Your Guide to Conveyor Belt Types

Conveyor belts play a pivotal role in efficient material handling in various industries, including greenhouses, manufacturing, logistics, and more. In this blog, we’ll focus on two primary types of conveyor belts: bed and roller belts.

These two systems have distinct characteristics and are utilized for different applications. We’ll explore bed and roller belts’ differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

Types of Conveyor Belts: Bed Belts vs. Roller Belts

Bed belts. Roller belts. Which is best for your application? Let’s dive in!

What Are Bed Belt Conveyor Systems?

Bed belt conveyor systems, also known as flat belt conveyors, are widely used in industries for transporting goods and materials. As the name suggests, these conveyors consist of a flat bed or surface made of durable material, such as rubber or fabric, which supports and carries the items being conveyed. 

Bed belts are typically powered by a motorized pulley or drive unit located at one end of the conveyor. The belt is continuously looped around a series of rollers or pulleys, creating a smooth and reliable surface for transporting items from one point to another. 

Bed belt conveyor systems are versatile and can handle a wide range of products. They are ideal for applications where stability, gentle handling, and control over the conveyed items are crucial.

The Pros & Cons of Bed Belt Conveyor Systems

THE PROS:

• Versatility: They can handle many types of products, including small, lightweight items and heavy, bulky loads.
• Gentle Handling: The flat surface of the bed belt provides smooth and even support, allowing for gentle handling of delicate or fragile items during transportation.
• Control and Stability: The flatbed surface ensures excellent control over the conveyed items, minimizing the risk of product damage or shifting during transit.
• Easy Maintenance: Thanks to their simple design and accessible components, bed belt conveyors are relatively easy to maintain and clean.

THE CONS:

• Limited Incline Capability: Bed belt conveyors aren‘t typically suited for applications requiring significant inclines or vertical lifts. Their design is better suited for horizontal or slight incline transportation.
• Noise and Vibrations: Compared to other conveyor systems, bed belt conveyors can generate more noise and vibrations, especially when conveying heavier loads.

Common Applications of Bed Belt Conveyor Systems

Because of their versatility and gentle handling capabilities, bed belt conveyor systems are found in many industries. Some common applications of bed belt conveyor systems include:

• Manufacturing & Assembly
• Warehousing & Distribution
• Food Processing & Packaging
• E-Commerce & Logistics
• Airport Baggage Handling
• Postal & Parcel Services
• Automotive Industry
• Greenhouses
• Cannabis Industry

What Are Roller Belt Conveyor Systems?

Roller belt conveyor systems, also known as roller conveyors, are a common type of conveyor system. These conveyors consist of rollers connected by a belt, typically made of rubber or a similar material. The belt is looped around the rollers, creating a continuous surface for conveying items.

The rollers in a roller belt conveyor system can be powered or non-powered. Powered rollers are driven by a motorized pulley or drive unit, providing motion to the belt and enabling the transportation of goods. Non-powered rollers, also known as gravity rollers, rely on the force of gravity to move items along the conveyor.

The Pros & Cons of Roller Belt Conveyor Systems

THE PROS:

• Easy Accumulation: Gravity roller conveyors allow for the easy accumulation of items since they naturally create gaps between products, preventing collisions.
• Low Friction: The rollers in roller belt conveyors reduce friction, allowing for smooth and effortless movement of items along the line.
• Simple Maintenance: They’re generally easy to maintain since they have few moving parts.

THE CONS:

• Limited Control: Roller conveyors may provide less control over the movement of items compared to other conveyor types.
• Potential for Product Damage: Certain delicate or easily damaged products may require additional protection or specialized handling methods.
• Noise and Vibrations: Depending on the design and load being transported, roller belt conveyors can generate loud noises and vibrations. This may need to be considered in environments where noise reduction is essential.

Common Applications of Roller Belt Conveyor Systems

Some of the most common applications of roller belt conveyor systems include the following:

• Mining & Quarrying
• Carton Handling
• Pallet Handling
• Automotive Industry
• Food & Beverage Industry

We Recommend Bed Belt Conveyor Systems – Here Are 3 Reasons Why

Determining whether bed belt conveyor systems are better than roller belt systems or vice versa depends on the context of your application. While both types of conveyors have their own advantages, bed belt conveyor systems offer certain benefits that make them preferable in certain situations. 

1. Bed belt systems provide a flat and stable surface for item transportation, ensuring better stability and control, especially for smaller or irregularly shaped items prone to tipping or getting stuck between rollers in a roller belt system. Bed belts offer enhanced support, minimizing the risk of product damage and ensuring smooth material flow.
2. Bed belt conveyors have simpler designs with fewer moving parts than roller belt systems. This simplicity makes maintenance and cleaning easier, reducing downtime and enhancing system reliability.
3. Bed belt conveyors are well-suited for applications requiring gentle handling of delicate or fragile items. The flat surface reduces the risk of things being jostled or bumped during transportation, ensuring safer and more careful handling of your materials.

Invest in Our Bed Belt Conveyor System for Your Business

When searching for a versatile, high-quality flatbed conveyor belt or bed belt for your business, look no further than RapidVeyor. By investing in our conveyor systems, business owners can benefit from innovative design, reliable performance, customization options, ease of installation and maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. These factors make RapidVeyor a compelling choice for enhancing material handling processes and achieving operational success.

Want to learn more about our portable, modular conveyor system? Give us a call today!

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