Safe transport for piece goods and bulk materials: The belt conveyor

Belt conveyors are standard equipment for the internal transport of small products. They are used wherever a continuous supply and removal of piece and bulk goods is required. Their simple design and versatile use make them standard equipment for in-plant logistics.

Structure of a belt conveyor

A belt conveyor consists of four components:

Base frame
Drive roller
Tension roller
Conveyor belt

The base frame consists of a stable frame. Light and movable conveyors are mounted on rollers. With these, the unit can be moved to any position during operation. The drive roller is connected to an electric motor. This sets the roller in rotation. As a rule, the rotation speed is infinitely variable. This allows the conveying speed of the products to be adjusted exactly to the required processes. The tension roller ensures that the conveyor belt does not slip, but is moved continuously. The conveyor belt itself is made of a glass fibre-rubber mixture. It is very robust and is available in many versions. By replacing the belt, the conveyor can be used for different tasks.

Use of a belt conveyor

Belt conveyors are used in practically all branches of industry:

Heavy industry
Surface mining
Recycling and waste management
goods logistics
Production and automation

The primary task of a belt conveyor is to transport bulk and piece goods. At the infeed end, the conveyor is therefore usually loaded in a disorderly manner. Belt conveyors can be connected in series without any problems. They transport the piece and bulk goods not only vertically, but also horizontally up to a certain angle. For a series connection, the conveyors are therefore mounted with a slight incline so that the feeding unit is above the receiving unit. By using different conveyor speeds, the products placed on the conveyor can also be sorted.

Different types

The manufacturers of belt conveyors offer these devices in a very wide range. The range starts with heavy-duty conveyors, for example for open-cast mining or for the construction industry. These are designed to be weatherproof and can also transport heavy loads safely and reliably. In the production industry, on the other hand, belt conveyors are fast and highly precise. They are suitable for use in automated production. Belt conveyors are complemented by roller conveyors and plate conveyors. The only disadvantage of belt conveyors is that they can only convey linearly. By using these additional devices, any flow of products can be produced.