Belt conveyors are available in several configurations to meet different material handling requirements. Their designs vary according to conveying distance, installation conditions, load capacity, and operating environment. Common types include fixed belt conveyors, retractable belt conveyors, suspended belt conveyors, steel cord belt conveyors, rope-driven belt conveyors, steep-angle belt conveyors, and pipe belt conveyors.
Each type has a different structural arrangement and application range. Understanding these differences helps equipment manufacturers and operators select a suitable conveying system for their production requirements.
Fixed belt conveyors
Fixed belt conveyors are installed at a permanent location and are designed for continuous material transport over a set route. They are commonly used where the conveying distance and equipment position do not change during normal operation.
The main components include:
Conveyor belt: Usually made of rubber, fiber fabric, or a steel-reinforced core. It carries materials and moves them along the conveying route.
Drive system: Consists of a motor, gearbox, and coupling. It supplies power and controls rotational speed and torque.
Pulley assembly: Includes the drive pulley and return or direction-changing pulleys, which move the belt and guide its running path.
Idler assembly: Carrying idlers support the loaded belt, while return idlers support the belt on its return run and help reduce running resistance.
Supporting frame: A steel or welded structure that holds the main conveyor components in position.
Tensioning device: Maintains the required belt tension and helps prevent slippage.
Belt cleaning equipment: Removes material residue from the belt surface.
Fixed belt conveyors are suitable for applications with relatively short conveying distances, permanent installation positions, and long operating periods. Typical applications include coal screening plants and main transportation routes in underground mines.
Retractable belt conveyors
Retractable belt conveyors can adjust their conveying length according to changes in the working area. They are particularly useful in applications where the distance between the material loading point and discharge point changes frequently.
Their basic structure includes the same main components as a fixed belt conveyor, such as the conveyor belt, drive system, pulleys, idlers, supporting frame, tensioning device, and belt cleaning equipment.
An additional belt storage and adjustment mechanism allows the conveyor length to change during operation or repositioning. This mechanism generally includes:
A belt storage unit for storing excess conveyor belt.
A movable carriage that allows the conveyor arrangement to extend or retract.
A tensioning winch for adjusting belt tension as the conveyor length changes.
Retractable belt conveyors are commonly used at underground coal mining faces and other locations where the conveying distance changes as work progresses. Their adjustable length helps maintain material transport as the working area moves.
Suspended belt conveyors
Suspended belt conveyors use a suspended support arrangement rather than a conventional ground-mounted frame. Two parallel steel wire ropes run longitudinally along the conveying route and provide support for the conveyor system.
The main components include the conveyor belt, drive system, pulleys, and idlers. These components are arranged to work with the suspended wire rope structure.
This configuration is suitable for underground mine sections with complex roadway conditions, including inclined mine roadways and centralized mine passages. It is generally used where conveying volumes are relatively small and conventional supporting structures are less suitable.
Steel cord belt conveyors
Steel cord belt conveyors use high-strength steel cords embedded in the conveyor belt carcass to provide tensile strength. This construction allows the belt to withstand high loads and long conveying distances.
Their main structural components include:
Steel cord conveyor belt: Uses longitudinal steel cords as the reinforcing carcass to carry high tensile loads.
Drive and guiding system: Provides the required driving force and guides the belt along its conveying route.
Supporting and auxiliary components: Include idler frames, supporting structures, tensioning devices, and belt cleaners. These components are selected to suit the characteristics of steel cord belts.
Steel cord belt conveyors are mainly used for long-distance, heavy-duty material handling. Common applications include mining operations and port facilities where large quantities of materials need to be transported over extended distances.
Rope-driven belt conveyors
Rope-driven belt conveyors use steel wire ropes or other high-strength ropes as the traction components. Unlike steel cord belt conveyors, where the steel cords are embedded inside the belt carcass, this configuration separates the traction function from the material-carrying function.
Its main components include:
Rope traction system: Uses steel wire ropes or other high-strength materials to pull the conveyor system.
Material-carrying belt: A fiber-based belt that supports and transports the material but does not carry the main traction force.
Supporting and guiding structure: Supports the traction ropes and carrying belt while keeping them aligned during operation.
Rope-driven belt conveyors are mainly used for inclined shaft conveying, long-distance surface transportation, and main underground roadway transportation.
Steep-angle belt conveyors
Steep-angle belt conveyors are designed to transport materials along inclined routes, particularly where installation space is limited or the terrain makes conventional horizontal conveying difficult.
Their structural features include:
Material-carrying belt: Uses a shallow V-shaped design to help prevent materials from slipping off during inclined conveying.
Loading and speed control system: Controls the material loading process and adjusts conveying speed so that the relative speed between the material and carrying belt approaches zero, reducing impact during loading.
Safety protection system: Includes material anti-slip plates and an emergency braking system to improve conveying safety.
Steep-angle belt conveyors are suitable for inclined material transportation in mines and other locations with complex terrain and limited installation space.
Pipe belt conveyors
Pipe belt conveyors use a conveyor belt that changes its cross-sectional shape during operation. The belt opens at the loading point to receive materials and then curls into a tubular shape along the conveying section.
Their main components include:
Tubular conveyor belt: Opens during material loading and forms a closed tubular section during conveying.
Drive and direction-changing mechanisms: Supply driving power and guide the belt when the conveying route changes direction.
Supporting roller assemblies: Include troughing, transition, and circular roller arrangements to support the belt at different stages of operation.
Tensioning and sealing systems: Maintain belt tension and help prevent material spillage and external dust from entering the conveying system.
Pipe belt conveyors are suitable for material handling applications where dust control, environmental protection, or limited installation space is a concern. Typical applications include municipal waste treatment and the transportation of materials that generate dust pollution.
Custom machining for belt conveyor components
The seven types of belt conveyors described above have different structural requirements. Their selection depends on the conveying distance, material characteristics, installation environment, and operating conditions. Understanding the differences in their construction helps manufacturers and operators determine which configuration is suitable for a particular application.
Besides complete conveying system components, manufacturers may also require custom shafts, connecting parts, supporting components, and other non-standard mechanical parts during equipment production and maintenance. We provide drawing-based precision machining for single-piece and small-batch components to meet different structural and dimensional requirements.
Hansheng Automation also provides custom machining services for other industries. Our capabilities cover precision components for yacht equipment and RC racing cars, as well as functional parts for tobacco, packaging, and filling machinery. We manufacture these non-standard components according to customer drawings, with machining services extending beyond conveyor equipment.
