How to Choose the Right Belt Conveyor for Incline Applications?
When choosing the right belt conveyor for incline applications, you must consider several critical factors to ensure the conveyor effectively handles the material, maximizes efficiency, and fits spatial and operational constraints:
1. Angle of Incline
- Standard incline conveyors typically handle angles of up to about 18° to 30°. Above this, material slippage becomes a concern on flat or smooth belts.
- For angles between 18° and 90° (steep inclines), specialised designs are required, such as steep incline conveyors or pocket/sidewall belting, to prevent material rollback and enable vertical or near-vertical transport with a smaller footprint.
- The key change is replacing the passive “are required” with the specialised “you require,” making the sentence more direct by clearly identifying who needs these specialised designs.
- Cleated or chevron-patterned belts are commonly used on incline conveyors to increase grip on materials and prevent slippage at moderate angles (typically up to 30).
2. Material Characteristics
- Standard incline conveyors typically handle angles of up to about 18° to 30°. Above this, material slippage becomes a concern on flat or smooth belts.
- For angles between 18° and 90° (steep inclines), specialised designs are required, such as steep incline conveyors or pocket/sidewall belting, to prevent material rollback and enable vertical or near-vertical transport with a smaller footprint.
- The key change is replacing the passive “are required” with the specialised “you require,” making the sentence more direct by clearly identifying who needs these specialised designs.
- Cleated or chevron-patterned belts are commonly used on incline conveyors to increase grip on materials and prevent slippage at moderate angles (typically up to 30).
3. Belt Type and Surface
- Flat belts are suitable for low-angle inclines and loads ranging from light to medium.
- For incline or decline sections, belts with cleats, sidewalls, or chevron profiles are essential to hold material in place.
- Sidewall or pocket belts create “pockets” or troughs to contain material safely on steep inclines, often used in steep incline conveyors.
4. Load Capacity and Belt Width
- You must select the belt width to accommodate the material volume without spillage.
- Load capacity should include not only the materials but also the weight of components, such as rollers and feeders.
5. Conveyor Design Features
- Inclined conveyors often feature powered feeders and nose-overs to ensure a smooth transition from horizontal to inclined sections.
- Steep incline conveyors utilise multiple pulleys and rollers arranged vertically to minimise space usage while maintaining consistent feed and discharge rates.
6. Maintenance and Operational Environment
- The material, operating environment (e.g., temperature, chemical exposure), and operational demands influence a belt conveyor’s maintenance needs and lifespan.
- Modular and adjustable systems facilitate easier adaptation as business needs evolve.
Summary Table: Incline Conveyor Selection Criteria
| Factor | Recommendations | Typical Range / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incline Angle |
Up to 18°: Flat or lightly cleated belts 18°–30°: Cleated or chevron belts 30°–90°: Sidewall or pocket belts |
Cleated belts effective up to ~30° Sidewall belts for steep or vertical inclines |
| Belt Type | Match the belt type (flat, chevron, sidewall) to the angle and material | Chevron patterns enhance grip without cleats |
| Material Type | Adjust belt strength and surface to material abrasiveness and moisture | Heavy or sticky materials need specialized belts |
| Load Capacity & Width | Size the belt for max flow rate and lump size | Wider belts reduce spillage risk |
| Space Constraints | Use vertical incline or Z-style conveyors | Reduces floor space required for transport |
Choosing the right belt conveyor for incline applications primarily involves matching the belt design—including the angle capability, belt material, and features like cleats or sidewalls—to the specific material, space, and operational requirements of your system.
For angles over about 18°, specialised cleated or sidewall belts and steep incline conveyor designs become essential to prevent material rollback and ensure efficient transport.
Collaborating with CMS, the conveyor system experts, we can tailor a conveyor system design to meet our specific application needs.