Although each belt conveyor is somewhat different, it shares many common components. A conveyor consists of a continuous rubber belt stretched between terminal pulleys. One end is the tail. This is usually where the loading of the cargo takes place, but loading may take place anywhere along the length of the conveyor, and conveyors with multiple load zones are relatively common. The other end of the conveyor is called the head. The cargo is usually discharged at the head, but with the use of plows or trippers, the load may discharge anywhere along the conveyor’s length.
A belt conveyor is a relatively simple piece of equipment.
The belt is supported along the top (carrying) side with flat or troughing rollers called idlers. Troughing rollers form the belt into a U-shape that increases the cargo capacity of the conveyor. On the bottom (return) side of the conveyor, where the belt returns to the loading point, the belt is supported with return idlers. The rolling components are mounted in frames and supported by a steel structure called the stringers. In some applications, such as underground or overland conveyors, the rolling components of the conveyor are mounted on suspended wire ropes.
Usually electrically powered, conveyors’ drive motors are most often located to turn the conveyor’s head pulley. The motor(s) can be located at any point along the conveyor. Multiple motors are often used on long or heavily-loaded conveyors.
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A tensioning device, called a take-up, is used to make sure that the belt remains tight against the drive pulley to maintain the required tension in the belt to move the belt and cargo. Most common is an automatic tensioning device referred to as a gravity take-up, which uses a counterweight to create tension in the belt. The gravity take-up is often installed near the drive pulley on the return side of the belt. Bend pulleys are used to direct the belt into the take-up pulley, which is attached to the counterweight of the gravity take-up.
Another type of pulley, called a snub pulley, is often placed immediately after the head pulley on the return side of the belt to increase the contact of the belt with this pulley, allowing a smaller drive pulley to transmit the required tension to the belt.
The cargo is usually loaded near the tail end in an area referred to as the loading zone. The components of the loading zone will likely consist of a loading chute, tail pulley, idlers, belt-support systems, skirtboards, wear liners, dust seals, entry seals, and exit seals.
A conveyor’s head, or discharge, end will usually consist of the head pulley, a discharge chute along with a belt-cleaning system, a dribble chute, and other equipment to monitor and maintain flow.
A transfer point is where the bulk material moves from on piece of equipment to another. A transfer point can be either a loading or discharge zone, or in the case where one conveyor is feeding another, one transfer point can contain both the loading or discharge zones. However, a transfer point could also be where a belt feeds another bulk-materials handling or processing system or where the belt receives cargo from another bulk-materials handling or processing system. These systems might be storage vessels of any type; cargo carriers such as trucks, railcars, barges, or ships; or other pieces of process equipment.
Depending on the conveyed material, a variety of other ancillary equipment may also be installed along the run of the conveyor or in the transfer point at the other end.
7 Types of Conveyor ComponentsConveyor Components and What They Do
At Bearing-Belt and Chain, we are proud to offer our clients a wide range of conveyor components to suit their needs and unique applications. Using our industry experience, we have carefully selected only the highest quality brands and products to help keep your conveyor running well while minimizing downtime and extending your conveyor’s overall life. Below are 7 types of conveyor components along with an explanation of the important role that they play in a conveyor system.
7 Types of Conveyor Components and What They Do
- Bearings-Pillow Blocks / Take Ups
- A pillow block bearing is a pedestal that is often made of cast iron or steel that the conveyor uses to provide support. Take up bearings are part of a guide that aligns conveyor tracks.
- Belting-Heavy Duty / Light Duty
- Both heavy and light duty belting is the material that helps move objects along the conveyor and support the load. Heavy or light duty belting is chosen based on the application in which the conveyor belt is being used.
- Chain Drives-Roller Chain/Engineered
- Both roller and engineered chain are types of drive chains. They each have their own advantages that make them more suitable for certain applications. Roller chain is one of the most common chain types and engineered chain is ideal when extreme durability and strength is needed.
- Flexco Fasteners
- According to Flexco, “Choosing the proper mechanical belt fastener system is one of the most important steps in splicing a belt. Combining surprising strength and durability with affordability and easy installation, mechanical belt fasteners are a smart repair option — especially if your priority is a quality splice completed in short order.”
- Idlers-Balls & Roller
- Both ball and roller idlers are used to keep the conveyor belt rolling.
- Pulleys- Drum/Wing/Lagged/Motorized
- There are multiple types of conveyor pulleys including drum, wing, lagged, and motorized. Conveyor pulleys are an essential part of a conveyor and help change the direction of the belt, drive the belt, and can add tension to the belt.
- Skirt Board Rubber
- Skirt board rubber is used around a conveyor belt to help control dust while also controlling any product spillage. Additionally, it helps product conveyor belt components and reduces any risk of potential damage.
Components of a Standard Belt Conveyor
Although each belt conveyor is somewhat different, it shares many common components. A conveyor consists of a continuous rubber belt stretched between terminal pulleys. One end is the tail. This is usually where the loading of the cargo takes place, but loading may take place anywhere along the length of the conveyor, and conveyors with multiple load zones are relatively common. The other end of the conveyor is called the head. The cargo is usually discharged at the head, but with the use of plows or trippers, the load may discharge anywhere along the conveyor’s length.
A belt conveyor is a relatively simple piece of equipment.
The belt is supported along the top (carrying) side with flat or troughing rollers called idlers. Troughing rollers form the belt into a U-shape that increases the cargo capacity of the conveyor. On the bottom (return) side of the conveyor, where the belt returns to the loading point, the belt is supported with return idlers. The rolling components are mounted in frames and supported by a steel structure called the stringers. In some applications, such as underground or overland conveyors, the rolling components of the conveyor are mounted on suspended wire ropes.
Usually electrically powered, conveyors’ drive motors are most often located to turn the conveyor’s head pulley. The motor(s) can be located at any point along the conveyor. Multiple motors are often used on long or heavily-loaded conveyors.
A tensioning device, called a take-up, is used to make sure that the belt remains tight against the drive pulley to maintain the required tension in the belt to move the belt and cargo. Most common is an automatic tensioning device referred to as a gravity take-up, which uses a counterweight to create tension in the belt. The gravity take-up is often installed near the drive pulley on the return side of the belt. Bend pulleys are used to direct the belt into the take-up pulley, which is attached to the counterweight of the gravity take-up.
Another type of pulley, called a snub pulley, is often placed immediately after the head pulley on the return side of the belt to increase the contact of the belt with this pulley, allowing a smaller drive pulley to transmit the required tension to the belt.
The cargo is usually loaded near the tail end in an area referred to as the loading zone. The components of the loading zone will likely consist of a loading chute, tail pulley, idlers, belt-support systems, skirtboards, wear liners, dust seals, entry seals, and exit seals.
A conveyor’s head, or discharge, end will usually consist of the head pulley, a discharge chute along with a belt-cleaning system, a dribble chute, and other equipment to monitor and maintain flow.
A transfer point is where the bulk material moves from on piece of equipment to another. A transfer point can be either a loading or discharge zone, or in the case where one conveyor is feeding another, one transfer point can contain both the loading or discharge zones. However, a transfer point could also be where a belt feeds another bulk-materials handling or processing system or where the belt receives cargo from another bulk-materials handling or processing system. These systems might be storage vessels of any type; cargo carriers such as trucks, railcars, barges, or ships; or other pieces of process equipment.
Depending on the conveyed material, a variety of other ancillary equipment may also be installed along the run of the conveyor or in the transfer point at the other end.