Want to learn more about conveyor belts? This guest post article by Jeremy Axel is for you!
When was the last time that you or a coworker twisted your back lifting or maneuvering a product to get it into place? This is the problem that conveyor belts were designed to fix. Conveyors, also known as conveyor belts, are used to move materials through manufacturing and other industries where people would otherwise have to manually handle the products.
Conveyor belt systems utilize a series of belts and moving pulleys to bring products to and from various stations and stations to designated parts of the production process. Beginning with the loading of the goods onto the belt, conveyors work with gravity and can decrease labor costs by as much as 50%! By transporting materials through each stage of the production process, these simple systems promote safety and reduce errors in shipping procedures. For more detailed uses of conveyor systems, you can visit Fluent Conveyors here >> or continue reading on.
Solid,General-use Belts
Solid, general-use belts are the workhorses of industrial conveyor belts. When it comes to great performance, solid general-purpose belts provide a smart choice. They offer a range of handling properties and tough physical characteristics. This type of conveyor belt is standard equipment in most industrial establishments. They are also often used in offices where durability is the key factor. A popular industrial material for these belts is PVC because it is sturdy and stays flexible at low temperatures.
When considering your material selection for general-use conveyor belts, consider the following factors: Load-carrying requirements — You should evaluate belt performance under conditions of peak use. It is difficult to predict peak use without having data on your specific application. However, belts at extreme measure (high tensile force) or high rate (large number of parts per cycle) are often the main contributors to conveyor downtime. Working environment — Select materials that can withstand high temperatures, humid conditions, and other environmental work conditions.
Filter Belts
A filter belt is a flexible belt used in filter presses to separate solids from liquids, to filter out particles and contaminants, and sometimes to drain off excess liquid. This type of belt works with metal or synthetic fibers. Sub-micron sizes of particles are filtered out of the material as it moves along the belt’s surface. This belt works with negative pressure to filter materials, rather than working with positive pressure, which is sometimes used in conveyor systems.
Woven Metal Belts
Woven metal belts, also known as “weaving belts,” consist of a long strip of metal or wiring that is woven into a network. The metal may be flat, round, or have a rectangular cross section, and the length and width of the belt may vary according to the particular application. Woven metal belts are woven with interlinking chains of metal or wiring to allow airflow. This may be useful in any number of different processes, including heating, cooling or drying. Woven metal belts are most commonly associated with the food industry. They may be manufactured out of stainless steel, aluminum, alloy, bronze or plastic.
Woven Metal Belts are woven on-site to your specifications with the heaviest gauge steel available on the market. They are made to be reusable, economical, and easy to set up.Â
Hinged Belts
Metal hinged belts often feature a rubber coating. The belt is permanently attached to the pulley, and this allows it to rotate without friction. The flexible nature of the belt gives it two different sides. One side has a flat, smooth surface and the other consists of a series of ridges that rotate around the pulley system. These belts are ideal for small product, scrap, and recycling applications where belts need to flex into tight spaces while still offering a durable structure.
Hinged belts are an essential part of many machines, from conveyor systems to metalworking machinery. They keep your system running smoothly and prevent jams or other damage. With a metal hinged belt, you get a strong, reliable belt that is easy to change and can withstand years of operation. It’s a belt built to last.
Plastic interlocking belts
Plastic belts provide a reliable alternative to metal and fabric belts. In food handling, packaging, and automotive industries, these modular components work well in environments with frequent use and replacement. As a low maintenance option, they can be used with sanitation systems, such as high-pressure washers, to be cleaned frequently without threat of corrosion.
Most modular belts are made of interlocking plastic, which is extremely durable and easy to clean. The plastic belts have little dimensional changes when stretched, so they are very reliable for industrial applications. These modular belts are often preferred to metal or fabric belts in food-handling processes because they are easier to clean.
The uses of conveyor belts are endless, and there are many designs out there. All of them complement the application they’re used for. For instance, the belt has to be heavy-duty enough to carry around steel or other solid objects without causing damage.
Credits to Author Jeremy Axel
Jeremy Axel is the founder of Fluent Conveyors, they design and manufacture conveyors for Waste and recycling industries, Manufacturing, and Distribution centers across the United States. He is also known for building trusted relationships with conveyor dealers and reseller networks and developing advanced technological processes and tools that help them do their jobs more efficiently. Check his Website: http://www.jeremyaxel.com/