The image that comes to mind when you first hear "conveyor belt" is probably a grocery store checkout conveyor or even the belt of a treadmill. To keep up with the increasing demands of safety and productivity standards, many modern conveyors are made of different materials than the black rubber or cloth blend types envisioned above. That's where material handling plastics come in. Let's learn more about the advantages plastic has to offer when used as a conveyor belt solution across industries.
Which Plastics Are Used In Plastic Material Handling Equipment?
Of the many types of plastics, material conveying equipment is most commonly made of either thermoplastics or thermosets. To be more specific, most plastic modular belts and sprockets found on the market today are made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polycarbonate. These kinds of plastic conveyors are most commonly found within the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in facilities with unique spatial needs. Their benefits are numerous and highly important to the safe and efficient handling of the products they carry. Keep reading to learn more!
Positive Driving Force
Rather than relying on friction, plastic modular conveyor belts use positive drive — they are pulled forward by sprockets on the bottom of the belt. Thanks to the reduced friction, the tracking of plastic material handling equipment functions more consistently than standard belts, ensuring greater efficiency and less wear and tear over time.
Flexibility Of Design
Plastic material handling conveyors can be curved, have an incline or decline, or just move straight ahead without the need for multiple pieces of equipment. Thermoplastics like polypropylene and polycarbonate can easily be molded into any shape to fit the unique functions the conveyor will have to perform. Conveying plastics are ideal for facilities that are short on floor space or have multiple levels of conveyance to cover.
Replaceable Sections
Rather than having to change out an entire belt if a part becomes damaged, plastic material handling conveyors allow you to simply replace the broken section. This is because of the specialized module sections that come standard in a plastic conveyor belt. It's a time and cost-effective way to keep your facility running smoothly.
Easy Sanitization
Because it's so easy to take a plastic conveyor belt apart, sanitizing the belt takes very little time. In fact, many plastic material handling conveyors are FDA-approved for the safe handling of food and pharmaceutical products. On top of being easy to clean, plastics are resistant to all kinds of mold and bacteria.
Temperature Tolerance
Material handling plastics are also known for their temperature resistance. In the food industry, for example, plastic conveyor belts can be used to transfer food from a cooking oven to a cooling area without issue. Their resistance to abrasions and corrosion is also helpful for standing up to more volatile materials like pharmaceutical components.
Summing Up The Benefits Of Conveying Plastics
- The positive drive of plastic conveyor belts equals less wear and tear.
- Their design flexibility allows them to fit any need.
- Replaceable sections make maintenance quick and cost-effective.
- Sanitization and mold and bacteria resistance make them ideal for the food and drug industries.
- They are resistant to high and low temperatures.
Keep Learning About The World Of Plastics With A&C Plastics
Material handling plastics are just one facet of the many applications that plastics can be used for. With A&C Plastics, you can keep expanding your knowledge in our resource center to find out which plastics would work best for your unique needs. Check it out today!
