The belt conveyor is one of the most common and reliable types of industrial transport. Thanks to its versatility, high productivity, and ability to move loads over significant distances, belt conveyors have become an indispensable element in agriculture, the mining industry, construction, and manufacturing.
What is a Belt Conveyor and Its Scope of Application?
The KL-type belt conveyor is a piece of equipment designed for the continuous transport of bulk, lump, or unit loads in a horizontal or inclined plane (with an incline angle of up to 45°). The transport line can reach lengths of up to 1000 meters.
Its scope of application is extremely broad:
- Agricultural Sector: Transporting grain, seeds, and compound feed.
- Construction Industry: Moving sand, crushed stone, gravel, and cement.
- Mining Industry: Transporting ore, coal, and rock.
- Manufacturing and Logistics: Moving boxes, bags, pallets, and other containers.
The construction from bent sheet metal profiles allows for the creation of lightweight yet durable conveyors that can be designed for maximum tightness, which is ideal for working with dusty products or for installation outdoors.
Construction and Key Elements of a Belt Conveyor
The reliability of a conveyor depends on the quality of its components. Let's look at the main assemblies.
Frame and Idlers
- Frame: Manufactured from structural, galvanized, or stainless steel. A modular design with sections from 250 mm to 3000 mm in length allows for the easy assembly of conveyors of any length.
- Idlers: Installed in the frame to support the belt. They can be troughing (two or three-roller sets with an angle of 20-45°), which gives the belt a concave shape to increase the volume of carried material, or straight (flat). Roller diameters vary from 57 mm to 159 mm.
Pulleys and Conveyor Belt
- Pulleys: The drive and tension pulleys ensure the movement and tensioning of the belt. They can be smooth or "wing" type (self-cleaning). For better traction with the belt, the pulleys can be lagged (coated with rubber).
- Belt: The main working component. Its width (from 150 mm to 2000 mm) and type are selected based on the required capacity and the characteristics of the load. For transport at angles over 15°, a chevron belt is used to prevent the product from rolling back.
Tensioning and Safety System
- Tensioning: On conveyors up to 150 m long, a screw take-up unit is typically used. On longer lines, a gravity take-up system (vertical or horizontal) is installed, which automatically maintains optimal belt tension.
- Control: For safe operation, conveyors are equipped with sensors for belt misalignment and breakage, as well as speed and rotation monitoring. For product accounting, load cells can be installed to weigh the cargo in-stream.
Belt Conveyors: Price and Selection Factors
If you are planning to purchase this equipment, it is important to understand that the price of a belt conveyor is based on several key parameters:
- Length and Width of the Conveyor: The main dimensions that determine the amount of material required.
- Capacity (t/h): Affects the belt width and the power of the drive unit.
- Material of Construction: Structural steel is the base option, while galvanized and stainless steel increase the cost.
- Belt Type: Chevron and other specialized belts are more expensive than standard flat belts.
- Configuration: The presence of covers, aspiration (dust collection) systems, safety sensors, and weighing systems affects the final price.
To get an accurate cost calculation, please contact our specialists. We will help you select the optimal configuration that fully meets your technical requirements.
