A conveyor belt has become a prominent part of the modern material handling system. It allows for automatized and efficient movement of small or heavy materials from one area of the warehouse to another, which otherwise would require manual labor and consume a lot of time. Before the advent of conveyor belts, manufacturers and distributors relied heavily on humans for material handling, affecting product quality and threatening workers’ safety.
However, nowadays, with belt conveyors, the scenario has turned for good. With high-quality conveyor systems installed, workplace hazards have been reduced drastically, as has the rate of injured and tired employees. Airports, manufacturing plants, food processing units, etc., have become more productive as fewer workers are employed to carry out the jobs.
Conveyor Belts and their Benefits
Conveyors help large facilities better control their operations and generate more space for new functions. Other than that, they offer:
- Great versatility. Once you visit the market, you will be amazed to see many conveyor belting options, configurations, and customizations to meet your needs. Depending upon the materials’ size and weight to be conveyed, the distance to cover, the flow of materials, and how gently products are to be handled, there are unlimited opportunities that conveyors can provide you.
- Enhanced functionality. Conveyors can move in both directions and have complete control over the speed of moving objects. This proves immensely useful when materials must be moved between opposite ends of a unit or monitored for any breakage or loss. An inclined-based system also has an added benefit that allows the transportation of items to/from varying elevations.
Conveyor Belt Types and their Applications
Conveyor belts come in various options, offering innumerable applications and making them highly reliable for several major operations. They are the most suitable choice for industries that require the movement of items and materials at regular intervals in a cyclical fashion.
Following are some of the most widely used conveyor belt types, along with their applications:
- General-purpose belts. These are some of the most commonly used conveyor belts. They are typically made of rubber or fabric such as nylon, polyester, neoprene, or nitrile. You will normally see them in mining and milling industries, grocery stores, airports, etc.
- Plastic belts. These options are commendably lightweight and durable. They are commonly used for facilities prone to rust or extreme wear & tear. Some industries that use them include food production, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
- Hinged metal belts. As the name suggests, these belts feature metal construction and offer a stable, robust surface for small products, scraps, and recycling applications.
- Woven wire belts. They feature interlinking wiring (or metal) chains to facilitate the a product’s drying, cooling, or heating as it moves along the belt. Food, electronics, and glass-working industries are some of the industries that require these belts.
