Belt conveyors are widely used continuous conveying systems in food factories and industrial processing plants, suitable for horizontal or inclined transportation of bulk, granular, packaged, and whole materials, and commonly integrated into sorting lines, filling lines, continuous dryers, continuous freezers, inspection tables, and pretreatment conveying systems, providing stable, hygienic, and efficient material handling solutions. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Basic Structure of a Belt Conveyor
A standard belt conveyor consists of key components, including the conveyor belt, drive unit, frame structure, idler rollers, and tensioning device, with auxiliary parts such as hoppers, skirt boards, bend pulleys, cleaners, and tail frames working together to ensure smooth, continuous, and reliable conveying performance in industrial environments.
Conveyor Belt Types and Characteristics
Rubber Belt
Rubber belts are composed of an inner carcass and protective cover rubber layers that bond plies, resist wear, prevent moisture penetration, and protect against external media, with typical working surface rubber thickness of 3–6 mm and non-working surface thickness of 1–3 mm, making them suitable for loading, unloading, bulk raw material conveying, and packaging transport in food processing lines.
Plastic Belt
Plastic belts manufactured from polyvinyl chloride are available in solid-woven core and multi-ply core structures, offering abrasion resistance, oil resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and corrosion resistance, and are particularly suitable for conveying oily foods where plastic belts outperform traditional rubber belts in durability and hygiene.
Slat Belt (Plate Belt)
Slat belts, also known as chain slat conveyors, consist of articulated chains with metal or plastic slats sliding over fixed guide plates, driven by chain traction rather than belt friction, and are widely used in beverage, canned food, and packaging production lines, with optional baffles added for steep conveying angles to prevent material backsliding.
Canvas Belt
Canvas belts made from cotton or linen fabric feature high tensile strength, good flexibility, and fatigue resistance under repeated bending, with adjustable length and convenient installation, making them ideal for dough sheets, biscuit blanks, lamination, rolling, and forming processes in bakery production lines.
Wire Mesh Belt
Wire mesh belts offer high mechanical strength and excellent high-temperature resistance, with customizable mesh openings that enable simultaneous conveying and solid-liquid separation, and are commonly used in continuous fryers, fruit and vegetable washing equipment, baking ovens, and drying systems.
Chain Belt
Chain belts consist of metal plates fixed between chain links and are driven by sprockets, similar to wire mesh belts, offering reliable conveying performance in processing equipment that requires stable traction and durability.
Steel Belt
Steel belts, typically manufactured from stainless steel, offer superior high-temperature resistance, low elongation, and high mechanical strength without releasing harmful substances, making them suitable for continuous baking ovens and other high-temperature food processing applications despite higher cost and stricter installation requirements.
Drive Unit and Power Transmission
The drive unit of a belt conveyor typically includes an electric motor, a reducer, and a drive drum or sprocket. Inclined conveyors are additionally equipped with braking or backstop devices, and crowned drive drums are designed to generate self-centering belt tension, while patterned drum surfaces increase friction to prevent belt slippage during operation.
Frame Structure and Idler Roller System
The conveyor frame is usually welded from channel steel, angle steel, and steel plates to provide load-bearing support, while idler rollers support the belt and material load, with upper idlers selected as flat or trough (V-type) according to material flow characteristics, and adjusting idlers installed to correct belt tracking and prevent misalignment during long-term operation.
Special Support Structures for Non-Roller Conveyors
Certain conveyor types, such as slat belts, wire mesh belts, and chain belts, do not rely on idler rollers; instead, they use guide plates or chain tracks for support. In low-speed or short-distance applications, flexible belts may operate on solid support plates to simplify the structure and maintenance.
Tensioning Devices and Operational Stability
Because rubber, plastic, and canvas belts elongate under prolonged tension, belt conveyors are equipped with tensioning devices, such as counterweight, screw, or spring-screw systems, to maintain sufficient friction between the belt and drive drum, prevent slippage, and ensure long-term operational stability under varying load conditions.
Industrial Value and Application Significance
Belt conveyors are fundamental material-handling equipment in food processing and industrial production lines, and the proper selection of belt type, drive configuration, support structure, and tensioning method directly affects conveying efficiency, hygiene standards, equipment lifespan, and overall production reliability.
Summary
Through rational structural design, appropriate belt selection, reliable drive systems, and effective tensioning mechanisms, belt conveyors provide efficient, continuous, and adaptable conveying solutions that support modern food machinery and industrial processing systems with high operational stability and scalability.
