Technical Glossary
Conveyor belt and industrial material handling technical terms
- Abrasion
- Surface wear of the belt caused by friction with hard material. Measured in mm³ per DIN 53516 and defines the cover grade (X, Y, Z).
- AISI 304 Stainless Steel
- Austenitic alloy 18/8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel). GBS standard for conveyor system structures due to corrosion resistance and cleanability.
- Surcharge Angle
- Natural angle formed by material loaded on the belt relative to horizontal. Depends on material properties.
- Trough
- Inclination angle of side idlers forming a U-shaped profile on the belt, maximizing load capacity. Typical values: 20°, 30°, 35°, or 45°.
- Modular Belt
- Belt made of plastic modules interconnected by rods. Enables curved, inclined, and spiral configurations. Damaged module is replaced without changing the entire belt.
- Tension Calculation
- CEMA engineering procedure to determine maximum, minimum, and working tensions in the belt. Defines the required carcass type.
- Volumetric Capacity
- Volume of material the belt can transport per unit of time, calculated from width, speed, and trough angle.
- SBR Rubber
- Styrene-butadiene rubber. Most common synthetic compound for general-application belt covers and abrasion resistance.
- CIP
- Cleaning In Place. Automated cleaning system without dismounting equipment, common in food and pharmaceutical industry.
- Bolted Construction
- Construction philosophy where all components are joined by bolts instead of welding. Allows maintenance, scalability, and reuse.
- Counterweight
- Mass applied to a gravity tensioning system that guarantees constant belt tension regardless of elongation.
- Mechanical Splice
- Belt end joining via metal fasteners or clips. Quick and removable solution, primarily used for lightweight textile belts and applications where vulcanized splice durability is not critical.
- Vulcanized Splice
- Permanent joining of belt ends through application of heat and pressure (vulcanization). Results in a splice with strength equal to or greater than the original belt.
- EPDM
- Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Excellent resistance to temperature, ozone, and aging. Used in high-temperature belts.
- Service Factor
- Coefficient applied in drive power calculation to account for actual operating conditions (starts, load variations, climate).
- Skirting
- Side structure with flexible seals at the loading zone that prevents material spillage off the belt.
- FDA
- Food and Drug Administration (USA). Regulation 21 CFR 177.1680 applies to materials in direct contact with food.
- DIN 22102 Cover Grade
- German belt cover classification: Grade W (medium resistance), Y (high), X (very high), Z (economic).
- Side Guide
- Element that maintains the lateral alignment of the belt, preventing deviations that cause structural rubbing and premature wear.
- CEMA Standard
- Set of technical specifications published by the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association. The CEMA Belt Book 7th Edition is the global reference standard for design, calculation, and specification of conveyor belt systems.
- Drive Pulley
- Pulley connected to the motor-gearbox that transmits motion to the belt through friction. Usually located at the head of the conveyor.
- Take-Up Pulley
- Pulley that maintains proper belt tension, compensating for natural elongation during operation. Can be gravity, screw, or pneumatic type.
- PU
- Polyurethane. Premium thermoplastic material, FDA-certifiable, used in food and pharmaceutical industry belts.
- PVC
- Polyvinyl Chloride. Thermoplastic material used in belts for general applications: logistics, packaging, and discrete unit handling.
- Primary Cleaner
- Cleaning device mounted against the head pulley, making first contact with the belt to remove the majority of adhered material.
- Secondary Cleaner
- Cleaning device mounted after the primary cleaner to remove residual material. Combined, they drastically reduce carry-back.
- Impact Idler
- Idler with rubber rings that absorbs material impact at loading and transfer zones, protecting the belt from damage and extending its service life.
- Cleat
- Transverse profile welded or vulcanized on the belt that prevents material sliding on steep inclines.
- TPH
- Tons Per Hour. Standard unit for expressing belt transport capacity.
- Carrying Run
- Belt run where material is being carried. Supported by carrying idlers usually in trough configuration.
- Return Run
- Lower belt run, unloaded, returning to the starting point. Supported by flat or V-return idlers.
- Transfer
- Point where material passes from one belt to another. Critical zone requiring careful design to prevent spillage and wear.
- IP Beams
- Double-T steel structural profiles (also called IPN or IPE). Standard base for modular heavy-duty conveyor structures.