It's an old saying in the belt conveyor industry that a conveyor system is only as good as the belt itself. Modern manufacturing techniques mean that the composition and strength of said belts has increased somewhat, but the old adage still rings true. Ultimately you need to have a good quality belt for the right circumstance. Here at CCL we have years of experience and planning regarding choosing the right conveyor belt for the job, and below we explore some of the considerations.
So what do I need to consider belt wise, when planning my project?
How fast will the product be moving?
What is the surrounding environment?
Is it hot or cold or dirty or clean?
Where does the loading occur?
How much does the product weigh?
What is the product made of?
Will there be an inversion or decline?
It is essential that you consider the above list before making any firm choices or decisions. Once you have given all the circumstances above consideration, you can start to think about the types of belt available.
Here we split belts into differing groups.
Generic Belts
These belts commonly will have been made from rubber, plastic/PVC, Polyester, Nylon and even leather. Again, they can often have an inner, outer or even several layers. They can fit several circumstances including:
Being resistant to cuts and lubricants
Having a high level of friction for going up and down - incline/decline
Being suitable for food/drink environments
Being suitable for cold/hot environments
Having troughs for handling bulk
Wire Belts
Wire or woven belts are often used in environments with really hot or cold temperatures, being extremely durable.
They can be used for:
Baking
Cooking
Freezing
Firing
Watering
Drying
Plastic Belts
These belts are durable, washable and light in their make up. They are often used in the following industries or uses:
Food production
Packaging and packing
Pharmaceuticals and medicines
Manufacturing and making
Metal Belts
These types of belts are usually used in circumstances where strength and durability needs are paramount, including:
Wet to dry circumstances
Hot temperature
Parts moving
Scrap
Recycle
You may now have narrowed down the type of belt required, but have you considered cleaning, repair, modification, expansion and maintenance? Again these are all important things to ponder.
As always we can help you through the thought process required here, reach out, we cant wait to hear from you.