Conveyor Belts Demystified: A Breakdown of the Different Varieties Available

Flat Belt? Magnetic? Troughed? Something else? There are so many conveyor belt types that you need to consider while choosing equipment for your applications. Material type affects what kind of conveyor solutions you choose for your operation, but there is much more to consider when choosing the right conveyor belt. 

To achieve the best results, it is important to thoroughly understand the different types of conveyor belts and their respective advantages, disadvantages, and critical factors. In this blog, we will educate you about the pros and cons of commonly used conveyor belts and provide simplified technical details that will aid you in selecting the most suitable belt for your specific application.

Types of Belt Conveyors

Flat Belt Conveyor:

Flat rubber belt conveyors have a flat surface that facilitates the smooth transportation of materials. They are particularly suitable for moving lightweight and irregularly shaped objects, making them ideal solutions for applications that require precise and gentle handling of goods.

• Pros: Versatile, suitable for various industries and applications, easy maintenance
• Cons: Limited suitability for inclined or declined transport.
• Variables: Belt width, material type, speed control
• Industries: Manufacturing, logistics, food processing, automotive

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Troughed Belt Conveyor:

Troughed belt conveyors are highly efficient in carrying large quantities of materials over long distances without compromising their integrity. The troughing roller’s unique trough design prevents material spillage, ensuring the safe delivery of goods. This makes them an excellent choice for industries dealing with the transportation of bulk materials.

• Pros: Prevents material spillage, suitable for bulk material handling
• Cons: Higher initial investment, requires regular cleaning for optimal performance
• Variables: Trough angle, varied belt width of 500mm, 650mm,800mm,1000mm, 1200mm and 1400mm
• Industries: Mining, construction, agriculture, bulk material handling

Chute Conveyor:

Chute conveyors rely on gravity for vertical transportation of goods. This is accomplished through the use of a sloped channel which permits the material to slide or free-fall. 

• Pros: Simple design, space-efficient, energy efficient & versatile 
• Cons: Limited to free-flowing materials, limited control over material speed, regular maintenance is necessary
• Variables: Chute angle, material flow rate, discharge height.
• Industries: Mining, construction, agriculture, packaging

Wheel Conveyor:

Wheel conveyors, also known as skate wheel conveyors, transport goods along a fixed path using wheels mounted on axles. They are typically easy to install, used for light to medium-weight materials, and ideal for carton handling and sorting applications.

• Pros: Easy to install and operate, low maintenance, facilitates efficient product sorting and distribution
• Cons: Limited load capacity, unsuitable for heavy or irregularly shaped items, can generate moderate noise levels during operation
• Variables: Wheel diameter, conveyor length, load capacity
• Industries: Warehousing, distribution centers, retail

Roller Conveyor:

Roller conveyors are commonly used in industrial environments to transport heavy loads, pallets, and bulk materials along a predetermined path. These conveyors consist of a series of cylindrical rollers that are mounted on a sturdy frame and are powered by a rotating shaft to move the items.

• Pros: Excellent load capacity. Suitable for heavy items and pallet handling, can be customized easily
• Cons: Higher initial cost, regular maintenance is required, limitations in handling irregularly shaped items, can generate noise during operation
• Variables: Roller diameter, conveyor length, load capacity
• Industries: Manufacturing, distribution centers, logistics, automotive

Chain Conveyor:

As their name implies, modular chain conveyors use chains as the primary conveying element to transport goods along a fixed path. These chains are typically linked to attachments or slats, enabling them to handle heavy loads and work in harsh environments. Due to their durable construction and robust design, chain conveyors are widely recognized for their ability to withstand heavy usage and provide long-lasting service.

• Pros: High load capacity, suitable for rugged environments and heavy-duty applications, versatile, allows controlled movement
• Cons: Higher initial costs, regular lubrication and maintenance of chains is required, generates higher noise levels
• Variables: Chain type, conveyor length, load capacity
• Industries: Heavy manufacturing, automotive, steel industry

Bucket Conveyors:

Bucket conveyor systems are vertical conveyors that employ buckets attached to a chain or belt to transport bulk materials or granular products. These conveyors are widely used to handle materials in vertical or inclined applications because they effectively transport large volumes of materials over long distances. With their robust construction and high capacity, bucket conveyors are an ideal choice for industries that require efficient and reliable vertical material handling solutions.

• Pros: Ideal for vertical transport of bulk materials, offers precise material handling, space-efficient, allows consistent material flow and production rates
• Cons: Limited to specific materials, bucket size limitations, regular inspection of buckets is required
• Variables: Bucket size, conveyor height, material flow rate
• Industries: Agriculture (grain handling), mining, bulk material handling

Slat Conveyors:

Industrial slat conveyors transport goods using slats or plates attached to a chain or belt along a fixed path. They are particularly well-suited for heavy-duty applications and are commonly used in industries that require reliable and efficient material handling.

• Pros: Sturdy construction, suitable for heavy loads and rugged environments, easily customizable 
• Cons: Higher initial costs, limited to specific applications, requires regular maintenance, generates high noise
• Variables: Slat width, conveyor length, load capacity
• Industries: Automotive assembly lines, manufacturing, heavy-duty applications

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Screw Conveyor:

Screw conveyors utilize a helical screw blade that rotates to displace materials while moving along a fixed path within a trough or tube. These conveyors offer great versatility and can accommodate various materials, making them popular in diverse industries.

• Pros: Versatile, suitable for various materials and industries, compact design, gentle material handling, easily customizable
• Cons: Limited to specific materials and angles, requires regular maintenance, may require additional equipment such as variable speed drives or flow control gate, potential for clogging
• Variables: Screw diameter, conveyor length, material flow rate
• Industries: Food processing, chemical industry, wastewater treatment, agriculture

Magnetic Belt Conveyor:

Magnetic belt conveyor are a specialized type of conveyor system that utilizes the magnetic properties of ferrous materials to transport them along a predetermined path. These conveyors are equipped with a belt that contains embedded magnets, which create a magnetic field that attracts ferrous materials and facilitates their movement. Compared to other types of conveyors, magnetic belt conveyors are highly effective in separating ferrous materials, making them popular in industrial applications where ferrous material separation is involved. 

• Pros: Efficient ferrous material separation, suitable for recycling and metal processing, continuous operation, minimal maintenance 
• Cons: Limited to ferrous materials, requires regular maintenance of magnets, environmental conditions may affect the performance
• Variables: Magnetic strength, belt width, material compatibility
• Industries: Recycling, metal processing, mining

In addition to magnetic belt conveyors, there are other conveyor designs that cater to specific requirements. For instance, telescopic belt conveyors are useful in situations where the conveyor needs to reach longer distances. Similarly, flame-retardant and acid-resistant belt conveyors are ideal for industries dealing with hazardous materials. These conveyors provide businesses across industries with robust and reliable conveyance solutions.

Read More: Telescopic Belt Conveyors

Conclusion: 

Familiarizing oneself with the strengths and advantages of each conveyor design can prove invaluable for industries seeking to optimize their material handling operations. Such knowledge can facilitate informed decisions, leading to enhanced efficiency and productivity. However, it is important to note that a combination of multiple conveyor systems may be required in certain circumstances.

Dhanvanthri Engineers specializes in the design, development, and distribution of custom factory and warehouse automation systems, including all types of conveyors. We offer a comprehensive range of products to improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize workflow. Check out our full range of products.

If you are still unsure which conveyor belt is the best fit for your operation or have yet to find one that meets your requirements, contact us to learn more. Our team of experts can provide you with the necessary guidance and support to help you make an informed decision tailored to your business needs.

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