Conveyor Belts: Optimize Your Company's Internal Logistics

Conveyor belts can greatly facilitate a company’s logistics. By enabling the transport of loads and raw materials throughout the production process, they are considered indispensable.

A high-quality conveyor belt provides several operational benefits across different industrial processes, not only in terms of productivity, but also in labour cost savings, reduced need for load-handling equipment rental, and much more.

The role of conveyor belts

Working with load and product transport equipment in an operational environment is the ideal solution for those who wish to implement efficient intralogistics. Intralogistics involves planning all production activities, such as receiving and storing materials, supplying production lines, and moving products and raw materials.

Conveyor belts fall within the category of product and material handling. They are responsible for moving materials quickly and efficiently.

The use of conveyor belts supports productivity strategies, making it possible to map processes and position them strategically, integrating them with other production and handling equipment.

Components and types of conveyor belts

A conveyor belt is made up of several components, each responsible for enabling efficient and productive material movement.

• Top cover

This is a cover resistant to abrasion, various oily materials, and different temperatures. Its function is to protect product packaging during transport.

• Frame

Every conveyor belt has a frame. It is generally manufactured from carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminium, and serves as the supporting structure where belts, chains, rollers, gears, and other components are installed.

The frame is built using raw materials that ensure reinforcement and greater resistance throughout production processes during transport.

The market also offers various types of conveyor belts, each designed to meet specific operational needs.

• Free rollers

One of the most widely used models, free-roller conveyor belts feature parallel cylindrical rollers mounted on a supporting frame. These rollers move products along the conveyor.

Free-roller conveyor belts can operate mechanically or manually.

They are most commonly used horizontally with adjustable sides, but can also include inclines or curves, depending on customer needs and the desired layout.

Ideal for transporting boxes and bundles.

• Motorised conveyors

Motorised conveyor belts provide faster product movement, as they are equipped with motors that facilitate transport. This reduces the need for manual labour and forklift traffic, resulting in a cleaner, safer, and more efficient operation.

• Curved conveyors

This model is ideal for factory environments with obstacles or the need for directional changes during production. Curves are essential for moving products from one process to another. Curved conveyor belts can be manufactured using rollers, chains, or belts.

• Belt conveyors

Belt conveyor systems are suitable for transporting products such as grains and bran. Manufactured from PVC or rubber, they are suitable for transporting loads of any type or volume, including liquids or moist materials.

This model features inclined side rollers, ensuring efficient and safe movement of bulk materials.

What are the advantages of conveyor belts?

Conveyor belts are designed to optimise material transport between sectors in an agile and productive manner.

Due to their versatility, conveyor belts facilitate load distribution in warehouses and storage areas, as well as the supply of raw materials and components to production and assembly lines. All materials can be moved either manually or using motorised systems.

Among the many advantages of conveyor belts, we can highlight:

Fast material handling

Any type of product can be moved from one sector to another much more quickly. Handling and transport time is significantly reduced when using conveyor belts, optimising the overall operation.

Efficiency and productivity

In addition to speeding up manual transport, conveyor belts allow activities to be mapped and work processes to be established with strategic workforce positioning.