Essential Considerations When Selecting Conveyor Belts
Choosing the right conveyor belting is a task best entrusted to an expert, whether they work for a belting manufacturer, distributor, or as an independent consultant. A correctly specified and manufactured belt ensures optimal performance and longevity at minimal cost. Conversely, making an improper selection or substitution can lead to severe consequences. 
When specifying a conveyor belt, it's crucial to consider various operational parameters and material conditions:
Thickness
Ensure thickness remains within specific tolerances +/- 20 percent for thinner covers like 2.4 millimeters (0.094 inch), and +/- 5 percent for cover gauges exceeding 19 millimeters (0.75 inches).
Camber or Bow
Limit camber or bow to 0.25 percent (0.0025), allowing a dimensional variation of +/- 25 millimeters in 10 meters (0.75 inches in 25 feet). Camber refers to the convex edge of the belt, while bow denotes the concave edge. According to RMA standards, bow (and camber) is the ratio of the deviation between the actual belt edge and a straight line stretched between two points 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet) apart along the belt edge. For instance, a deviation of 450 millimeters (0.45 meters) over 30 meters equates to a 1.5 percent camber in metric, or 1.5 feet over 100 feet in Imperial measurements.
Belt Surface
Specify a smooth, flat, and uniformly textured belt surface within +/- 5 hardness points on the Shore A Durometer scale (30 to 95 points). Higher durometer numbers indicate harder compounds. The International Rubber Hardness Degrees (IRHD) scale, ranging from 0 to 100, correlates with elastic modulus of 0 (0) and infinite (100) respectively.
Manufacturer’s Mark
Ensure the manufacturer’s mark is either eliminated or molded into the bottom of the belt to prevent interference with cleaning and sealing systems, rather than on the top cover.
When detailing operational parameters for a conveyor belt, include:
- Hours of operation under load and unloaded conditions
- Transfer point specifics, such as trough angle, transition distance, material trajectory, drop height, and speed
- Comprehensive description of handled materials, including lump sizes and temperature ranges
- Specification of the belt-cleaning system to be used
- Details of chemical treatments (e.g., de-icing agents, dust suppressants) to be applied
- Identification of atmospheric contaminants originating from nearby processes or other sources
- Specification of local weather extremes that the belt must endure