Types and Applications of Conveyor Systems
Conveyor Systems: Types and Applications
A conveyor system facilitates constant movement between two predetermined points. They are widely used in mining, manufacturing, loading and unloading terminals, shipping and receiving terminals, and warehouses. Conveyor equipment has a wide range of applications and can be belt, tape, or wire mesh, generally used for transporting large amounts of material.
The metal strips can be made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or steel coated with rubber. The maximum angle of inclination for mats depends on the characteristics of the material (typically between 20 and 35 degrees).
Conveyor belts have the disadvantage of limited flexibility in their trajectory.
Screw Conveyors
Screw conveyors are suitable for handling powdered, non-corrosive, or abrasive materials. They are commonly used in silos, windmills, and pharmaceutical applications. Transport is achieved by rotating the longitudinal axis of the screw.
Magnetic Conveyors
Magnetic equipment transporters are used for moving parts and containers made of iron and steel. They consist of two iron bands magnetized by permanent magnets placed on the back of a carrier tape, with a pole in each band. This allows ferrous materials to be attracted and conducted along both vertical and horizontal trajectories, and even turned (FRENDO, etc.).
- Advantages: Quiet operation, requires little space and maintenance, and can work underwater.
- Disadvantages: Only transports ferrous materials.
Pneumatic Conveyors
Pneumatic conveyors are used for transporting granular materials in silos, mills, and ports. They consist of a set of pipes and a motor system that generates a stream of air.
- Advantages: Can operate in any direction, provide complete sealing, require little space, and have low maintenance costs.
- Disadvantages: Only suitable for materials with small particle sizes and non-abrasive properties.
Gravity Conveyors (Non-Powered)
Conveyor idlers with no drive mechanism rely solely on gravity or manual force. This is an economical transportation system requiring no maintenance and allows the transport of all non-bulk materials. The bottom surface of the material should be hard and flat, and at least three rollers should be in contact with the load simultaneously.
Air Conveyors
Air conveyors prevent contamination problems, allow the use of airspace, and have low initial and maintenance costs.
Belt Conveyors in Mining
Conveyor belts are widely used in the mining sector, and belt conveyor technology is continually advancing. Sandvik designs belt conveyors for long distances, high transmission capacity, and high belt speeds. There are projects for conveyors with horizontal curves that follow the topography of the land. Operational safety is a fundamental issue in all stages, from the exhaust stream and the material rheology of rubber to control systems and instrumentation.
Belt Conveyor Components and Applications
A belt conveyor device consists of a horizontal or inclined (upward or downward) belt, which may be curved (convex or concave) or a combination of these profiles, for handling bulk materials. Transport is achieved by a continuous, reversible or non-reversible belt motion, moving on drums, rollers, or sliding tables. This equipment is used for handling various types of materials, from food to minerals, and may be part of an automated processing system or used for simple material transport. In mining, conveyors can be used in extraction, processing, storage, and ore shipment areas. More specifically, belt conveyors can be used in primary crushing, interconnection crushing between primary and secondary/tertiary processing plants. Sandvik also undertakes special conveyor projects, including curved, tubular, and regenerative conveyors. They possess advanced technology in this area, such as dynamic modeling, power analysis, material flow control systems, and specialized instrumentation.