Conveyor belts are of great importance in the modern world. They help transport the material from one place to another quickly. Their usage is increasing consistently in various industries. That’s because there are many advantages of belt conveyors.
However, some think setting up conveyor belts is costly, affecting their business profitability. This is wrong, as these belts are convenient and can make any business profitable. I will discuss how these belts help businesses and manufacturing industries in this article. So, let’s get started!
Overview of Conveyor Belt System
Before discussing key benefits, let’s first have a bird ‘s-eye view of the conveyor belt system.
Conveyor belts are modern machines that help transport materials. They come with a belt that smoothly runs on rollers and remains in a continuous loop. Belts are generally made of fabrics and are very durable. They make transporting materials quick and effortless.
These conveyor belts are generally used in manufacturing places and airports. In the old days, the workers had to carry the material manually. This manual work was more burdensome on the workers, reducing their efficiency. Now, the workers put the material on the conveyor belt and lift it to the other end of the belt.
The conveyor belt system uses an electric motor. This motor is the fundamental unit that ensures the working of these belts. Different conveyor belts are available, and they vary in terms of their making material. For example, fabrics, steel cord conveyor belts, and so on. The conveyor belts also differ in terms of their size as well.
For example, small shopping malls have smaller belts. They are enough to carry customer luggage. On the other hand, airports generally have larger belts that run at high speeds. They carry large luggage and other travelers’ goods. Undoubtedly, they have made many industries more efficient.
Key Advantages of Conveyor Belts
The purpose of the above portion was to give you a basic understanding of these belts. Let’s jump into the details and discuss the benefits of conveyor belts.
1- Efficient Material Handling
Imagine you enter airports with no conveyor belts. In this case, you’ll have to carry your luggage by yourself. So you will get tired. Moreover, the luggage can feel in your hands and get damaged. Similarly, construction sites with no conveyor belt will be less efficient. The workers will have to carry the material manually.
So, they will get tired, which will result in less productivity. However, conveyor belts prove to be a very efficient option. You keep your goods on a belt to be transported to the desired location. There won’t be any tension of luggage getting damaged. Moreover, the conveyor belt system is high-speed, offering quick material transportation.
2- Reduces Manual Labor
In the past, airports employed employees to transport passengers’ luggage. Big shopping malls had to offer more trolleys for transporting customers’ goods. Workers carrying material from one location to another made construction sites less productive. However, using conveyor belts has significantly reduced the need for manual labor.
Modern industries have fewer workers for the transportation of materials. They put the goods on the belts, and employees on the other end remove the goods from the belts. Have you noticed few to no employees for transporting material at the airport? All thanks to the magic of conveyor belts.
3- Highly Versatile
What I love about conveyor belts is that they are very versatile. You can put material of any weight on them, and the belts will transport it. Moreover, there are various sizes, which is a big plus. So, small businesses can use inexpensive conveyor belts.
On the contrary, established players can choose bigger belts for extreme performance. Moreover, they come in various materials. For example, shopping malls can use belts of fabric materials. On the other hand, steel cord-made belts are the best option for heavy-duty material transportation.
Quick Highlight: There are different types of conveyor belts available. Some of them are horizontal, inclined, and even curved. So they need the requirement more effectively. For example, incline belts help carry to up or downhill conditions. Horizontals are used to transport material at the same level. You get many conveyor belt options tailored to your needs.
4- Reliable Operation (Durability)
In the early days, conveyor belts were not reliable. They had many weak points, leading to malfunctioning parts. However, things have changed over time. Manufacturers now use modern technology and advanced testing when manufacturing these belts.
This results in unhindered and reliable performance. In manufacturing facilities, there won’t be any delays in material transportation. Generally, these belts can run continuously for many hours. However, they require maintenance, like checking the lubrication of parts. A well-maintained conveyor belt system won’t show any wear and tear.
5- Energy Efficient & Low Noise
As I said earlier, conveyor belts use electricity for their work. Right? However, the motor of these belts is very optimized and energy efficient. It does not consume too much electricity, which is a big plus. Interestingly, modern conveyor belts come with dedicated sensors.
They stop working if there is no load or luggage on the belts. Once you load the belt, the motor turns on, and the sensor detects the load. So the belt starts to keep, further reducing the energy consumption. The belts won’t keep running all day. Instead, they will run only when the user needs to transport the material.
6- Long-Distance Safer Transport
In some cases, materials require long-distance transportation. For example, construction sites are not confined to specific locations. The large-scale shopping materials have large space. Some airports are also huge and require long-distance luggage transportation.
Conveyor belts don’t disappoint in such cases. They efficiently transport the material from one location to another, regardless of how far it is! Moreover, the conveyor belts are very durable and long-lasting. Their chances of breaking or damaging themselves are very low. So the material goes a long distance with 100% safety.
7- Low Noise Operation
The conveyor belts work very smoothly and are noise-free. The rubber belts move on the rollers. In most cases, the belt consists of fabric. So, when it rolls on a roller, it does not create any noise or sound.
Moreover, the conveyor belt is powered by electricity (an electrical motor). When this motor runs, it does not create any noise. Some old conveyor belts had hydraulic-powered systems. They were noisy and more messy due to the use of hydraulic fluid. However, modern belts offer neat operations and are very silent.
8- Cost-Effective in the Long Run
The initial cost of conveyor belts is very high, which is a drawback. Moreover, setting up this system is also costly. However, I still consider the conveyor belt system very cost-effective. In the long run, they make the business profitable. For example, these belts increase productivity and transport the material quickly.
There won’t be any need for labor to transfer the material. In this way, it saves on additional labor costs. Moreover, the conveyor belts consume very little electricity. So you can keep them running the whole day, and they won’t be putting a burden on your bills. Additionally, In the construction field, your material will reach the site quickly, ensuring no break on work.
Applications of Conveyor Belts in Different Industries
As I said, there are many perks to using conveyor belts. Many modern industries heavily rely on these belts for their operations. Here is a table showing the usage of these belts in different sectors:
| Industry | Application of Belt Conveyors |
| Manufacturing | Moving parts and products along assembly lines |
| Mining | Transporting coal, ores, and minerals |
| Construction Sites | Transporting sand, gravel, concrete, and building materials |
| Food Processing | Carrying food items through washing, cooking, and packaging stages |
| Logistics | Sorting, handling, and transporting packages for shipment |
| Airports | Baggage handling systems at check-in and claim areas |
| Automotive Industry | Transporting car components and engines during assembly |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a belt conveyor used for?
Conveyor belts are used extensively across different industries. These include agriculture, construction, automotive, aerospace, and more. Their primary use is transporting material and luggage from one place to another.
What materials can be transported using a belt conveyor?
There is no restriction on material. From luggage to crops, grains, concrete, and sand, everything can be transported. However, make sure to avoid shipping material that could cut the fabric of the belt.
Can belt conveyors be used on uneven or sloped surfaces?
Yes, conveyor belts can be used on uneven or sloped surfaces. Some modern inclined or slope belts are also available and dedicated to transporting material on slopes. You should use them if you want to transport material up or downhill.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that conveyor belts are very advantageous. You can use them anywhere and get their benefits. The working of these belts is relatively straightforward. Their usage in shopping malls and manufacturing facilities is increasing. Are there any airports that don’t use conveyor belts? I bet there is none!
Their usage on construction sites is also booming, making manufacturers more productive. In this article, I have explained the key benefits of these belts. Still wondering if these belts are for you? I recommend that you use them to enhance your profitability and productivity.