Conveyor belts are widely used in industries such as food processing, manufacturing, and mining. They are also useful for moving goods from one place to another. But what exactly is conveyor belt material?
Conveyor belts are long metal or plastic chains that move materials along. The belt moves at high speeds, usually between 20 and 100 feet per minute (6.1m/s – 30.5m/s).
Conveyor belts can be made of steel, aluminum, rubber, or other materials. Some conveyors are designed to carry heavy loads, while others are lighter and meant for transporting smaller items.
A conveyor belt is often part of an industrial machine, like a forklift truck. It may also be used on its own to move materials around a factory floor.
In the past, conveyor belts were mostly made of wood. However, today’s manufacturers use more durable materials, including metals, plastics, and rubber.
When choosing a conveyor belt, you need to consider several factors. These include:
• Material type
• Load capacity
• Application requirements
• Cost
There are three main types of conveyor belts:
• Metal
• Plastic
• Rubber
Metal conveyor belts are typically made of stainless steel or galvanized steel. Galvanizing is a process where zinc is applied to the surface of steel. This makes it corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel has similar properties but does not contain any iron. Both types of steel are strong, tough, and resistant to heat and chemicals.
Metal conveyor belts come in two basic styles: flat and round. Flat belts have a smooth, flat top and bottom surfaces. Round belts have a curved cross section.
Plastic conveyor belts are lightweight and flexible. They are commonly made of polypropylene or nylon. Polypropylene is a synthetic polymer derived from propene. Nylon is a manmade fiber that comes from petroleum.
Rubber conveyor belts are soft, pliable, and resilient. They are often used for light duty applications. Rubber conveyor
belts are available in various colors and patterns. Manufacturers offer them in black, white, gray, blue, red, yellow, green, orange, purple, brown, and silver.
Load Capacity
The load capacity of a conveyor belt refers to how much weight it will safely handle before breaking down. A conveyor belt with a higher load capacity can handle heavier loads than one with a lower load capacity.
If your business uses a conveyor belt to transport products, you should choose a model with enough load capacity to meet your needs. For example, if you plan to transport large quantities of raw materials, you might want to look into a conveyor belt with a load capacity of up to 1 ton (2,000kg).
If you only need to move small amounts of product, however, you could opt for a conveyor belt with less load capacity. You would likely find that these models cost less money.
Application Requirements
Some conveyor systems are designed specifically for certain applications. For instance, some conveyor systems are built to move large volumes of product quickly through factories. Others are built to move small batches of product slowly.
You should think about the application requirements when choosing a conveyor belt. For example, if your company manufactures a product that requires a lot of handling, you might want to invest in a conveyor belt that can withstand rough treatment.
If your business produces a single item, you might want to buy a conveyor belt that is easy to clean. Cleaning a conveyor belt is usually as simple as wiping off dirt and debris.
Cost
Depending on what kind of conveyor belt you purchase, there may be additional costs associated with setting it up. Some conveyors require special tools and equipment. Others need to be connected to power sources.
Once you know what kind of conveyor you need, you can shop around for the best price. The most important thing to remember is that the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value.
Conveyor Belts – Types of Conveyor Belts
1) Steel Conveyor Belts.
Steel conveyor belts are generally considered to be the strongest and most durable type of conveyor belt. They are also relatively inexpensive. However, they do not flex well. If you need to use a steel conveyor belt where flexibility is required, then you should consider buying an alternative option.
Steel conveyor belts are ideal for moving heavy loads over long distances. They are typically used in industrial settings such as food processing plants, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.
They are also suitable for transporting large items like machinery, furniture, vehicles, and even animals.
2) Plastic Conveyor Belts.
These types of conveyor belts are popular because they are extremely lightweight and flexible. They can be easily bent and shaped without causing damage. This makes plastic conveyor belts ideal for conveying delicate goods.
However, plastic conveyor belts cannot carry very high weights. They are often used in applications that involve moving light loads or items that don’t weigh too much.
3) Rubber Conveyor Belts:
Rubber conveyor belts are made from rubber and other synthetic materials. They are commonly used in industries that produce low-cost consumer goods. These include grocery stores, convenience stores, and retail outlets.
4) Polyurethane Conveyor Belts :
Polyurethane conveyor belts are similar to rubber conveyor belts. They are made from polymers and synthetic compounds. They are more expensive than rubber conveyor belts but have longer lifespans.
5) Fiberglass Conveyor Belts.
Fiberglass conveyor belts are strong and durable. They are used in industries that manufacture products that require strength and durability.
6) Composite Conveyor Belts.
Composite conveyor belts are made by combining two or more different materials together. They are stronger than traditional conveyor belts and offer better performance.
7) Aluminum Conveyor Belts..
Aluminum conveyor belts are lighter than their steel counterparts. They are also cheaper. They are good for moving smaller loads over short distances.
8) Vinyl Conveyor Belts..
Vinyl conveyor belts are great for moving products that will be handled gently. They are also useful for moving items that are sensitive to impact.
9) Stainless Steel Conveyor Belting.
Stainless steel conveyor belts are designed to last. They are usually constructed using stainless steel plates welded together. They are sturdy and reliable.
10) Copper Conveyor Belts.
Copper conveyor belts are durable and resistant to corrosion. They are therefore ideal for environments where water is present.
11) PVC Conveyor Belts..
PVC conveyor belts are affordable and easy to install. They are also versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. They are especially useful when you want to move small amounts of product.
12) Flexible Conveyor Belts (Fabricated).
Fabricated conveyor belts are made out of woven fabric. They are flexible and can bend around corners. They are ideal for use in factories and warehouses.
13) Heavy Duty Conveyor Belts.(Roller Conveyors).
Heavy duty conveyor belts are the most common type of roller conveyor. They are widely used in industry to move heavy loads.
14) Chain Conveyor Belts.
Chain conveyor belts are used for moving heavier loads. They are generally found in factories and warehouses. They are also used for moving heavy equipment.
15) Belt Conveyor Systems.
Belt conveyor systems consist of multiple sections connected together. The sections are linked by rollers. Each section has its own motor.
16) Pneumatic Conveyor Belts.
Pneumatic conveyor belts are powered by compressed air. They are popular because they can be controlled easily.
17) Hydraulic Conveyor Belts
Hydraulic conveyor belts are driven by hydraulic motors. They are typically used in manufacturing plants and industrial facilities.
18) Motorized Conveyor Belts(Motorized Roller Conveyors).
Motorized roller conveyors are driven by electric motors. They are the most efficient conveyor types available.
19) Sliding Conveyor Belts/Slide Conveyors.
Slide conveyors are sliding belts. They are used in situations where there is limited space. They are particularly useful for transporting large quantities of product.
20) Self Propelled Conveyor Belts /Self-Propelled Rollers.
Self propelled conveyor belts are driven directly by an internal combustion engine. They are commonly used in mining operations.
21) Rubber Conveyor Belts.
Rubber conveyor belts are inexpensive and easy to maintain. They are suitable for light weight applications.
22) Plastic Conveyor Belts..
Plastic conveyor belts are lightweight and cost effective. They are often used in food processing industries.
23) Tensioned Conveyor Belts/.
Tensioned conveyor belts are driven at high speeds. They are used in applications such as paper mills.