Commonly Used Patterned Conveyor Belts
◆ Herringbone Pattern
Feature:
There are "human" shaped patterns on the belt surface that are higher than the belt body. The patterns can be open or closed, and each pattern can be divided into three types: high, medium, and low.
Purpose:
Suitable for conveying powdered, granular, and small materials with an inclination angle of ≤ 40°, as well as bagged materials.
◆ Striped Pattern
Feature:
There are strip-shaped patterns on the belt surface that are higher than the belt body. Patterns are divided into three types: high, medium, and low, and further subdivided by spacing into sparse, dense, and other forms.
Purpose:
Suitable for horizontal conveying of packaging materials with an inclination angle of ≤ 30°. If grooved, it can replace the herringbone pattern.
◆ Granular Pattern
Feature:
There are granular patterns on the belt surface that protrude from or are embedded in the belt body. Pits can also be made into square holes, edges, and cloth patterns.
Purpose:
Convex patterns: ideal for soft packaging or materials requiring grip (e.g., cardboard boxes). Concave patterns: suitable for granular materials with inclination ≤ 45°.
◆ Fan-Shaped Pattern
Feature:
There are semi-circular (or 1/4 circular) patterns on the belt surface. When the tape is grooved, the pattern is intertwined into a fan-shaped (or semi-circular) shape, belonging to the high pattern category.
Purpose:
Suitable for conveying powder, particles, and block materials with a large inclination angle of ≤ 45°.
📝 Additional Pattern Types Available:
Lawn patterns, fishbone patterns, diamond grid patterns, cross patterns, mesh patterns, inverted triangle patterns, horseshoe patterns, sawtooth patterns, small dot patterns, diamond patterns, snake skin patterns, cloth patterns, large frustum patterns, wave patterns, washboard patterns, straight patterns, golf patterns, large grid patterns, matte patterns, coarse texture patterns, grid patterns, etc. — all suitable for different performance requirements in various industrial environments.
Composition and Variety
Composition
The patterned conveyor belt consists of two parts: the base belt and the patterned belt.
Common Varieties
Due to different materials being transported and varying inclination angles, the required pattern shape and height also differ. Common varieties include: herringbone, octagonal, fishbone, U-shaped, cylindrical, pockmarked, etc. — or designed per user requirements, suitable for powder, granular, and block materials with inclination angles less than 30°.
Maintenance of Patterned Conveyor Belts
- Keep the belt clean during transportation and storage. Avoid direct sunlight or rain/snow exposure. Prevent contact with acids, alkalis, oils, or organic solvents. Maintain a distance of at least one meter from heating devices.
- Storage warehouse temperature should be maintained between 18–40 °C; relative humidity between 50–80%.
- During storage, conveyor belts must be placed in rolls — never folded. Flip once every quarter.
- Do not use conveyor belts of different types and specifications together. Use adhesive bonding for joints.
- Select the type, structure, specifications, and number of layers of conveyor belt reasonably based on usage conditions.
- Running speed should generally not exceed 2.5 m/s. For large block sizes, high wear, or fixed unloading devices, use low speed as much as possible.
- Properly select the transmission drum diameter, drum matching, and idler groove angle according to conveyor design regulations.
- Feeding direction should follow the belt's running direction. Use a chute to minimize material drop distance. Use buffer rollers in the receiving section and a soft material-blocking plate to protect the belt surface.
Precautions
With the popularization of conveyor belts in industrial production, multiple varieties, high performance, lightweight, multifunctional design, and long service life are key concerns for manufacturers. Correct usage of conveyor belts in industrial production is particularly important. The following precautions should be observed:
- Avoid rollers being covered by material causing ineffective rotation. Prevent material leakage from getting stuck between drum and tape. Lubricate all moving parts of the conveyor belt — but do not apply oil directly to the conveyor belt.
- Prevent the conveyor belt from starting under load.
- If the conveyor belt deviates, take timely corrective measures.
- When local damage is found on the conveyor belt, use artificial cotton for timely repair to prevent expansion.
- Avoid the conveyor belt being blocked by the frame, pillars, or block materials to prevent collision, breakage, and tearing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q What is a patterned conveyor belt and how does it differ from a standard conveyor belt?
A patterned conveyor belt features a patterned covering adhesive on the working surface, allowing it to transport materials on inclined paths without sliding. Standard flat belts are typically only suitable for horizontal or low-angle conveying, whereas patterned belts can handle inclination angles up to 40–45° depending on the pattern type.
Q What inclination angles are patterned conveyor belts suitable for?
Different pattern types accommodate different inclination angles. Herringbone and striped patterns are suitable for up to 40° and 30° respectively, while granular and fan-shaped patterns can handle inclinations up to 45°. Always select the pattern type based on the specific angle requirements of your application.
Q What core materials are available for patterned conveyor belts?
Patterned conveyor belts are available with several core materials: ordinary cotton canvas (CC), polyester cotton blended canvas (CP), nylon (NN), and polyester (EP). The choice of core material depends on load requirements, operating environment, and desired belt flexibility and strength.
Q How should patterned conveyor belts be stored to maximize their lifespan?
Belts should be stored in a clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight, rain, and chemical exposure (acids, alkalis, oils, solvents). The warehouse temperature should be 18–40 °C with 50–80% relative humidity. Belts must be stored in rolls (not folded) and rotated once every quarter to prevent deformation.
Q Can pattern shapes on conveyor belts be customized?
Yes. While standard pattern types such as herringbone, striped, granular, and fan-shaped are widely available, manufacturers can design custom pattern shapes and heights based on specific user requirements. This allows the belt to be optimized for unique materials, inclination angles, or operational environments.
Q What is the recommended maximum operating speed for a patterned conveyor belt?
The running speed of a patterned conveyor belt should generally not exceed 2.5 meters per second. For applications involving large block-size materials, high abrasion, or fixed unloading devices, it is recommended to operate at lower speeds to minimize wear and prevent belt damage.