The dictionary defines a conveyor belt as a continuously moving surface used for transporting objects from one location to another. This definition doesn’t capture how important your conveyor belt is to your business.
Your conveyor belt is essential equipment. How much do you really know about it?
Conveyor belt technology is straightforward. An electric motor powers the system.
The belt rests on a metal plate bed or rollers. One or more pulleys drive the belt.
Conveyor belts are available in several different types. They have the same basic parts, though. Learn more here about conveyor belt parts and how they keep your operations moving.
Belt
The belt is the most obvious part of conveyor belt systems. You have many conveyor belt options for the materials and belt size. The type of product you need to move and the purpose of the conveyor belt determine which type of belt is best for your application.
Conveyor belts can be made from:
- Thermoplastic
- Rubber
- Metal
- Fabric
- Leather
Each type of material has options within it. For example, choices for thermoplastic belts include polypropylene, polyethene, and acetal. Other options include a perforated top for drainage or a high-friction top to prevent product slippage.
Motor
The motor creates energy for the gearbox, which turns the pulleys. Motors can have different sizes, shapes, and horsepower depending on the conveyor system.
A 2hp or 3 hp motor may be sufficient for a small conveyor. Faster systems like sorters need a larger and more powerful motor. Motors use either AC or DC power.
You can control the speed and direction of the motor with a variable frequency drive or another speed control device.
Pulleys
Pulleys serve a variety of functions in an industrial conveyor belt. They provide stable motion. They maintain tension, tracking, traction, and direction for the belt.
A conveyor belt has several different types of pulleys. The drive or head pulley drives the belt. It has external bearings and is driven by a motor and reducer.
Some conveyor systems have a snub pulley. The snub pulley increases the friction between the belt and the head pulley.
Return, idler, and tail pulleys direct the conveyor belt back to the drive pulley. The tail end pulley is at the infeed for the conveyor section. It provides tension on the belt.
The take-up pulley manages tension for the entire conveyor. It can double as a tail pulley. In the lower part of the belt, the ideal location for the take-up pulley is as close as possible to the drive pulley.
Rollers
Rollers can support a conveyor belt or propel items without a belt. In a belt system, rollers support the belt as it returns to the infeed. Rollers are usually placed outside and underneath the conveyor.
Other types of rollers include weigh rollers and impact rollers. Weigh rollers are part of belt weighing systems. They allow functions like recording flow rates or checking inventory.
Impact rollers are rubber discs mounted on a steel tube. They cushion the belt and rollers from stress. They’re useful when loading takes place via free fall.
Most rollers are made from steel or stainless steel. Plastic and rubber are other options.
Steel rollers are very strong and durable. They provide excellent performance in heavy-duty applications. Steel is more affordable than plastic.
Plastic rollers are made from materials like HDPE or polyurethane. These materials are strong and lightweight. They’re quieter than steel.
Bearings
Bearings are the interface between moving parts on the conveyor belt. They help components rotate freely to reduce wear and tear. Other functions include:
- Providing support
- Reducing friction
- Helping the conveyor belt to move more easily
Bearings are important for many parts of the conveyor belt, like the rollers and pulleys.
Roller Bearings
Conveyor roller bearings press into the ends of the conveyor rollers. They help the rollers to rotate smoothly. Bearings are available in different sizes based on the tube diameter, tube gauge, and shaft size.
Roller bearings are typically made from stainless steel or thermoplastic. Plastic is corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, and non-conductive. However, it’s softer than steel and won’t handle the same loads and speeds.
Pulley Bearings
Pulley bearings are usually spherical. Each pulley shaft has one fixed bearing and one floating bearing. The bearings are made from materials such as cast iron, ductile iron, and brass.
Brakes
Brakes are an essential safety feature of the conveyor belt. Brakes let you control the speed of the conveyor. They also provide emergency stop capabilities.
Brake system options include:
- Drum brakes
- Disc brakes
- Calliper brakes
The best type of brakes depends on the operating conditions of your conveyor belt. An inclined or declined belt will have different braking requirements than a flat belt.
An emergency backstop brake prevents the belt from running in reverse unexpectedly. A high-speed motor needs a higher braking capacity than a low-speed motor.
Frame
Frames for quality conveyor belts are usually made from steel or stainless steel. Aluminium is also an option.
Common structural shapes include beam, truss, tripod, and supporting legs. The frame may have accessories like walkways or loading and discharge chutes attached. The design of the conveyor belt frame depends on factors such as:
- Loading
- Height of the operation
- Distance the conveyor system will cover
The frame must accommodate the belt width, length, and angle.
Frames can be fixed or mobile. Fixed frames have a long, stable service life. Mobile frames are useful when you need to change locations frequently.
Finding the Right Conveyor Belt Parts
Your conveyor belt is essential for your operations. When you need conveyor belt parts, getting the right parts as quickly as possible is also essential.
From belts and rollers to pulleys and bearings, you can rely on ANIS Trend. We have been designing and manufacturing robust conveyors for over 25 years. If a problem occurs with your conveyor belt, our highly skilled technicians will be on site to resolve the issue.
We will repair your conveyor belt parts if possible and replace them if necessary. We also help you avoid breakdowns with our conveyor belt maintenance services.
Contact ANIS today to learn how we can help you keep your conveyor working at peak performance.
