Chevron, Cleated or Flat? Do you know your Conveyor Belts?
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conveyor belt

Choosing the right conveyor belt for a materials recycling plant is crucial for efficient operations and equipment longevity. Conveyor belts come in various types, each designed for specific materials and operating conditions. The three primary types of belts used in recycling plants are chevron, cleated, and flat belts. Understanding their differences and applications will help you select the most suitable conveyor belt for your recycling plant.

 

conveyor belts   conveyor belt

Chevron Belts

Characteristics:

Chevron conveyor belts are distinguished by the V-shaped pattern of cleats on their surface.

Depending on the application, these patterns can vary in height, width, and spacing.

Best Suited For:

  • They are ideal for transporting bulk or packed materials on inclines and declines.
  • The chevron pattern helps prevent the materials from sliding back.
  • Particularly effective for materials like coal, minerals, sand, and gravel.

Advantages:

  • It provides increased carrying capacity compared to flat belts.
  • Prevents material spillage and slipping.
  • Suitable for conveying materials at angles of up to 40 degrees.
Cleated Belts

Characteristics:

Cleated conveyor belts have raised sections (cleats) across their width, which are integral to the belt. The height, spacing, and type of cleat can be tailored to the specific material being transported.

Best Suited For:

  • Designed for moving materials vertically or at high inclines.
  • Excellent for materials that require gentle handling, such as recycled plastics, glass, or electronic scrap.

Advantages:

  • Prevents material rollback on steep inclines.
  • Helps in organising and separating materials during transport.
  • Facilitates higher conveying speeds and efficient material handling.
Flat Belts

Characteristics:

Flat conveyor belts are the most traditional and common type. They feature a smooth, flat surface without any cleats or patterns.

Best Suited For:

  • Ideal for transporting materials over short to medium distances on horizontal or slightly inclined paths.
  • Suitable for various materials, including paper, cardboard, and light metals.

Advantages:

  • Versatility in handling different types of materials.
  • Lower maintenance requirements compared to patterned belts.
  • It provides a stable and flat surface for materials, reducing spillage.

The choice of conveyor belt in a materials recycling plant depends on several factors, including the type of material, the incline of transport, and the need for material separation. Chevron and cleated belts are excellent for high-incline situations and preventing material rollback, while flat belts are versatile for general purposes.

Keep Conveyor Belts Clean and Moving

Understanding the specific needs of your recycling plant and the characteristics of the processed materials is key to selecting the most efficient and cost-effective conveyor belt system.

Maintaining clean conveyor belts, no matter which type, in MRFs is crucial for operational efficiency and the longevity of the belt system. In the fast-paced environment of a recycling plant, conveyor belts are subjected to a range of materials, some of which can be particularly abrasive or corrosive. Accumulation of these materials on the conveyor belt not only affects the belt’s lifespan but also impacts the efficiency of the recycling process.

The Dreaded Downtime

Firstly, debris and residual materials on conveyor belts can lead to increased wear and tear. This can cause premature belt degradation, leading to more frequent replacements and downtime for maintenance. Moreover, a dirty conveyor belt is more prone to slippage, which can reduce the belt’s efficiency and potentially cause disruptions in the material flow. This slippage not only slows down operations but also poses a safety risk to operatives.

Avoiding Contaminants

Another critical aspect is the impact on the quality of the recycled materials. Contaminants left on the belt can mix with other materials, leading to reduced purity of the separated elements. This contamination can decrease the overall quality of the recycled output, potentially reducing its market value or suitability for certain applications.

Damage Limitation

Clean belts are more accessible to inspect for wear and tear, allowing for timely maintenance actions to prevent more significant issues. Regular cleaning also prevents the buildup of materials that could damage the belt or the conveyor system.

In summary, the cleanliness of conveyor belts in a materials recycling plant is a significant factor in ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and the quality of the recycled product. Regular and thorough cleaning of conveyor belts is an essential practice for any materials recycling facility aiming for optimum performance and longevity of their equipment.

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MATT BEVERLEY

A time served Mechanical engineer Matt’s background includes many high-profile projects within the Automotive Industry: The Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Spyker Le-Mans racing teams, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Airbus A380. This history and knowledge of complex manufacturing and engineering projects have been transferred and further developed into the bulk material handling sector. Matt has work in Europe, North America, Indonesia, and China

He joined the bulk solids and bulk handling industry in 2019 as Managing Director of Hoverdale UK Ltd and subsequently completed a Management buyout in July 2020. The business has grown yearly, increased employment, its customer base, and worldwide reputation, and disrupted the market with groundbreaking innovative technology. Since Matt took over Hoverdale, the company has filed four patents for innovation; one was granted in 2023 for a design to improve bulk handling. The success had been driven by delivering tailored solutions to the waste recycling sectors that keep material flowing out and money flowing in.

Awards Include

  • 2024 – Shapa company of the Year
  • 2024- Shapa Innovation in Technology
  • 2024- MHEA Engineer of the year
  • 2021 – MHEA Innovation of the year
  • 2021- IMechE Innovation award

Current Positions Include.

  • Group Chairman Hoverdale UK Ltd
  • President (MHEA) Material Handling Engineers Association
  • Vice Chairman: IMechE Bulk Material Handling Committee
  • Council Member: (SHAPA) Solids Handling & Particle Association
  • Member: Chartered Management Institute

Matt has been happily married to Julie for 22 years and has 4 children, 3 of which are involved within the Hoverdale group of companies. He is an RFU level 2 qualified coach and referee having been in several head coaching roles at various age groups from under 6’s to adults for his local team Nuneaton RFC. He believes in the core values that rugby teaches of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship and try’s to carry this through in his day to day business activities. He is passionate at brining the next generation of young, diverse engineers into the sector through promotion of apprenticeship scheme and further education routes.

DAVID BARTER

David is an experienced leader, with a background covering Operations, eCommerce, Finance, Compliance, HR and IT. His career spans Banking, Retail and Engineering, spending the majority of his career working for ALDI as they grew to become 4th largest supermarket in the UK, including seven years on their UK board as Managing Director of IT and eCommerce.

David joined Hoverdale’s Senior Management Team in 2023 to seek a fresh challenge in a completely different industry sector. He has applied his approach to Process Improvement, Efficiency, Customer Service and Teamwork to great effect during Hoverdale’s sustained growth.

Married to Jane, with three adult sons between them, David volunteers on the board of the Nottingham Playhouse theatre as well as his local rugby and football clubs. Any spare time he spends enjoying walks with their Golden Retriever, Buzz, who is also regularly seen in the Hoverdale office.

BEN DUCHESNE

Ben is a time serviced field service engineer in the busy waste and recycling sector, who’s career moved into to managing service teams and beyond. Originally beginning his career with a HGV repair and maintenance apprenticeship with IVECO, from there travelling and working in multiple countries moving towards waste processing shredders.

Ben joined the Hoverdale team in September 2024 seeking to apply his extensive knowledge to a new area. His values and ethics fit perfectly within the Hoverdale ethos.

He is happily married to Kristina, with 4 wonderful young children; 14, 11, 8 and 5. We the children he doesn’t get much spare time. He is a family man, who enjoys spending as much time with them as possible.