Conveyor belts – find manufacturers and suppliers

Conveyor belts are mechanical means of transport that are used for the continuous transportation of workpieces or materials over a certain distance.

They are an important component in many industrial and logistical processes and enable the automated, efficient movement of materials, both in production and transportation.

Below you will find how conveyor belts work, their structure, types and areas of application, as well as their advantages:

How conveyor belts work and how they are constructed:

A conveyor belt consists of a moving belt or strap that runs on idlers or pulleys and is driven by a motor. The belt of a conveyor belt is made of different materials, depending on the area of application. This can be rubber, PVC, metal, textile or even wire mesh.

Types of conveyor belts:

Conveyor belts differ both in terms of their construction and the materials used.

1. Rubber conveyor belts:
   These are among the most commonly used conveyor belts in industry and bulk goods technology.
   They usually consist of several layers of fabric or steel cord inserts with a rubber coating.
   Depending on the application, there are oil-resistant, heat-resistant, flame-retardant or chemical-resistant variants.
2. PVC conveyor belts:
   PVC belts are made of plastic materials with fabric inserts.
   They are particularly common in intralogistics and light industry.
3. PU conveyor belts (polyurethane):
   PU belts are particularly hygienic and wear-resistant.
   They are often used in sensitive production areas.
4. Silicone conveyor belts:
   These special belts are temperature-resistant and non-stick.
5. Plastic modular belts:
   These consist of individual plastic modules that are joined together.
   This creates robust and maintenance-friendly conveyor systems.
6. Wire belt conveyors / metal conveyor belts:
   These conveyor belts are made of steel or stainless steel wires and are suitable for extreme conditions.
7. Felt conveyor belts:
   Felt belts have soft surfaces and are used for delicate products.
8. Toothed belt conveyors:
   This design combines transport function with precise positioning.
9. Teflon or PTFE conveyor belts:
   These special belts have extremely good non-stick and temperature resistance properties.
10. Fabric belts:
    Fabric belts are made of textile materials with special coatings.

Conveyor belts can be differentiated according to their design features:

1. Smooth belts:
   The standard design for horizontal or slightly inclined conveyor sections.
2. Cleated belts:
   With attached flights or cleats for steep conveying angles or bulk material transport.
3. Corrugated edge belts:
   Have lateral boundaries to prevent material loss during inclined conveying.
4. Curved belts:
   Special designs for changes of direction in conveyor systems.
5. Magnetic conveyor belts:
   With integrated magnets for ferromagnetic workpieces.
6. Vacuum conveyor belts:
   Utilize negative pressure to hold light or sensitive products in place.
7. Mesh belts:
   Open structure for air, water or heat to pass through.
8. Double belt conveyors:
   Transport products between two synchronously running belts.
9. Inclined belt conveyors:
   For vertical or steeply inclined conveying paths.

Areas of application for conveyor belts:

1. Industrial production:
In manufacturing processes, conveyor belts are used to move products or materials from one production stage to the next.
They facilitate mass production and enable a continuous supply of material to assembly lines.

2. Mining and bulk material processing:
In mines or quarries, conveyor belts transport large quantities of bulk materials such as coal, ore or gravel.
Robust rubber belts, often with cleats, are used here to move heavy material over long distances and often in rough terrain.

3. Logistics and warehousing:
In warehouses and distribution centers, conveyor belts are used to move packages, boxes or pallets. They play a key role in conveyor systems and sorting systems.
Examples: Automated conveyor lines in large logistics centers.

4. Food industry:
In food processing, special conveyor belts made of hygienic materials are used to transport food products such as fruit, vegetables, meat or packaged food.
These belts are often made of easy-to-clean materials such as stainless steel mesh or plastic in order to meet the high hygiene requirements.

5. Airports:
Conveyor belts transport baggage from check-in counters to airplanes and back to passengers after landing.
Passenger conveyor belts are also used to transport travelers over long distances, e.g. at airports or train stations.

6. Agriculture:
Conveyor belts are used in agricultural operations to process and transport products such as grain, fruit or potatoes from the field or warehouse.

Advantages of conveyor belts:

• Conveyor belts enable a continuous flow of materials without human intervention, which significantly increases the efficiency of production or logistics processes.
• Materials can be moved over long distances and at high speed.
• They reduce the need for manual labor and thus lower labor costs.
• Automated conveyor belts contribute to occupational safety by handling the lifting and transportation of heavy or hazardous materials.
• There are a variety of conveyor belt systems that can be adapted to specific industry or production requirements.

Conveyor belts are an integral part of modern industrial production and logistics. They enable the efficient movement of materials and products over short or long distances and make a significant contribution to automation. There are a variety of conveyor belt systems that have been specially developed for different applications, from food production to mining. For belt conveyor systems in particular, the safety regulations and EMC requirements can be found in EN 620:2002 and in the type C standard in accordance with EN 1070:1998.

Here are the most important criteria to look out for when buying conveyor belts:

When purchasing a conveyor belt, several factors should be considered to ensure that the system meets the requirements of your application:

• The belt material is determined by the intended use:
• Rubber or PVC are ideal for general industrial applications.
• Metal is suitable for high temperature applications or heavy loads.
• Food-safe materials such as plastic or stainless steel mesh are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• The conveyor belt must be designed for the weight and type of material being transported. Select the belt thickness according to the required load capacity.
• The size of the belt should suit the space available and the products to be transported. The width and length must support the material flow in the production line.
• Consider whether the belt should run horizontally, inclined or vertically. Ascending conveyors require special structures or belts with cleats.
• Temperature, humidity, dust and chemicals in the environment can affect belt life. Choose materials that are corrosion resistant or heat resistant if necessary.
• An easily accessible and low-maintenance system can maximize uptime and reduce maintenance costs. Look for easily replaceable parts.
• Conveyor belts should have safety features such as emergency stop switches, protective covers and automatic shut-off mechanisms to prevent accidents.
• Calculate the total cost of ownership in relation to the longevity and maintenance costs of the system. A high quality belt can be more cost effective in the long run.

By considering these aspects, a conveyor belt can be selected that meets the requirements of the specific application and ensures efficient operation.

Conveyor belts can be sourced from a variety of suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Conveyor belts from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.