Technical Area | Articles

Conveyor belts are present in almost all aspects of human
life from hospitality services to manufacturing processes. To a layman's eye,
these systems look simple, but actually, they consist of complex machinery and
differ between each other. This is why companies need to know which type of
conveyor belt they will need for their business in order to avoid damage or
financial loss.

If you are scouting the market for one, here are things to
consider when opting for a conveyor belt.

1.   
Know the specifications of your products

The choice of right conveyor belt depends
hugely on the products you intend to manufacture and its specifications.
Basically, you can’t use a conveyor belt for food processing to build cars and
vice versa, so you will have to be familiar with your future production
practice. There are several things to consider when it comes to choosing the
right conveyor belt for your products.

Firstly, observe the weight of your product since the
conveyor belt needs to be able to handle it in order to avoid damage or injury.
Dimensions are also important since the conveyor belt needs to have enough room
so your product can fit on the line from all sides. Also, the type of your
product is also an important factor since that will determine what kind of belt
you will need in the first place.

2.   
Give guide rails a thought

You don’t always need to use guide rails since certain
products can jam them and cause an obstruction on the belt. Guide rails are
used to preserve the position of a product transported on the conveyor belt and
thus improve the performance. They align product for transfer to another conveyor
and make sure that it is safely positioned on the belt and going to its
designated destination.

There are various guide rails and which one you will use
depends completely on your products and manufacturing process. However, don't
jump right into buying guide rails until you study the specifications of your
products since you might not need them.

3.   
Pick the right transfer system

Having a transfer system in place will make sure that your
products experience a smooth transition from one conveyor belt to another. It
will also help you load the goods on and off the conveyor belt with fully
automated processes. Depending on the type of your services and products, you
will have to decide which transfer system is the most beneficial to improve
your production.

For example, if you provide dry cleaning services, you won’t
use the same transfer system as used for bulky items in the factories. Also,
delicate and breakable items will need gentle handling and therefore an
appropriately calibrated transfer system to avoid damage and material loss.

4.   
Know available types of conveyor belts

Before you buy a conveyor belt, you need to make sure that
you are getting the right type. They use the same principle for operation with conveyor rollers or
chains to provide movement. Solid, general-use belts are the most common and used
systems usually made from rubber, polyester, neoprene, nylon or nitrile.

However, conveyor belts don’t offer only transportation and
can also serve to filter the particles or drain excess liquid. Woven metal
belts are used to dry, cool and heat foods, glass products and electronics, for
example, while transporting them down the production line. On the other hand,
plastic interlocking belts are very common in the food industry although they
require frequent maintenance and cleaning.

5.   
Consider the environment around the conveyor
belt

Conveyor belts may look indestructible, but they are
machinery just like any other and require special conditions to work properly.
Make sure that the conveyor belt is not surrounded by other equipment whose
residual materials and liquids can harm it. Also, make sure that your employees
know how to operate a conveyor belt before they start using it.

Paying attention to conditions that surround your conveyor
belt will both preserve your investment and respect workplace
safety. So, install the conveyor belt in the proper environment and respect
the recommendations by its manufacturer for the optimum performance. That way
you will hold the highest standard for your production processes and keep your equipment
functional for a long time.

All in all

Running a business is a responsible task and requires that
you are familiar with every aspect of the operations. One of those
responsibilities includes choosing the right equipment in order to bring
products and services to your customers. And with these things to consider when
opting for a conveyor belt you will easily find the appropriate equipment and
lead your business to success.