A conveyor belt is a type of belt used extensively in industry, factories and mines to move, pack and assemble chemical, agricultural and food products. It is a continuous band on which goods travel, and it is made in many different sizes. The quality and material of a conveyor belt also vary, and the belt must be chosen according to the product it will carry.
A conveyor belt is driven by a motor and two pulleys, and it can run horizontally, on an incline or overhead – the last two options taking up less floor space.
Some products are contaminated with oil, so a standard belt will be damaged and destroyed; in these cases an oil-resistant belt is used. Other products leave the production line hot, which again calls for a belt suited to those conditions. The belt must also be selected according to the weight of the goods so that it is able to carry them.
Other advantages of conveyor belts:
- A conveyor belt increases working speed considerably.
- It reduces the cost of moving goods and products over long distances.
- It transports goods to places people cannot easily reach, such as furnaces, basements or elevated areas.