Conveyor belt
What is a conveyor belt?
The conveyor belt system consists of two or more pulleys with a connected ring carrying the equipment – the conveyor belt itself – that rotates around them, creating a tensile effect for the goods it carries. By electric force, one or more pulleys are started to work and the power is increased, and this causes the belt and the devices on it to move forward and along the system. Belts are made up of one or more layers of material. It is common for belts to have three layers: an upper cover, a central cover and a lower cover. However, there are cases where more layers are required depending on the goods being transported on the conveyor system.
The purpose of the center layer is to increase the strength and shape of the conveyor system, and it is often made of fabric or metal that has warp and weft. Thread refers to longitudinal ropes and, because it is responsible for the level of resistance and tension of the belt, defines the moving characteristics of the belt. The fabric represents a set of transverse ropes that give the strap resistance to cuts and impacts, while at the same time being very flexible to ensure that the system does not break easily
Introduction What is a conveyor belt: Conveyor belt is a means of transportation of the conveyor belt system, which is one of the different types of conveyor systems today. Every conveyor system needs a conveyor belt for proper operation and performance. Different tasks can vary depending on the required weight, required speed and operating power in the conveyor system.
The most common materials used in the center layer include steel, polyester, nylon, cotton and aramid; While these constituents of the upper and lower layers are usually different rubber or plastic compounds that are identified in the use of belts. If the conveyor system carries heavy goods, due to its high strength and durability, steel conveyor belts can be used. Steel conveyor belts are made of steel wire compared to lower strength conveyor belts that use polyester, nylon and cotton. On the other hand, the lower strength of the materials used in the belt reduces the amount of energy consumed for operation and at the same time increases the life of the product and increases productivity.
Conveyor belt history
Conveyor belts have been used since the 19th century. It was in 1892 that Thomas Robbins patented a series of inventions that led to the development of conveyor belts for carrying coal, ore, and other products. Henry Ford introduced conveyor belt assembly lines at Ford Motor Company, which enabled mass production.
Application of conveyor belts
Conveyor belts can be used in various industries but are very popular in the distribution and warehousing space as well as in the manufacturing industry. Due to the compatibility of conveyor systems, they can carry a wide range of different weights, lengths and equipment and can be used in most industries. Conveyor technology is used to move people in public places, including places to pick up luggage at the airport, escalators in a mall, carry skiers on a slope, and so on. In some cases, conveyor belts are too long to carry equipment and goods. Dubai International Airport has the longest conveyor system in the world for their cargo system, which combines different conveyor belts and features of a 39-mile cargo system
The main types of conveyor belts
There are two main industrial classes of conveyor belts. Depending on what your conveyor system will do, you will decide what kind of belt you need to carry your goods.
- Conveyor belts for carrying general materials: This type is used to move materials, products and equipment over short distances within a building or between buildings. These belts are used to move light and bulky items such as moving boxes inside the factory.
- Conveyor belts for carrying bulk materials: This is where the conveyor system must carry large volumes of raw materials, heavy materials, dry materials or metals. Examples of bulk materials include minerals, ores, coal, sand, rocks and chemicals, grains, flour and sugar.
