SPG Conveyor Systems a Leading UK Belt Manufacturer

A belt conveyor is a mechanical system designed to transport materials or goods from one location to another along a continuous loop of material, known as the conveyor belt.

BED: The Steel Section to belt sits on
BED LENGTH: The length of the steel section
BED WIDTH: Overall width of conveyor frame

BELT: The moving surface of a belt conveyor
BELT LENGTH: Overall length of belt used to wrap around all the pullies
BELT WIDTH: Width of moving surface
BELT SCRAPER: Blade or brush fitted to underside of conveyor to remove debris
BELT SPEED: Conveyor speed. The length of belt which passes a point within a predetermined time

BRAKE MOTOR: A motor with a electromagnetic lock on it to stop the belt firmly when stop button is pressed.
(Normally fitted to Mezzanine conveyors or conveyors used where access is requried)

CASTERS: Wheels fitted to the conveyor to move conveyor around (NOTE: leg design is important to consider when using)
CEILING HANGER: Support structure fitted used when fitting conveyors to a ceiling
CENTER DRIVE: When the motor drive unit is positioned nominally in the center of a conveyor (Often used on longer conveyors)
CHAIN GUARD: A Physical barrier fitted around the moving chain and sprockets to protect from access
CHUTE: Often used on inclined conveyors to deposit product into, to load belt
CLEAT: an attached fitted or welded onto the belt to push parts up the belt
CROWNED PULLEY: A machined taper on the tubes of the end roller to aid with keeping the belt running true

DECLINE CONVEYOR: A down hill travelling conveyor
DEGREE OF INCLINE: The angle of slope of the conveyor - on an inclining conveyor (A lot depends on belt types, attachments and
products conveyed)
DELTA: Wiring option for 3 phase motors - used when running motors through single phase inverters
DISCHARGE END: Outfeed end of conveyor
DRIVE: The motor or assembly type used to power the belt
DRIVE PULLEY: The pulley which has power going to it to move the belt
DRUM MOTOR: A Drive type where the motor is enclosed within the tube of the pulley

EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON: Electrical device used to stop conveyor in emergency - (Requires additional control)
EMERGENCY STOP PULL CORD: A Wire which runs the length of the conveyor used to stop conveyor in emergency - (Requires additional
control)

FLOOR SUPPORTS: Structure used to support conveyor whilst floor mounted
FLOW: The direction of travel on the conveyor
FPM: Feet per minute (Speed)

GATE: A section of conveyor which can be opened for access
GEARBOX: Normally fitted to a motor, selected combination denotes what the conveyor speed will be
GEARED MOTOR: A means of powering the conveyor - combining a gearbox and electric motor
GUIDE RAIL: Members used to stop items falling off the belt

HORIZONTAL FLOOR SPACE: The length of floor required for the conveyor
HORSEPOWER: A measure of time and rate to do the work (Normally used electrically 1 HP = 0.75kW (Nominally))
HZ: Electrical terminology used around sine wave frequency - can be altered through inverters to change speed and torque outputs

INCLINED CONVEYOR: Up hill driving conveyor
INCLINED CONVEYOR LENGTH: The length of the uphill section
INFEED END: The loading end of the conveyor
INVERTER: Electrical device often used to adjust speeds and torque of conveyors - Can be used to turn 1ph 230 to 3ph 230V

kW: How powerful the motor is

LACING: A mechanical fastener used to join both ends of the belt
LAGGED PULLEY: Material bonded to a pulley to increase friction to help drive

MOTOR: Normally electrical - an item which provides a rotating power to an output shaft

NIP GUARD: Fixed guarding used around nip points or drawing in points on belt conveyors
NOSE OVER: A conveyor section going from inclined to horizontal

OVERALL LENGTH: The total length of the conveyor
OVERALL WIDTH: The total width of the conveyor

PHOTO ELECTRIC CELL (PEC): An electrical device used to sense products (Often used to stop / start belts automatically
POP OUT ROLLER: Often fitted to the end of a belt conveyor - when the conveyor is running up to a fixed surface or gravity roller conveyor.
POWERED CONVEYOR: The conveyor is driven and doesn't require products to pushed along
POWER FEEDER: A section of horizontal conveyor - normally at the bottom of an incline conveyor
PULLEY: Either driven or idler roller - mounted to provide means to return and power belt

REVERSIBLE: Conveyor is capable of driving in both directions

SHAFT MOUNTED: Normally referring to where the Geared motor is mounted

SLIDER BED: Normally same as Conveyor bed
SNUB ROLLER: Roller used to increase the wrap around the drive rollers
SUPPORT: Structure used to mount the conveyor at required height

TAIL PULLEY: Normally used to provide means to return the belt
TAKE-UP: Assembly used to provide tension and tracking to to the belt
TOTAL LOAD: The overall weight of items going on the conveyor
TRACKING: Term used in regard to keeping belt running true
TRUE TRACK: Term used to addition of guides fitted to the underside of belt to mechanically keep the belt running true

Belt conveyors generally consist of a loop of material that is placed around two or more rollers, with at least one of these rollers, also known as pulleys or drums, being motor powered so it can spin. As the powered roller(s) spins, the friction between the motor and the belt causes the belt to be pulled in the direction that the motor is spinning. The result being the belt continuously rolls over and around the rollers.

There are many types of belt conveyors each made to suit specific applications, below you can find a list of different types of belt conveyor and their uses.

Standard Flat Conveyor 

These are the conveyors you will commonly see at supermarket checkouts, they're the most simple type of belt conveyor and ideal for A to B transport on a flat level surface.

Inclined Belt Conveyors

Inclined belt conveyors are used for transporting items upwards, either to create a bridge in a conveyor system, to feed materials into machines, or to carry items to and from upper floors or mezzanines. They often use flights or grip face belts to help stop materials from falling back on the conveyor.

Sandwich Belt Conveyors

Sandwich belt conveyors consist of two belt conveyors running parallel and face-to-face so the items to be transported are 'sandwiched', between them and held in place by gentle pressure. Confusingly, sandwich conveyors are also a type of conveyor that is made specifically to help people make sandwiches.

Trough Conveyor

Trough belt conveyors have flexible belts that are folded into a trough U shape using a series of rollers on the bottom and sides to prevent spillages. They are used for transporting fine or lightweight materials, aggregates, soil, and rubble.

Pipe Conveyor

Similar to trough conveyors, they also have rollers around the undersides of the belt to shape the belt, though this time the belt is folded around into a closed circle O shape to create a pipe, again these are used for loose materials.

Modular Belt Conveyor

Modular belt conveyors have a belt consisting of rigid plastic interlocking modules that make the belt much stronger whilst still allowing the belt to curve and flex. They are also positively driven by sprockets which means they do not slip.

Slat Conveyor

Slat conveyor belts are similar to modular belts however the slats are linked in a single chain and do not have the same side flexing capabilities as modular belts. They are ideal for transporting cans, bottles, and aerosol canisters.