The Conveyor Belt – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
You most likely know what a conveyor belt is. Some people call them belt conveyors and we also encounter our customers calling them various pet names like ‘the belt’ or ‘the mover thingy’. It all really means the same thing (even though technically a ‘conveyor belt’ is only belt part of the ‘belt conveyor’… but for the sake of this article it’s all one and the same thing.)
What is a Conveyor Belt?
Conveyor belts are a moving band that transports items from one place to another. Think of a supermarket checkout moving your groceries towards the cashier, or plates of sushi snaking their way around a Japanese restaurant on a tabletop conveyor belt.
These two examples are illustrative of fairly small conveyor belts. There are actually lots of different sized options with a wide range of uses from small indoor projects to colossal applications. You might find the largest belts used in recycling plants, construction projects or as part of huge systems spanning entire warehouses.
How do they work?
Conveyor Belts typically consist of:
- A belt: This is the continuous band that moves the materials. It can be made from various materials, such as rubber, plastic, or metal, depending on the application.
- A drive roller & tail roller: A motor powers the drive roller which drives the belt round. The tail roller is a non-powered roller at the other end of the belt.
- A frame: A structure to hold everything in place. It also gives a base for the belt to run on.
How long has the conveyor belt been around for?
Here’s a very condensed timeline.
- Early 1800s: The first conveyors emerged as hand-operated contraptions used to move cargo items on and off ships in port.
- 1892: Steam powered conveyor belt systems started being used in mining.
- 1913: Henry Ford introduced conveyor belts into his Model T assembly line.
- Now: Since then, conveyor belts have become a lot quieter. Most are now electric and you’ll also find solar powered ones. They are constantly evolving into ever more efficient and high-tech creations that can even self-clean themselves. They often form part of smart systems using sensors and analytics for super slick materials handling. You’ll also find them working in conjunction with robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
Types of different belts
What the actual belt is made of can change a conveyor belt’s function significantly. Here are the most common belts that we encounter.
Plastic Modular belts
This type of conveyor is very versatile. It can transport items horizontally, around corners and even up and down inclines. Plastic modular belt conveyors are very easy to wash down. This makes them ideal for food processing or for any industrial or pharmaceutical processes where strict hygiene is important.
PVC belts
PVC conveyor belts have a flexible structure and are used for light to medium-duty applications in dry environments. They are perfect for transporting boxes, textiles, and non-abrasive materials.
Polyurethane (PU) belts
PU conveyor belts are durable and used for demanding applications in a variety of industries. They can handle heavy loads, abrasive materials like chemicals, extreme temperatures, humidity, oil and hygiene-critical settings. The mining, pharmaceutical and food processing industries often use this type of belt.
Heavy Duty Rubber belts
These move heavy, sharp or rough materials that could damage other types of belts. They are resilient to constant friction and movement so you’ll find them used in industries like mining, construction and manufacturing.
The key benefits of conveyor belts
Whilst the mechanism of a conveyor belt seems like a simple machine, they play a vital role in the modern world. They efficiently and reliably move materials which increases productivity, reduces costs and improves safety across a wide range of industries.
Many conveyor belts are permanently situated. However, an increasing number have flexibility built in so that sections can be added or moved. This means you can change their usage and also make the best use of space or restricted areas – you’ll just need a little clever design know-how from someone like PJP Conveyors.
Thank you for reading our blog all about conveyor belts, we hope you have a better understanding of them. As a friendly conveyor manufacturer with a wealth of conveyor system knowledge, please get in touch on 01623 354473 if you have any questions.