Choosing a type of conveyor belt.

[fzz]

Hi all,

i would like to seek some help with regards to choosing of the types of belting for a conveyor.

Currently, I'm doing up a small conveyor project which transports a magnetic ticket. The idea is that the ticket is 'sandwiched' in between two belts.

the youtube link provided below is my product design and it'll give a clearer view on how the ticket moves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiG_UMSAKn8

Basically, the belts are in contact with each other and the move through friction created between them.


The problem is that I'm not too sure on what [link ]type of belts[/url] should i use.

http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/fizeob/?action=view&current=DivertorRollers.jpg

The image link that i've attached shows a similar product. It shows that the top and bottom belts are of a different material. I think the bottom one is rubber but am not sure about the top belt.

Any ideas? is it nylon, cotton or polyester? os something else?

hope to get some feedback,
thanks

 

[FACS]

The picture shows a Buna bottom belt and the top is a fiber reenforced rubber, It could be neoprene or viton.

You application is really open to just about anything you want to try, it depends on the thickness available for the belt, friction requirement and strength. Of course, since it is a magnetic ticket, think about static friction....

For starters, contact your local belt manufacturer and explain to them what you want to do, that's usually what I do. Ask them for:

An endless belt of your length thickness and width. Do not get one that you have to lace together.

I would suggest you start with Urethane belting. Our coupon feeders use Urethane O-Rings to do what you are doing. We sandwich product through a series of O-rings to transfer it. Urethane is strong and lasts a long time, and is the preferred material for huger-belts. Which is what you are making. It comes in many shapes and sizes. Urethane has the friction you require, and will not scratch the product.

Stay away from cloth as it will shed material and make dust.

Start here:

http://www.fennerdrives.com/eagle_polyurethane/eagle_nonreinforced.asp

Hope this starts you off.





Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[Compositepro]

For the type of application you describe, and that shown in your picture, o-ring belts are almost certainly more suitable than flat belts. Tracking control of o-rings is far more robust and simpler. The grip of the o-rings on a card will be better because the top set of o-rings interdigitates with the bottom set. Flat belts cannot clamp onto a thin object well. And o-rings are far less expensive.

 

[fzz]

Hi guys,

thanks for the information, they're really great for a start.

I forgot to mention one thing though.
The linked picture will give a better view.

http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/fizeob/?action=view&current=Motor1Connection.png

For this conveyor design (linked), a motor is link to one of the top rollers (circled in red). Therefore, when it operates, the top belts will move. At the same time, since the 2 belts are in contact, the bottom belt will also move. the whole conveyor length is just about 20cm.

So, movement of the bottom belt depends on the friction created by the top belt.
In this case, apart from just 'sandwiching' the ticket, the 2 belts very much depend on each other for the operation of the conveyor.

If i were to use the same type for the top and bottom belts, for example urethane, will the friction created between them cause a shorter lifespan on the belts in due time? higher wear and tear?
Will the O-rings be practical in this setup?

regards,
fzz

 

[FACS]

I would not run the bottom belt with the top belt.
Both belts should be powered. You are going to rely on the ticket to actually transfer the motion once it is sandwiched, what is going to happen if the ticket slips? Why rely on friction to drive when you have a perfectly good motor to do the work. Take that potential problem out of the equation.



Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[fzz]

To run both the top and bottom belts would require me to add in a gearing mechanism between the rollers (idler gear/wheel) which may or may not add bulk or complicate the conveyor design. i have 3 sets of conveyor system in place. So that got me wondering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJszzVl29kI

The video linked shows a similar conveyor mechanism with the ticket moving through it.
i am currently trying to sort of like replicate this system into my project.

its just too bad that i don't have the manuals or any information on the machine in the video.

regards,
fzz