By.

Benjamin Gagne

Background
There are many different kinds of conveyor systems out
there. First what is the basic idea of a conveyor system,
how and why is it used in many of todays industrial
settings. A conveyor system is used to get a item for one
place to another, this item can be large, small, irregular
shape, light or heavy. Not only can conveyors move items
from one point to another it can be used in an assembly
line so as the product is going through the conveyor it is
being made or assembled. Conveyors can move items up
an incline or vertically with another conveyor sandwiches
the item in place. These are versatile tools for production in
the industry world if the right one is implemented for a job.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyor_belt

Standards

Some companies in the industry will require a belt

conveyor system to meet a certain standard. These
standards insure the safety of the conveyor but also
effectiveness of it.

Different standards: DIN (German), ISO (World) , BS

(UK) , CEMA / RMA (USA), AS (AUSTRALIA), JIS (Japan),
GOST (Russia)

Standards will include handling and storage of belts,

strengths of belts, and dimension restrictions of each
part in the system.

Shut off switches for operators and adequate safety

shields and guards required to meet OSHA standards

http://www.cisco-eagle.com/catalog/c-3360-osha-conveyor-safety-standards.aspx
http://www.conveyorbeltguide.com/Standards.html

Basic Design

Available
in:
45
90
180

http://www.conveyor-belts.co.uk/images/belt-conveyor-diagrambig.jpg
http://www.oprema-vrbovec.hr/transp-komadni/bclcurve.htm

Motors
Sizing a motor can be very difficult and sometimes
takes trial and error.
Items to consider when sizing the motor.
Belt/slider coefficient of friction
Pillow block and idler roller bearing friction
Skirt board friction
Friction due to belt flexure
Amount of load the conveyor is going to see
Belt speed

Basic idea is to know all the forces working against the motor.
1 HP equals 33,000 ft-lbs per minute. Belt speed will be in ft/min
and belt pull in lbs.
Belt speed x Belt pull = Required HP
http://www.automation.com/resources-tools/articles-white-papers/motion-control/selecting-the-optimal-conveyor-drive

Transmissions
A transmission is used to get the power from the motor to
the belt. It can be a direct drive but a transmission is
typically used when the system needs to be geared down.
Transmissions are also to provide more power to the
conveyor system if speed wasnt crucial. This is called
gearing down .
This can work the other way by gearing up, if the power
isn't such and issue and speed is needed. Typically speed
isnt a problem encountered with motors.
Standards require efficiencies not drop below a certain
level. Depending on transmission style efficiencies can
range on 70%-95%
http://www.automation.com/resources-tools/articles-white-papers/motion-control/selecting-the-optimal-conveyor-drive

Belts
The actual belt of a system is determined on
what the conveyor is going to be used for. Items
to consider when choosing a belt.
Size of items being moved
Weight of items
shape of items

This will help decide what belt to use so

coefficients of friction can stay low so the motors
wont be over worked.
Belts are typically made from cotton, canvas, EPDM, Kevlar,
nitrile, nylon, polyester, polyurethane/urethane, PVC,
rubber, silicone, steel cord, Teflon, wire mesh or weave.
http://www.allconveyorshq.com/

Some Useful Calculations

TC = F1 x L x CW
F1 = .035" [Normal friction factor for average conditions (over 20F) to
move empty belt.]
L = Belt length (ft.)
CW = Weight of conveyor belt components.

TL = F2 x L x MW
F2 = .04" [Normal friction factor to move load horizontally.]
L = Belt length (ft.)
CW
MW = Material weight (lbs. per lineal foot).
Factors
MW = 33.3 TPH/Belt Speed (fpm) or Total material load in lbs/L.

Belt
Widt
H = Difference in elevation of terminal pulleys (ft.)
h

TH = H x MW

TE = TC + TL + TH

TE = Effective belt tension

CW Factor
for 5
pulleys

12

12

18

18

24

24

30

30

36

36

Note: for 4 pulleys multiple by .85

http://www.belting.cc/beltdata/tension-calculator.htm

Useful Sites
Here are some useful links when trying to
find certain information and or need to
calculate something on a conveyor belt
system.
Sizing a belt: Belt Sizing Calculator
Belt Tension and motor sizing : Motor & Belt
Tension

http://www.durabelt.com/instructionsbeltsizer.php

http://www.belting.cc/beltdata/tension-calculator.htm

Any Questions?