Types of Conveyor Belts
Before purchasing a conveyor belts There are many choices to make, for example:
- What should the dimensions of the conveyor belt be?
- How heavy is the cargo to be moved?
- What speed should the belt conveyors have?
- etc.
The answer to these questions often comes down to going back to basics—what kinds of belt conveyors are actually available?
In this guide, you can learn about the different types of belt conveyors, their pros and cons, and some general tips and tricks. Hopefully, the guide below will help you when you’re ready to purchase a conveyor belt!
The most common types of conveyor belts
When it comes to types of conveyor belts, there are probably as many types as there are suppliers. However, the most common types are listed below, and you can read more about each type in the following sections:
- Conveyor belts with a disc bed
- Conveyor belts with roller bed
- Telescopic conveyor belt
- Chain conveyor
- Modular conveyor belt
Conveyor Belts with a disc bed
A conveyor belt with a slat bed—or metal bed, as it is also known—is probably the most common type of conveyor belt. In a slat bed, the belt itself (which can be made of rubber, PVC, etc.) rests on flat slats and slides over the bed as the motor drives the belt.
This type of belt conveyor is common because of its simple and cost-effective design—provided you’re not transporting overly heavy goods or packages, it’s a tried-and-true, reliable solution.
When ordering a belt conveyor of this type, it is important to consider the weight per package, as well as the total weight that is expected to be transported on the belt conveyor at any given time.
Do you run an e-commerce business that ships packages weighing up to 20 kg?
In that case, a belt conveyor with a slatted deck is likely the right solution for you.
Do you need to transport heavy loads? If so, it’s important to choose a belt and a pulley that generate low friction when the belt is running. If friction is too high, it will naturally place a heavy load on the motor (due to poor slippage) and cause excessive wear on the belt.
Belt conveyors with roller bed
As the name suggests, a roller-bed belt conveyor, unlike a belt-bed conveyor, is constructed using rollers. This type of belt conveyor should not be confused with a roller conveyor, where the goods are intended to be transported on rollers. On a belt conveyor with a roller bed, there is a conveyor belt just as usual (e.g., made of rubber or PVC), but instead of moving over a flat surface, the belt runs or slides on rollers.
So what is the main advantage of a roller bed? Friction is kept to a minimum!
Low friction means that heavy cargo can be transported, the conveyor belt can carry heavier loads over longer distances, and a less powerful drive system or motor is needed to keep the belt moving.
A roller-bed conveyor belt has more components and is therefore more expensive than a standard conveyor; however, this solution is more energy-efficient and can transport heavier loads.
Common industries where this type of conveyor belts is used include the mining industry, waste management, and agriculture. There are also applications in commerce and industry for companies that handle large or heavy goods.
Telescopic Conveyor Belts
Telescopic conveyor belts are conveyors with a narrow but highly effective application: emptying containers.
A telescopic conveyor belt is designed so that the belt can be extended by extending a section, often by 5 to 15 meters. At the other end, there is a counterweight, or alternatively, the conveyor is anchored to the floor to prevent the belt from tipping over when it is fully extended.
Some of the advantages often highlighted regarding telescopic conveyor belts include
- More efficient container unloading thanks to shorter walking and driving distances for staff
- Fewer loading and unloading steps, as goods can enter the sorting process directly
- Improved ergonomics for staff during container unloading.
Major manufacturers of this type of conveyor belts include Caljan Rite-hite, Feifer, and Loadmaster.
Chain conveyor
As the name suggests, chain conveyors are an ideal solution for heavy loads.
By using chains to move goods forward, it is possible to build a highly durable structure that can withstand both heavy loads and frequent use.
The most common solution, for example, is to transport pallets, crates, drums, or other load carriers using two, three, or more chains. This type of solution is often seen in industrial settings or large warehouses that handle a high volume of full pallets.
Chain conveyors are very effective at transporting goods along straight sections; however, if you need to change the direction of a pallet, for example, you’ll need some kind of transfer mechanism that can push the goods onto a new straight section.
The design of a chain conveyor—particularly its robustness—means that it is more expensive than, for example, a standard belt conveyor.
Modular belt conveyor
Unlike the other conveyors mentioned above, modular belt conveyors are not particularly common in standard warehouse operations—instead, they are a product that is particularly well-suited for industries such as the food and chemical sectors.
The name "modular belt conveyor" comes from the fact that the belt itself consists of modules (often made of plastic) that act like links. A major advantage of this type of belt conveyor is that it offers great design flexibility—it can be configured to form curves, spirals, and, of course, straight sections.
Another advantage is when transporting goods such as dried products or items that may drip—the modular belts can be hollow, which means there isn’t much spillage on the belt itself. Plus, they’re easy to clean.
Are you planning to buy a Conveyor Belt?
If you’re looking for one or more conveyor belts for your business, as you’ll notice, there are a few factors to consider—though the solution is usually quite obvious.
Do you need a customized solution for a very specific need? In that case, it might be wise to contact a manufacturer of new conveyor belts; with the help of an engineer, you can get exactly what you need.
Does your need seem a bit simpler—just straight transport from point A to point B? In that case, used conveyor belts are a very competitive option in terms of value for money.
If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us using the form below.
If you'd like to jump right in and see our selection of used conveyor belts, you'll find it here.
