Definition of Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts utilize the leverage of the pulley system and wheels to move objects over a short distance. Conveyor belts are used in a wide variety of industrial, retail and agricultural activities.

Construction

Conveyor belts consist of a flat surface with a sliding belt stretched over the top. The belt has just enough tension to move freely and is connected to a set of wheels on either end, which rotate the belt around the flat surface.

Materials

Traditional conveyor belts were powered manually and were usually made of a wood surface and a leather, rubber or canvas belt. Today, most conveyor belts are powered electronically and can be made of a variety of materials, including metals, plastics and synthetic fibers.

Production Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts revolutionized the modern industrial process when Henry Ford introduced them into his car factories in the 1920s and created assembly lines.

History

People began using conveyor belts to transport grain as early as the late 17th century. Conveyor belts were patented by Hymle Goddard in 1908.

Safety

When using conveyor belts, be sure to keep all loose-fitting clothing away from all belts and pulleys. Some conveyor belts move at very high speeds and must only be operated near trained employees.

References

• GlobalSpec: Conveyor Belts
• Conveyor Belt Guide.com