moving bulkier items that need to be elevated over small distances. Incline/decline belts have a variety of applications from food processing plants to factory floors where companies produce large quantities of goods at high speeds. In some facilities, incline belt conveyors are actually used in conjunction with another type of belt conveyor called the decline belt conveyor to carry products side to side.
Usage:
Commonly seen in the mining industry. Incline /decline conveyor belts are used for transporting bulk materials like coal, ore, grain, sand and others from one level to another level. The inclination of the materials is done by a special collection device in these types of conveyor belts which rotates to push the materials in the direction of the incline or decline.
Takeaway
There are so many different conveyor belts available today, all with varying characteristics. As a result, it’s important to do extensive research before deciding which belt is perfect for your individual application.
