What is a Belt Conveyor?
Conveyor belt systems are mechanical devices that transport objects, they are common throughout all industrial applications. Conveyors are used in most material handling industries for transporting bulk materials, or packets and parcels. For example, the conveyors shown below are in ecommerce and warehouse environments.
How do they work?
Conveyor belts consist of a continuous loop of belt wrapped around and driven by one or more pulleys (known as drums) and powered by an electric motor. A metal plate bed or rollers normally support the belt from the underside. The pulley that is powered is called the drive pulley, whilst the unpowered is known as an idler pulley.
- The frame construction of a standard belt conveyor usually consists of a metal such as powder coated mild steel or stainless steel for example. The belt or conveyor surface belting itself is available in a wide range of materials, such as plastic, leather, rubber, and also coated fabric. Usually the belt is manufactured from several layers of material, the structural or strengthening layer of which is known as a carcass. For example, in fabric coated belts cotton is often used for the carcass, whilst the cover material might be PVC.
Environments where you might find belt conveyors:
- Mail sorting, Packing, and Parcel Depots
For fast distribution of products - Mines
To move coal, ores, or salt - In Airports
Used in baggage handling - Paper mills
To transport wood chips and also pulp - Farms
For moving crops, grain, or bales - Warehousing & Distribution
To transport stock to and from delivery area - Waste & Recycling Centres
For sorting refuse - Foundries
When transporting sand, also used in shot blasting - Production & Manufacturing
For moving parts, stock, and also dispatching goods
Post time: May-06-2024