Stainless Steel Conveyors - The Choice for Industries
As there are different
types of industries, so have conveyor belt service providers created a variety
of products that will meet the customers’ needs. When it comes to industrial
applications, stainless steel conveyor has been the preferable type of system.
Benefits
to using stainless for conveyor belts:
· Stainless steel conveyor can be designed
to be resistant towards corrosion. This is achieved by using electro nickel
components within the conveyor, which reduces the chances of corrosion.
·
They are easy to clean and maintain.
·
As a material, stainless steel can help
to extend the lifespan of a carbon steel pulley.
·
Stainless steel pulleys can be designed
to prevent buildup of bacteria on the conveyor.
·
It is easy to design a waste or debris
removal slots and flush end plates on stainless steel conveyor.
·
A long production line can be broken up
into sections for easy delivery and installation.
Creating a Custom Designed Conveyor Belt
An understanding of the above benefits will definitely help when working with a conveyor assembly provider to create custom conveyor belts for your factory. It is important that all aspects of the conveyor should be clearly defined during the design process. The provider should understand all the requirements for the factory and the belt.
· Type of steel: The most popular type of steel used is 304 grade stainless steel. It is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of products. Its characteristics make it ideal for forming and welding.
· Conveyor Belt Design: When designing the
conveyor belt, one has to take into account many factors such as overall size
of the facility, free space available, speed at which the belt moves, etc. There
are specifications that should be adhered to:
o
The entire design should provide ease of
access and maintain hygiene.
o
The frames should be TIG or MIG welded.
o
Design the conveyor path so as to ensure
ease of product transport
o
Flat or straight cleated belts would be
preferable.
o Design more inclined surfaces for better drainage of water and waste.
· Safety and Hygiene: This is an important
point to be kept in mind. Any buildup of bacteria on the conveyor belt can lead
to sanitation procedures, loss of time, and increased downtime.
o
All components, including the bearings,
pulleys, and drive components have to be made out of high grade stainless
steel.
o The quality of the steel can lead the way to ensure safe designs and a completely sanitized product.
These are some of the advantages and benefits to
using stainless steel for conveyor belt manufacturing and custom conveyor systems.