A Quick History Of Belt Conveyors
Machines can move items from one area of the production line to the next much more efficiently than humans could. Having workers move items along the production line entails many risks. Goods could be handled poorly, which would cause some wear and tear on the items. Industries started using conveyor belts during the latter half of the 17th century and material transportation is now an important part of the production process in most factories.
Early Developments
Belt conveyors system were first used to move some sacks of grains from one point to another. They became popular in 1975 and were used to move large volumes of materials. Early conveyor belts were very simple machines that were made from a belt mounted on a wooden bed. Belts would be made from canvas, rubber or even leather. Hymle Goddard of Logan Company patented the roller conveyor in 1908 and powered and free conveyors become popular in 1919 to transport heavy goods from one side of a factory to another. Belt conveyors were widely used throughout the 1920s and saw many improvements. The coal mining industry used these machines to move materials over distances sometimes as long as 8 kilometers. Nowadays, the longest conveyor belt is 60 miles long and can be found inside the phosphate mines of Western Sahara.
Synthetic Materials
Natural materials such as rubber, canvas and cotton became very scarce during WWII. Synthetic conveyor belts became a more affordable option and were widely used in many industries. Materials such as cotton, leather, canvas, polyester, polyurethane, PVC, nylon, silicone, neoprene, rubber, urethane, steel or EPDN are now used to make conveyor belts. The material used is chosen in function of what the conveyor belt system will be used for.
Conveyor Use Today
A quality conveyor belt can significantly increase the productivity of a business, which is why it is important to choose a model suitable for your industry. It is common to find conveyor belts in supermarkets, warehouses or shopping malls to transport products from one location to another. The use of fully automated belts greatly reduces the risk of damaging fragile goods
Belt conveyor systems became so popular because they are affordable and speed up the production process. You can easily reduce labor costs without having to make a major investment. Conveyor belts do not cost much to maintain and are very hard to damage. They will allow you to transport items through your facilities a lot faster than before, which means you should be able to considerably increase your production.
You can even order a custom conveyor belt system if you cannot find a product that meets your needs on the market. A customized system will be designed to maximize your productivity, speed up the production process and allow you to get a fast return on your investment. Make sure you buy your machine from a manufacturer who has many years of experience, who understands the needs of your business and if possible who specializes in your industry. Choosing an affordable and reliable manufacturer who can offer a quality product is the best way to get the ideal conveyor belt system for your business.