--- title: Pros Of Using Advanced Conveyor Sealing System Designs description: Explore the evolution of conveyor belt skirtboard seals, from primitive systems to advanced elastomer designs that enhance sealing effectiveness and prevent material escape. --- [Skip to content](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/engineered-belt-conveyor-sealing-systems#main-content) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png?height=40&name=MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png)](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) - [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance) [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance?hsLang=en) Hi! How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Foundations™ Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) # Pros Of Using Advanced Conveyor Sealing System Designs ## The Evolution of Skirtboard Sealing Systems Early conveyor belts did not include [specifically designed skirtboard seals.](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-skirtboard-construction?hsLang=en) Instead, operators sometimes used spare materials like used belting or large "barge" ropes wedged between the skirtboard and the belt, or loosely held in place by their own weight. While these early systems were cost-effective, they were largely unsuccessful. Materials frequently became caught in the seals, causing increased abrasion along the belt's edge, and operators had no means to adjust or correct the issues. | ![A view of the tail-end of a conveyor with an arrow pointing to a strip of belting that had been laid next to the chute wall to act as sealing.](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1305H.png?width=670&height=503&name=1305H.png) | | --- | | *The first skirtboard seals were fabricated in-house from readily-available materials such as used belting or large “barge” ropes. These primitive sealing systems were pushed down onto the belt edges or held in position by gravity.* | Recognizing the critical need for seals at pivotal points, [designers began incorporating more advanced systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-skirtboard-as-a-settling-area?hsLang=en) capable of containing fine-grained materials and dust. Today, many of these systems feature a long strip of elastomer secured against the lower edge of the skirtboard using clamps. Skirtboard seals generally fall into categories depending on their connection to the skirtboard: dropping straight down, extending back inside, or sealing the belt on the outside. Advanced designs often include multiple-layer elastomers with molded-in flaps serving as secondary seals. These secondary strips create channels that capture fines, gently guiding them along the belt and returning them to the main material flow. Effective sealing requires adequate free-belt distance, which is the belt length outside the skirtboard where seals are typically installed. Unfortunately, this distance is often reduced to maximize load on narrower belts, compromising the effectiveness of the sealing system. - [Basics of Belt Conveyor Systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems?hsLang=en) - [Conveyor Belt Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage?hsLang=en) - [Material Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning?hsLang=en) - [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety?hsLang=en) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/dust-management?hsLang=en) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-flow?hsLang=en) - [New Technology and Innovation](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor System Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance?hsLang=en) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png?width=196&height=55&name=MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png "Martin Engineering Signature Logo")](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) Foundations™ Learning Center Copyright © 2025, Martin Engineering