Designing The Perfect Conveyor To Handle Your Materials
One of the challenges of implementing a conveyor belt is that these systems cannot simply be purchased off a shelf. They must be designed specifically for the application that the conveyor belt will be placed under. Also, if the conveyor belt is not designed well, it can contribute to a plant shutdown. Once you analyze the materials you will be transporting, you will be able to determine what specifications and features your belt will need.
The Belt Speed
Belt conveyors are designed to transport material in a continuous direction on the top part of the belt. Therefore, the first step in designing the conveyor belt is to analyze the material that will be transported on the conveyor. For example, if the materials need to be conveyed quickly and are not fragile, the conveyor belt will be able to be designed with a faster belt speed. However, even if a faster conveyor belt can convey the materials safely, the belt will also wear out more quickly, which might increase repair costs.
The Belt Strength and Width
Depending on the weight of the conveyed material, the belt frame might need to be toughened so that it can bear the weight without failing. Both the size and quantity of the material conveyed on the belt will determine the belt width. The most economic decision is to use a belt width that is the absolute minimum necessary to convey the material.
Conveyor Covers
While the most basic conveyor is simply a belt, pulleys, the frame and the motor, more sophisticated conveyor belts will come with several other features that may or may not be necessary for a particular conveyor. For example, conveyor covers prevent the surrounding environment from coming in contact with the conveyor. This is necessary if the material being handled is fragile.
Hoppers
The hopper is designed to make it easier to load materials onto the conveyor. The top of the hopper is wider, allowing large quantities of material to be loaded through the hopper and onto the conveyor belt. The hopper narrows at the bottom to control where the material is added to the conveyor. If the material is relatively large, the hopper might not be useful.
Cleaning Devices
Cleaning devices will remove sticky materials, dirt and debris while the conveyor is still in operation. This will reduce the amount of maintenance needed to prolong the life of the conveyor belt. The methods used by the cleaning device are based on the types of materials handled.
While there are numerous other factors to consider, these are some of the most common specifications that you will need to consider when designing your conveyor belt. But once the belt has been designed properly, your business will be much more efficient.
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