|
Information Page Links:
Featured Conveyor Belt Manufacturers
About Conveyor Belts
Conveyor Belting Terms
Conveyor Belt Associations
Conveyor Belts Resources
Trade Shows
Featured Conveyor Belting Articles
More Articles
|
|
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
http://rockproducts.com/mag/rock_six_steps_choosing/index.html
http://rockproducts.com/mag/rock_cleaning_conveyor_belts
Types
-
dissipate static electric charges on conveyors where static buildup
is undesireable.
-
minimize vibrations throughout conveyor systems, which is necessary
with misaligned pulleys. These vibrations slowly abrade and stretch
belts.
-
have crosswise insertions in the cover, made of materials like steel,
to decrease tearing by sharp conveyed objects.
-
are belts reinforced with cables. Made from various metals, these cables
add a great amount of strength along the length of the belt.
- is a
seemingly endless belt made for carrying materials from one place to another.
- 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.
- have
fin-like structures protruding from the belts themselves, making them
useful in applications such as catching containers and moving them into
boxes.
- are linear
belts used in conveyor systems.
-
– belts can be used in variable speed applications such as automobiles
and snowmobiles.
-
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.
-
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.
- have
a v-shaped profile. There are many variations of the v-belt, but most
are either standard or inverted.
-
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.
|
|