Mar. 17, 2025
Machinery
Have you been thinking about purchasing a conveyor, but don&#;t know how to decide which type of belt is right for your application? While you can always contact us to discuss your options with our application specialists, here are some of the conveyor belt basics you need to get started.
Please visit our website for more information on this topic.
For a more in depth explanation of the information below, visit our Belt Page.
Conveyor belts are on the front lines of your conveyor system. They come in scores of varieties, from lightweight to heavy duty, and in a range of surface materials and coverings. With such a vast selection, it&#;s important to find the right belt&#;and overall conveying system&#;for your business needs and industry requirements.
Fabric Conveyor Belts
The flexible nature of a fabric conveyor belt allows for small pulley diameters, simplifying integration and product handling. Fabric belts can be used in a range of applications, from lightweight to heavy duty processing, in countless industries such as material handling, automation and FDA food processing applications.
Modular Conveyor Belts
Modular plastic conveyor belts are long-lasting, simple to clean and sanitize as well as easy to maintain and repair. Additionally, the open surface area can be an ideal solution for cooling and draining applications. Our Modular Belt Conveyors come in a variety of types, including flat top and flush grid. You&#;ll find modular belts in a variety of industries, including bakery, food, industrial and more.
Flexible Chains
Flexible chains, sometimes referred to as table top chain, are ideal for complex layouts and wide ranges of environments. These durable belts are commonly used in bottling, secondary packaging, automation, general manufacturing and more. Dorner offers flexible chains on our FlexMove line and our AquaGard GT Series Conveyors.
When choosing your Dorner conveying solutions, the number of belting options may seem overwhelming, but it&#;s just about finding the best fit for your product and situation. In addition to your intended general application use, you&#;ll need to consider some other specs when determining which belt you need such as:
Temperature: Are you looking for a cold-use belt or one that can withstand high temperatures? Silicone holds up in extreme environments, making it an ideal material for cooking and baking industries. Polyethylene, however, is well-suited for lower temperatures.
Abrasion resistance: This is an important quality when dealing with items that can cause wear and tear on your belts. For example, the nature of the metalworking industry and other industries that might encounter sharp edges call for a durable belt that can withstand cuts, scrapes and punctures. Polyurethane and nitrile-butadiene rubber are highly rated for abrasion resistance.
Other considerations:
The last bullet point, color preference, might seem insignificant, but it&#;s not just for aesthetics.
The shade of a conveyor can come into play for many reasons. For one, a black conveyor surface is handy in picking situations where distinguishing colors from one another is important. A dark surface can also conceal runoff from inkjet printing. More importantly, color can correspond with the material type or use: Blue often relates to hygiene and safety and is often used in food-handling processes.
You can see a list of Dorner&#;s Standard and Specialty Belts and their properties HERE.
A leader in conveyance automation solutions, Dorner offers standard lines and highly customized systems. We&#;re also one of the few companies of our kind with an in-house belting cell operation. This means we&#;re able to partner with leading suppliers to offer custom conveyor belts and conveying systems that perform and last.
Dorner conveyor belts stand alone compared with our competition for a variety of reasons. Our in-house belting cell is peerless, carefully cutting, v-guiding, splicing, testing and inspecting all customer conveyor belts. We provide the highest-quality splicing, cleat welding and V-guiding techniques.
Our unique V-guiding enables supreme tracking and accurate product movement. Unlike other companies, we apply the V-guiding before the belt is manufactured so that the V-guide strip maintains its integrity for a seamless guide on the belt.
All vacuum conveyor belts are made at Dorner&#;s facilities to ensure peak part-holding ability and perforation pattern quality. Our team oversees quality assurance, translating into more reliable vacuum conveyors and systems for our customers.
Beyond Dorner conveyor belts&#; unrivaled quality, it&#;s important to highlight that our lead times are among the fastest in the industry. This can make all the difference in keeping a production line running in your business.
Link to HIHERO
Further reading:The Dorner team is happy to help you place your replacement belt order as well as provide information about our Parts Kit program so you have what you need in-house before you need it.
If you&#;re looking to replace a Dorner fabric or modular belt, your first step is to locate its serial number and model number. You will need these two pieces of information to make your request. Then you can complete and submit this form, and someone from our parts team will be in touch with you.
Cold storage facilities are all about precision and efficiency. Whether it&#;s a freezer or chilled storage, conveyors automate and streamline operations.
In a busy cold storage warehouse, improving productivity is key to staying ahead. Conveyors reduce manual labor, cut down errors, and ensure that your goods stay in pristine condition. In temperature-controlled spaces, the right conveyor is a lifesaver.
But cold storage isn&#;t without its challenges. From freezing temperatures and condensation to constant wear and tear, these environments demand specialized equipment. Choosing the right conveyor can also have a big impact on your production lines, supply chain, and operating costs.
So how do you make the best decision? Let&#;s break it down.
Cold temperatures aren&#;t just uncomfortable for people &#; they&#;re tough on equipment too. In cold rooms or food processing, conveyors can crack, motors can seize, and performance can drop if not built for the cold. Extreme cold can make standard conveyor materials brittle and compromise their lifespan. For businesses relying on the cold chain to move frozen foods efficiently, this can be a big problem.
Not all cold storage facilities are the same. A chiller room might hover around 34°F, while a deep-freeze environment can dip to -20°F or lower. Choosing a conveyor designed for your specific temperature range is crucial. For frozen or temperature-sensitive items, choose conveyors with insulated motors and cold-resistant materials for reliable performance.
Humidity and condensation can wreak havoc in cold storage. These elements can lead to slippery surfaces, rust, and even electrical failures. In food processing environments, selecting a conveyor with moisture-resistant components and proper drainage is essential. It&#;ll save you from constant maintenance woes and help keep your cold chain running smoothly.
The conveyor belt is the workhorse of the system, so it needs to be tough. Choose belts made from materials specifically designed to resist brittleness and cracking in low temperatures. This ensures reliable performance even in freezing environments and extends the lifespan of your equipment.
Rust is a conveyor&#;s worst enemy in cold, damp conditions. Stainless steel frames and rollers are your best bet for durability and corrosion resistance. They&#;ll keep your system running smoothly without succumbing to the elements.
Low temperatures can make some materials more prone to wear and tear. Opt for conveyor components that are abrasion-resistant to ensure longevity. Nobody wants to replace parts every few months because the cold has taken its toll.
Freezing conditions can make some motors perform worse than others. Sealed and insulated motors handle the cold without freezing or collecting moisture. These motors ensure that your conveyor keeps running smoothly, no matter how low the temperature dips.
Energy-efficient motors are a must in cold storage facilities, where power bills can skyrocket. Look for low-maintenance, high-efficiency motors to save on energy costs while ensuring reliable performance.
The drive system is another critical component. Whether chain-driven or belt-driven, ensure the system prevents slippage and withstands low temperatures.
Each has its perks. Belt conveyors are great for handling smaller items and ensuring smooth transport, while roller conveyors excel with heavier loads. Consider your product types and choose accordingly.
Modular conveyor systems are like the Swiss Army knife of material handling. They&#;re easy to adjust, maintain, and upgrade, ideal for cold storage facilities with changing layouts.
When space is tight, vertical and inclined conveyors can maximize your facility&#;s efficiency. They&#;re ideal for moving products between levels without taking up valuable floor space.
Maintenance in cold storage can be tricky. The last thing you want is to shut down operations for repairs. Opt for conveyors with low-maintenance designs to keep your facility running smoothly.
Durable components built for harsh conditions minimize downtime and keep your system in top shape. Invest in quality now to save on repair costs later.
Regularly inspect your conveyor for wear and tear, especially in key areas like belts and motors. Addressing small issues early can prevent bigger problems down the line.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Cold Resistant Conveyor Belt.
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )