When creating a conveyor, one of the most important components is the conveyor belt. Choosing the wrong belt can significantly increase the risk of damage to your machine. Below are several conveyor belt options, along with their pros and cons.

Woven Wire Belting

Woven wire belting is most commonly used in extreme temperature conditions, ranging from freezing to very hot. They are also useful during the drying process when creating a certain good. These belts can be used when washing, baking, cooking, or freezing foods. They can also be used when decorating or firing ceramic and glass objects. Woven wire belts are even useful when creating electronics because they can assist in tasks such as thick film firing and sealing metal to glass. Any metal that can be woven into wire form can be used for a woven wire belt.

Hinge Metal Belting

Hinge metal belting is extremely durable and long-lasting, and is generally used for scrap removal. Some manufacturers also use this kind of belt for high temperature assembly, handling parts, inspection, and stamping. These belts are generally differentiated by their pitches or the space in inches between the hinge points. Because these belts are not completely flat and have gaps, they are generally not used when manufacturing food or delicate products.

Flat Wire Belting

Compared to woven wire belting, flat wire belting saves more time and is completely flat, making it the perfect type of belt for food handling and processing. Many food manufacturers use flat wire belting for canning, freezing, baking, sorting, packaging, and assembly. Flat wire belts are also extremely sanitary because they are easy to clean and have great water drainage. This is another reason why many companies choose to use flat wire belting when preparing food, since sanitation is an extremely important factor. Many different metals can be used for flat wire belting, including stainless steel, which gives the buyer more freedom when creating their conveyor belt.

General Purpose Belting

General purpose belts are usually made up of two components- an inner carcass and an outer cover. These belts can be made out of rubber, nylon, polyester, leather, and other materials. For inclines and declines in the manufacturing process, these belts are perfect because they provide friction. They are also oil and cut resistant, making them sanitary for food assemblies. General purpose belts are able to withstand high temperatures. These belts can also be cleated, which is useful when manufacturing products in bulk.