Conveyor Belting

About Conveyor Belts

A conveyor belt is a solid band made from one or more tough, long-lasting substances, upon which many different materials are conveyed. Conveying belts are made from a variety of materials, ranging from rubber compounds and leather to urethane and PVC to wire mesh composed of assorted metals, including stainless steel and carbon steel. A conveyor belt is an important part of conveying systems, which are used to transport materials from one point to another and to process materials for many industries. Multiple belting can be used to transfer power from one rotating shaft to another on conveyor systems.
 
Many different types of conveying belts are available for unique applications. For example, there are unique designs such as fin belts, which flex and catch fast-moving containers to separate and move them into their respective cartons. O-ring belts, also known as endless round belts, connect the outside edges of wide flat belts to chains along curves on conveying systems, so that the flat beds do not slip inward. An o-ring belt is useful because it does not require tension to operate like many others. Furthermore, there are types of conveyor belts that are manufactured to be resistant to harsh conditions and environments. These kinds are specifically made to resist very high or low temperatures and acid and chemical interference, as well as protect against other undesirable situations.
 
Many different industries use conveyor belts and systems to help manage materials more efficiently and reduce labor costs. Production, mining and shipping companies all make use of conveyor belting. Without a full conveyor system, these corporations would spend a large amount of time transporting their products within and outside their premises. Other examples of industries that use conveyance include food and beverage companies (with specializations like fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood), automotive and tire assemblies, electronics, pharmaceutical and medical, printing, mail sorting, tobacco and packaging.
 
There are a number of characteristics that differentiate one type of belt from another. Different sizes and groove shapes are one example. For instance, if the traction on a conveying system is an issue, a good choice is a deep slotted V-belt. Sizes also play a key role in determining belt configuration. If a mining company needs to load thousands of pounds of copper onto a conveyor all at once, the belt must be wide enough and strong enough to handle the load. Many conveyor belt manufacturers will design and manufacture uniquely shaped belts for specialty uses, such as food processing. Some belts feature raised stoppers or blockaded sections to more easily sort and package the food. No matter the use, choosing the proper belt is an imperative part of using these systems.

Featured Articles

“Six Steps to Choosing a Better Belt”
http://rockproducts.com/mag/rock_six_steps_choosing/index.html
 
“Cleaning Conveyor Belts”
http://rockproducts.com/mag/rock_cleaning_conveyor_belts

Types

• Anti-static belts contain no static prone materials such as carbon.
  
• Anti-vibration belts minimize vibrations throughout conveyor systems, which is necessary with misaligned pulleys. These vibrations slowly abrade and stretch belts.
  
• Armored belts have crosswise insertions in the cover, made of materials like steel, to decrease tearing by sharp conveyed objects.
  
• Cable belts are belts reinforced with cables. Made from various metals, these cables add a great amount of strength along the length of the belt.
  
• Endless round belts (o-ring belts) are single piece belts that use similar materials as o-rings. Urethane endless round belts are elastomeric, which means that they are designed to stretch and do not require belt tension.
  
• Fin belts have fin-like structures protruding from the belts themselves, making them useful in applications such as catching containers and moving them into boxes.
  
• Multi-speed – belts can be used in variable speed applications such as automobiles and snowmobiles.
  
• Rubber belts are uniform bands that are made of an elastic material that originates from the sap of various tropical plants. The rubber tree is the primary source for rubber-making materials.
  
• Twisted belts are designed to replace endless round belts that are damaged or destroyed. These belts are quickly and easily installed without needing to dismantle the drive shafts.
  
• V-belts have a v-shaped profile. There are many variations of the v-belt, but most are either standard or inverted.
  
• Wire mesh belts use metal instead of rubber or rubber compounds, made from a varying grade of stainless steel or carbon steel. The cooling characteristics make these belts useful for applications such as breading and cooling.