8 Basic Types of Belt Conveyor and Their Applicati
30th November 2021
1. Roller Bed Belts ConveyorAs the name suggests, the surface of this type of conveyor belt is made up of rollers that are selected to match production requirements, such as the weight or required speed of the products that will move along the belt. Shorter conveyor belts that fall under this type can be made up of just two rollers. However, as the distance between the two ends of the belt increases, more will be needed for the belt to function.
2. Flat Belt Conveyors
The flat belt conveyor belt is one of the most prevalent conveyor systems in use today. Flat belts are useful for internal conveyance, i.e. transporting items within a facility. This type of conveyor belt uses a series of powered pulleys to move a continuous flat belt, which can consist either of natural material or synthetic fabric (ex. polyester, nylon). Items are placed on top of the moving belt and carried from one end to the other.
3. Modular Belt Conveyors
While flat belt conveyors use a single, continuous loop of material, modular conveyor belt systems use a single loop made of countless interlocked pieces, usually made of hard plastic. These segments can be removed and replaced individually, in contrast to having to discard the entire belt. They’re also easier to wash, as well as more resistant to sharp and abrasive materials. This makes modular belt conveyors simpler to maintain and repair than their flat belt counterparts.
4. Cleated Belt Conveyors
Cleated belt conveyors feature vertical cleats or barriers in their designs. These cleats can keep loose materials secure during inclines and declines, to provide consistent spacing between items, and more. Furthermore, cleats come in different shapes, each with its own application.
5. Curved Belt Conveyors
This type of belt conveyor uses a curved frame to carry items around corners, make tight transfers, or maximize available floor space. These belts’ curves can go up to 180°. True curved conveyors that do not have any straight runs can only use flat belts, as modular plastic belts require straight runs before and after curves.
6. Incline/Decline Belt Conveyors
Incline belt conveyors feature a center drive, gear motor, and take-up with a single or double nose. And instead of using a smooth-surfaced belt, this type of conveyor has a rough surface on the belt, ideal for carrying products up or down.
7. Sanitary and Washdown Conveyors
If you’ve ever observed how donuts are manufactured in their shops, you might have seen this type of conveyor belt in action. Donut shops and other applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries often involve harsh washing and sterilization, in compliance with safety guidelines. Sanitary or washdown conveyors are specially designed to withstand the sanitary procedures for these applications. Conveyors under this type are usually fitted with flat wire belts, which are rugged and easy to clean.
8. Specialty Conveyor Belts
There are several other kinds of conveyors tailored for different applications, although they are not as common as the previous types.
This article comes from elixirphil edit released