Basics
Material to be Conveyed
Sandwich belt conveyors are able to transport a wide variety of materials in bulk. Notwithstanding this, factors which affect the performance of a conveyor belt, its success or failure often depends on whether or not the designer completely understands the properties and characteristics of the material to be transported.
Knowing how a particular material will behave when it is dropped down a loading chute onto a belt conveyor below and whether a material is dusty, abrasive, free-flowing or extremely wet, is helpful to the engineer and in the long run, ensures that the client receives a conveyor that meets his expectations.
In the case of sandwich conveyors, knowing the surcharge angle of the material, the particle size distribution and the maximum lump size are perhaps more important than is the case with for example, troughed conveyors.
Material Class Description
Material Characteristics and Bulk Density
Material Angle of Repose and Surcharge Angle
If details about the material to be conveyed are known and fall within the experience of the designer, the engineer is able to cater for the specific features necessary on the conveyor which will ensure that the material can be loaded, conveyed and discharged in accordance with the users specification. This will in turn lead to a more reliable and efficient troughed belt conveyor operation.
From the above it is obvious that the conveyor designer must have a firm grasp on the properties of the material which is to be transported along the conveyor in addition to a fundamental understanding and appreciation of belt conveyor design.