Flat Belt Conveyor Systems
Flat belt conveyor systems offer a high level of versatility. They can be used for low or high speed applications.
A gravity take-up assembly is usually employed on flat belt conveyors to preserve tension through gravity. Bend rollers will also be mounted to direct slack in the belt. This will reduce spillage and minimize belt damage.
Conveyor Design
Conveyor equipment is designed to reduce the need for manual handling. It moves materials, boxes, crates, luggage and other items from point A to point B – ideally in the most efficient way possible. Material handling involves moving raw materials, parts and products of all shapes, sizes, weights and quantities. This movement is accomplished with conveyors, cranes and other pieces of equipment.
The basic flat belt conveyor system consists of a belt, drive pulley, take-up pulley, and rollers on the frame. The center drive and gear motor are usually driven by an electric motor with a gearbox. The power required to move the belt and its load can be calculated by using the formula: P = 3.6 x D where A is the circumference of the drive pulley and D is the diameter of the pulley in meters.
Another way to calculate the required power for a flat belt conveyor is by measuring the live load in tons per hour (r) on the conveyor system. This can be done by dividing the total number of tons transported per hour by the speed at which the conveyor is operated in kilometers per hour.
The flat belt conveyor’s design eliminates the need for a cleated system, and it can be easily washed down to keep the cars clean. Geller says the flat belt also makes loading much easier since it doesn’t blow tires, bend wheels or knock front ends off. It is an ideal choice for today’s exotic vehicles.
Conveyor Material
Flat belt conveyors minimize product damage and reduce labor costs. Flat belt conveyor They are also easy to operate and provide a quick return on investment.
They can be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending on the weight of the products and the speed required for transporting them. Fabricated conveyor belts include a wide range of choices such as fabric, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, and other synthetic materials. They also include a choice of belting that includes smooth, tacky, cleated, anti-static, and food grade options.
Fabric ply conveyor belts consist of several plies or layers that are made from cotton Flat Belt Conveyor Manufacturer or synthetic fibers incased in rubber and covered with a runner. This type of flat conveyor belt is a heavy-duty option for high speeds and small pulley diameters. They are designed to accommodate shock loads and offer better abrasion resistance than fabric cord flat belts.
Modular belt conveyor systems feature a single loop that is comprised of countless interlocked segments that can be removed and replaced individually, allowing for faster maintenance. They are ideal for sanitary environments such as wash down areas or slow assembly lines and are able to handle small, soft, or irregularly shaped items.
Depending on the application, the conveyor can be built to accommodate steep or gradual inclines or declines, allowing the operator to engineer their system for specific applications. Sidewall conveyor belts are often used for this purpose. They can be constructed from corrugated or smooth material and are available in a range of heights.
Conveyor Installation
A conveyor belt isn’t something you can simply plug in and expect to work properly. It requires precise installation and maintenance to keep things running smoothly. Even minor errors can have major ramifications for your entire system. Thankfully, these issues can often be caught and resolved before they cause larger problems.
One of the biggest issues with conveyors is material spillage. This is especially common around transfer and load points and can lead to blockages that result in downtime. To prevent this, install an impact bed or skirt clamp to reduce the chance of materials slipping off the conveyor belt.
Another problem is inconsistent belt tracking. This occurs when the conveyor belt is not properly aligned with the head pulley and tail pulleys. This can lead to uneven tension in the belt, which will then create a wavy pattern that causes it to slip and cause damage to the conveyor system as a whole.
To avoid this, it is essential to have the head pulleys crowned, and other belt tracking measures should be considered depending on the application and operating conditions. In some cases, it may be advisable to also crown the tail pulley. Once the system is set up and tracked correctly, it is important to slowly increase speed while constantly monitoring the tracking and making any necessary adjustments.
Conveyor Maintenance
While blockages can occur at any point along a conveyor system, it’s possible to prevent many of them by conducting regular maintenance. These maintenance tasks should include checking all of the system’s components for any sharp edges or surfaces that could snag or pierce items passing over them. They should also check for any dirt, debris or residue that could cause problems down the line. Inspecting each component for these issues is important, as it helps to avoid the kind of random occurrences that can be difficult and expensive to fix once they’ve occurred.
Keeping the conveyor belt clean is another important step. This is especially important since a buildup of dust, grime or residue can interfere with the smooth running of the belt. It’s also important to keep the snub rollers on the system in good working order, as these can help to create more tension in the belt and ensure it tracks correctly. Finally, it’s important to check the frame of the conveyor system for any signs of crookedness or mistracking, as these can throw off the whole system.
Performing maintenance on a conveyor system isn’t a job that should be taken lightly, as it often involves dealing with significant amounts of electricity. It’s always best to work with a professional maintenance team when working on conveyors, as they can help to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are followed.