The belt conveyor plays a crucial role in the industrial sector, especially in bulk material handling processes. It is a popular choice for conveying powders and granules in manufacturing plants due to its efficiency and versatility. With numerous options available in the market, it’s essential to select the right belt conveyor for your manufacturing plant.
This guide explores the different types of belt conveyors and their specific applications, providing valuable insights for senior technical plant managers.
Belt conveyor types
Flat Belt Conveyor
The most common belt conveyor is the flat belt conveyor, consisting of a flat belt material stretched over several pulleys. It is used for moving materials horizontally or at a slight incline and is ideal for transporting light to medium loads.
- Application: Primarily used for horizontal or near-horizontal material transport.
- Layout suitability: Ideal for both short- and long-distance runs within a single plane. It is commonly used in assembly lines, packaging, and sorting operations where a straight path is required.
- Technical considerations: It can handle a variety of load sizes and shapes but is less effective at steep inclines due to potential slippage of materials.
Cleated Belt Conveyor
This conveyor has cleats or barriers on the belt surface, providing extra support for materials moving at steeper angles. This design prevents the powders or granules from sliding back.
- Application: Best suited for inclines or declines in the conveyor path.
- Layout suitability: Useful in multi-plane layouts where materials need to be transported at an angle, especially in tight spaces where a traditional incline conveyor would be too steep.
- Technical considerations: The height and spacing of cleats can be customised based on the granule size and angle of incline, ensuring minimal slippage and controlled material flow.
Incline/Decline Belt Conveyor
Specifically designed for moving materials vertically or at an angle, this conveyor is essential in facilities where space is limited. The angle of incline is adjustable to accommodate different types of materials.
- Application: Specifically designed for vertical or steep transport of materials.
- Layout suitability: Optimal for facilities with multi-level operations where materials need to be moved between different elevations.
- Technical considerations: The steepness of the conveyor is a critical factor and is balanced with the nature of the material to prevent slide-back.
Curved Belt Conveyor
The curved belt conveyor is designed with a curved frame that allows the conveyor to turn corners or navigate around obstacles. It is useful in complex plant layouts where a straight conveyor would be impractical.
- Application: Utilised for changing the direction of material flow within a plant.
- Layout suitability: Effective in complex layouts where materials need to navigate around obstacles or turn corners without transferring to another conveyor.
- Technical considerations: The curvature radius needs to be large enough to prevent material spillage while maintaining belt integrity and efficiency.
Slider Bed Belt Conveyor
In this system, the belt slides over a flat surface, reducing friction. This design is suited for longer distances and heavier loads, making it a good choice for transporting granules or powders over longer distances within a plant.
- Application: Suitable for longer, horizontal or low-incline runs.
- Layout suitability: Ideal for straight paths across long distances within a plant, such as in warehousing or distribution sections.
- Technical considerations: The friction between the bed and the belt needs to be managed, especially for heavier loads or longer distances, to ensure smooth operation and minimise wear.
Roller Bed Belt Conveyor
Unlike a slider bed, this conveyor uses rollers to support the belt. This reduces friction and allows for heavier loads and longer conveying distances. It is particularly effective for high-volume material handling.