A belt drive provides power transmission besides gears, shaft couplings, lead screws, and chain drives. The use of portable conveyor belt keeps increasing each year. Advancements in belt technology have now resulted in an extremely efficient, durable, and safe conveyor belt.
Application
A conveyor belt that is designed to get products from point 1 to point 2 has different requirements than a belt used for accumulation, positioning, or indexing applications. In addition, the level of decline or incline determines the perfect belt option. Timing belts, cleated belts, and flat-top chains are the common choices you have. A conveyor belt that operates at room temperature and indoors has more flexibility. Whoever, belts that are exposed to harsh elements and extreme temperatures require specific belting.
Your Product
There is a need to take into account the materials or products being conveyed. Some of the vital details include the weight and size of your products. In addition, you need to consider product temperature and the nature of the products. Some products are considered to be aggressive especially if they have sharp edges. If you are conveying packaged materials, you should get a flat belt. This can also be used for handling heavy objects because it is sturdier. Pharmaceuticals require equipment that undergoes rigorous cleaning. Therefore, you should get a specialty conveyor belt that can withstand exposure to chemicals.
Material
The material of your belt is the most important factor to consider. Other specifications to pay attention to include operating temperatures, operating speed, working load, and minimum pulley size. Also, the material has an impact on the belt capacity. It is advisable to opt for conveyor belts made of PVC. This thermoplastic is suitable for general-purpose conveyor belts. If you are handling food products, this material is ideal because of its resistance to chemicals and oils.
Another common material used to make conveyor belts is rubber. This material is best suited for general use and can be used in conveyor belts in assembly lines, packing, and luggage transport. Most incline and decline conveyor belts are made of this material because of their ability to carry products with sharp edges. The good thing about a rubber belt is that it can sustain considerable abrasive damage when you work with materials, such as metal and rock.
Urethane is also used to make conveyor belts. It is quite popular because of its sanitary properties and flexibility. Ideally, this polymer has excellent elastic memory that allows it to stretch and regain its original shape despite the changing working environment. Moreover, it is easy to maintain and clean. This explains why it is used in the food industry. Also, if you are looking for a conveyor belt with the longest lifespan, you should consider those made of urethane.
Conclusion
Although the above are the obvious things to consider when choosing a conveyor belt, there are many others. For instance, you need to focus on conveyor length, operating speeds, tension, and pulley diameter. These conveyor belt parameters can be determined by your engineers and vary based on tour applications.
