Conveyor Belts are an important part of many industries, be it manufacturing, food, or packaging. They are the unsung heroes of various industries that facilitate the efficient movement of materials within a facility. Choosing the right type of conveyor belt for your application is crucial to ensure efficiency, safety, and longevity. It ensures smooth operations and maximises the productivity of your application. Among the many conveyor belt options available, choosing the right type of conveyor belt for your business can feel overwhelming. At Artmtek, we specialise in constructing quality material-handling solutions that help businesses simplify their operations. Our conveyors are designed to handle a wide range of products from light to medium-duty applications. Based on your needs, we provide various conveyor belts that allow you to optimise or expand your operations easily. In this guide, let’s discover the things you should consider before choosing a belt conveyor for your business.
What is a Conveyor Belt?
A conveyor belt is an efficient system for transporting or transferring materials, goods, or even people from one location to another. It uses a continuous belt as its main mechanism for movements and involves a loop of flexible material that is held by rollers and powered by an electric motor. A conveyor belt can swiftly move heavy materials from one location to another. Conveyors are available in many types and serve numerous applications, all designed to move goods and materials along a continuously moving path.
Benefits of Belt Conveyor Systems
- Can help reduce labour costs
- Increases the efficiency and productivity of operations
- Smooth material movement
- Can handle various types of materials
- Saves space with custom configurations
- Versatile applications
- Safety of workers
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Belt Conveyor
1. Nature of Material: Different materials need different conveyor belt solutions. To convey food products, you may require a food-grade belt, while heavy-duty belts are needed to convey bulk materials. The nature of the material, like its size, shape, and weight, should be considered when choosing a conveyor belt for your business.
2. Load Capacity and Speed: Before choosing a belt conveyor, it is also important to determine the capacity of weight capacity it can handle. It is also important to consider the speed at which you want to transport materials.
3. Workspace Layout: The size and layout of your workspace also play an important role in choosing a conveyor belt. If you have a small workspace, you may need a conveyor that can fit into tight spaces, whereas if you have a big workspace, you can opt for a longer conveyor belt.
4. Operational Requirements: Each application has its own unique operational requirements, like speed, incline, and load capacity. You should consider what type of conveyor belt is required for your operations, either heavy-duty belts for high-load applications or lightweight belts for inclined conveying.
5. Environment Conditions: The environment conditions where the conveyor belt is going to be used play a significant role in its performance and lifespan. When choosing a conveyor belt, factors like temperatures, humidity, and dust concentrations should be considered. It is important to choose a belt that is resistant to the environmental conditions it will be exposed to.
6. Maintenance and Durability: Choosing a sturdy conveyor belt that requires less maintenance will help you cut down maintenance costs and downtime. High-quality materials, easily replaceable parts, and sturdy construction are what you should look for.
7. Safety Features: Safety should be your top priority when selecting a conveyor belt. Ensure the conveyor belt has different safety features like emergency stop buttons, guards, and safety sensors to protect operators and prevent accidents.
8. Cost and budget: When determining which is the right conveyor for you, you should consider the upfront cost and the ongoing operational expenses. It might be tempting to choose the conveyor that is cheaper upfront, but it is important to also consider the conveyor’s lifetime total cost of ownership and its return on investment.
9. Flexibility: If you have to change your production line to quickly meet deadlines, ensure that your conveyor belt can be easily moved and reconfigured. Using portable conveyor modules to customise conveyor lines may also enable you to fine-tune product lines to fit confined cell spaces.
10. Supplier Reputation and Support: You should choose a conveyor supplier that has a proven track record in providing conveyor belt solutions. Consider factors like the supplier’s experience, customer support, warranty, and after-sales service. At Armtek, you are guaranteed high-quality products for all your material-handling needs. We provide you with support before, during, and after sales to ensure we are there to help at every step.
Conclusion
Choosing the right conveyor belt involves carefully considering factors like load capacity, nature of material, environmental conditions, workspace layout, safety features, cost, maintenance, and supplier reputation. By keeping all these factors in mind, you can select a conveyor belt that perfectly meets your requirements and increases the efficiency and productivity of your operations. Looking for the best conveyor belt? At Armtek, we specialise in constructing quality material-handling solutions that help businesses simplify their operations. With our expertise and dedication to quality, we design custom machinery that meets the needs and also surpasses the demands of global industries.
