Although the term ‘conveyor belt’ sounds effectively industrial in nature, these are actually used in many day-to-day activates. As the name suggests, a conveyor belt is an efficient way to transport materials from one place to another, usually in a controlled environment. While it is true that a conveyor belt is extensively used mainly in industrial setups, they are also used in commercial spaces such as shopping malls, airport luggage counters, and sushi restaurants and so on. The power and capacity of conveyor belts depend upon their usage, in restaurant settings, they are typically smaller and require less energy, while in commercial and industrial arenas they require a lot of energy to function.
How does a conveyor belt work?
A conveyor belt uses the mechanism of motors and pulleys. A thick, durable sheet of material- the belt is placed over them on which material that is being transported is placed. The pulleys are made to operate in the same direction and the same speed, and this makes the belt move in a certain direction. When the belt transports materials which are especially heavy, rollers are placed on the sides to provide extra support and avoid sagging.
What are the types of belting?
Depending on their uses, conveyor belts can either be lightweight or heavyweight. Lightweight belting is employed in most commercial settings and in certain industries. The belt is made of lightweight rubber and plastic and is covered in thermoplastic. These are mostly used in food processing, restaurants, airports, pharmaceuticals, packaging and so on.
Heavyweight belting is used in heavy industries which require quick and efficient transportation of heavy and bulky goods, such as mining, waste management and recycling, manufacturing units, power plants, steel plants, and so on. These are usually coated with special coating to make them heat resistant, since many of these industries work in higher temperatures.
What are the advantages of using conveyor belts?
A conveyor belt has a myriad of applications and uses in almost every industrial or manufacturing unit. They are massively used in heavy industries and food processing units. They have numerous benefits, as they are flexible and efficient and help in streamlining the production. Additional benefits can be as follows:
- They massively increase productivity by mechanising the transportation process, making it quicker and much more efficient.
- The product is not damaged during transportation since it is mostly always in view. Some conveyor belts also incorporate magnetic features, which do not allow the goods to topple over.
- Workers are not required to carry heavier loads by themselves to transport from one place to another, reducing chances of injuries and making work more efficient by employing these workers in other manufacturing activities.
- This system is easy to operate and quite durable.
Every industry has its own requirements for transportation and related activities. Using a conveyor belt makes the process easier, faster, more simplifies and affordable.