Belt Scrapers: Different Types for Conveyor Belts & Systems
Belt scrapers are essential components in conveyor belt systems, used in various sectors to ensure efficient and clean operation. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of belt scrapers, their applications in different sectors, and the features and benefits that make them important:
What are the different types of belt scrapers?
Primary Belt Scrapers:
These belt scrapers are positioned against the belt immediately after the material discharge point. They feature rigid blades for effective scraping used for the initial removal of material adhering to conveyor belt surfaces.
Secondary Belt Scrapers:
Secondary scrapers are located further down the conveyor system. They feature softer, more flexible blades and are designed to remove finer particles that the primary scraper missed.
Tertiary Scrapers:
Employed in situations where extremely clean belts are required and often used in conjunction with secondary scrapers. This is to ensure almost all residual material is removed.
Motorised Belt Scrapers:
Utilise brush-like structures for gentle scraping. Ideal for delicate materials or belts that require a softer touch. Prevents material getting stuck to return belt and material build-up on return rollers.
V-Plow Scrapers:
Positioned at the tail pulley to clean the underside of the belt. It prevents material buildup that could damage the belt or pulleys.
Features and Benefits:
Efficiency
– Improve operational efficiency by reducing material carryback.
Belt Protection
– Reduce wear and tear on the conveyor belt by removing abrasive materials.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
– Decrease downtime and maintenance requirements.
Enhanced Safety
– Minimise risks associated with material buildup and spillage.
Improved Cleanliness
– Keep the work environment cleaner and reduce material loss.
Versatility
– Suitable for various materials and environmental conditions.
Importance of Conveyor Belt Scrapers
Prevent Material Buildup: This is critical for avoiding material buildup that can cause belt misalignment and damage.
Maintain Efficiency: Ensure smooth operation and prevent blockages or slowdowns.
Prolong Belt Life: Removing abrasive materials prolongs the lifespan of the conveyor belt.
In some industries, cleanliness and material handling are regulated for health, safety and environmental reasons.
Cost-Effectiveness: They represent a cost-effective solution to maintain the high performance of conveyor systems.
In summary, conveyor scrapers are crucial for the efficient, clean, and safe operation of conveyor systems across various industries. Their ability to remove residual material from belts not only protects the conveyor system but also maintains operational efficiency and safety standards.
Conveyor Belts Glossary of Terms
Did you know? there are also lots of different types of conveyor belts: So, if you’re struggling with your knowledge of conveyor system terminology, or you just want to brush up (excuse the pun!) on what keeps your conveyors operational, the A-Z of Conveyor Belts is available here to download!
Conveyor Belt Cleaners
A heavy-duty belt cleaning system is essential for conveyor systems operating in harsh mining conditions. Also known as a belt scraper, its primary function is to remove bulk material from conveyor belts.
Belt scrapers help to prevent buildup and ensure efficient operation. They reduce the risk of belt damage, premature wear, and worker accidents by eliminating potential hazards associated with material accumulation.
PRIMARY CONVEYOR BELT CLEANERS
Primary conveyor belt cleaners are essential for improving efficiency and durability in conveyor systems. The primary scraper has a more aggressive and robust blade to handle additional materials.
The primary scraper is strategically positioned at the discharge end of the conveyor. This allows it to act as the first line of defense against carryback. It actively cleans the conveyor immediately after material transport.
SECONDARY CONVEYOR BELT CLEANERS
Secondary conveyor belt cleaners have lighter and less aggressive blades. They’re positioned further down the conveyor line to remove any remaining carryback effectively. Their simple yet efficient design allows for seamless integration into existing conveyor systems.
CONVEYOR BELT SCRAPER BENEFITS
Increased profitability by reducing the cost of unnecessary cleanup from spills.
Less material loss by scraping the belts clean at the head pulley.
Longer lasting conveyor equipment. Material that is not scraped often ends up inside the conveyor system, damaging rollers and idlers.
Reduced dust problems and belt maintenance. Fugitive dust is a by-product of material that falls from under the belt on the return trip.
Get a Belt Scraper Quote
BELT SCRAPER PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Primary Belt Cleaners: Engineered for Optimal Performance
Primary scrapers can accommodate belts up to 120 inches wide and operate at speeds up to 2,000 feet per minute. They’re manufactured out of premium-grade steel and high-performance urethane materials to withstand the rigors of continuous operation in demanding mining environments. Replacing and maintaining blades is also quick and straightforward, thanks to their user-friendly design.
Secondary Belt Cleaners: Finishing the Cleanup Job
Secondary belt scrapers are installed where the belt leaves the discharge pulley. Their purpose is to remove any material the primary cleaner missed. They are positioned close to the primary cleaner, so discharged material falls back into the main flow. Additional secondary cleaners provide final belt cleaning before the return idlers.
BELT SCRAPER FEATURES
Belt scrapers are essential for keeping conveyor belts clean and optimizing material flow. Proper selection is crucial because the scraper must be tailored to the specific needs of the conveyor system. This includes the type of material transported, the environment in which the conveyor operates, and the characteristics of the belt.
The following specs apply to both primary and secondary scrapers:
Blade Type—The primary scraper is positioned on the head pulley, removing the bulk of material from the belt. The secondary scraper is installed after the primary scraper to clean the belt further and improve cleaning efficiency.
Mounting—Fixed mounting scrapers are stationary and mounted rigidly to the conveyor structure. Floating mounting scrapers are mounted on a flexible arm or tensioner. This allows it to follow the contours of the conveyor belt.
Adjustability—Some scrapers have tension adjustment mechanisms to control the pressure applied to the belt. The blade position adjustment allows for fine-tuning the scraper’s contact with the belt.
Wear Life and Durability—The scraper material should resist wear and abrasion to ensure a longer service life. It should also resist corrosion if the conveyor operates in a corrosive environment.
Temperature Range—The scraper should be suitable for the temperature range of the conveyed material and the operating environment.
Cleaning Efficiency—The design should ensure effective cleaning without causing damage to the conveyor belt.
Compatibility—Ensure the scraper is compatible with the specific conveyor belt and system type.
Installation and Maintenance—Consider ease of installation and maintenance to minimize downtime.
Regulatory Compliance—Ensure the scraper complies with relevant safety and environmental regulations.
Customization—Some applications may require custom-designed scrapers. Check if the manufacturer provides customization options.
Documentation—Product documentation should include installation guidelines, maintenance instructions, and other relevant information.
HOW DO BELT SCRAPERS WORK?
After the main conveying process, the scrapers remove the remaining material on a belt. These scrapers are typically made of highly durable materials to withstand harsh operating conditions. They are installed at strategic points along the conveyor to prevent the material accumulation of material reduced belt damage.
Primary Belt Scrapers—The initial line of defense against carryback is primary scrapers installed at the head pulley, where the belt is most likely to retain material. They aggressively scrape off the bulk of the material adhering to the belt. This helps ensure carryback removal before the belt returns to the loading zone.
Secondary Belt Scrapers—We typically install downstream scrapers after the primary scraper to provide additional cleaning. These scrapers remove any material the primary one misses. Using multiple scrapers works well for sticky, abrasive materials or high-speed conveyors.
Self-Adjusting Mechanisms—Many modern belt scrapers have self-adjusting mechanisms that automatically adjust to changes in belt tension, wear, and other variables. This ensures the scraper maintains optimal contact with the belt, providing consistent cleaning performance.
Application-Specific Design—The need for primary and secondary scrapers can vary depending on the specific application. For instance, they’re both often used in mining and aggregate operations to handle heavy loads and abrasive materials. Properly positioned primary scrapers can prevent cross-contamination in sanitary food processing industries.
Customized Solutions—Conveyor system designers and operators can tailor the use of primary and secondary scrapers based on the specific needs of their operation. For example, a standalone primary scraper works well if the conveyor system is relatively short or the conveyed material does not present a significant carryback risk. On the other hand, long systems or those with sticky materials may need both primary and secondary scrapers to maximize cleanliness and efficiency.
Installing primary and secondary belt scrapers requires considering the material’s nature, conveyor length, and the operating environment. While using both scraper types frequently provides comprehensive cleaning, specific applications may call for using one over the other based on their particular requirements.
Get a Belt Scraper Quote
CONSIDERATIONS FOR BELT SCRAPER SELECTION
It’s essential to carefully consider your specific use case when choosing a belt scraper. They’re highly effective in industries like mining and cement, where large amounts of material are transported. The right type and size of the scraper depends on the material you’re moving, the conveyor belt width, and the workplace environmental conditions.
Abrasive materials necessitate a durable surface scraper to withstand wear and tear. Sticky materials may require a specially designed blade. Additionally, scraper materials must be rugged enough to resist extreme temperatures or chemical exposure.
Other factors to consider include:
Material Compatibility—Choose a scraper that matches the nature of the material, whether it’s abrasive, sticky, or standard.
Belt Width Compatibility—Ensure the scraper is appropriate for your conveyor belt’s width for efficient cleaning.
Environmental Resilience—Select materials that can endure the specific environmental challenges of your workplace, like high temperatures or corrosive elements.
Blade Design and Durability—Opt for a blade shape and material that offers both effectiveness in cleaning and longevity.
Maintenance and Cost—Consider how easy it is to maintain and replace parts of the scraper. Balance the initial purchase price with long-term maintenance costs.
Manufacturer Reputation and Compliance—Select a scraper from a reputable manufacturer to guarantee quality and reliability. Ensure it meets industry standards and regulations.
SCRAPERS FOR THE MINING, TUNNELING, QUARRY AND HEAVY-DUTY PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
CONVEYOR BELT SCRAPER FAQ
Q: HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCRAPERS?
A: Primary scrapers are for initial cleaning. Secondary scrapers provide additional belt cleaning in a different location on the conveyor.
Q: HOW DO I DETERMINE THE RIGHT SIZE SCRAPER FOR MY SYSTEM?
A: The size of it should match and cover the width of the conveyor belt for maximum cleaning.
Q: HOW OFTEN DO SCRAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OUT?
A: It usually depends on the environment; some will wear out a scraper faster than others. You should replace blades when they become ineffective.
Types of Conveyor Belts & Belt Cleaners
When selecting the proper belt conveyor for your process needs, it is critical to consider the different types of conveyor belts (and belt cleaners) available. In order for a conveyor to operate at its full potential, the correct belting and cleaning options must be selected.
While there are many types of conveyor belts, the most appropriate belt is determined by examining what belt characteristics will result in the most efficient handling solution for your material’s unique characteristics at any given point in the process.
Choosing the right belting for the application at hand can mean the difference between an efficient, low-maintenance conveyor, and one that requires frequent maintenance and downtime.
This article focuses on the types of conveyor belts suited for troughed belt conveyors, shuttle conveyors, and steep incline conveyors.
Types of Conveyor Belts for Troughed Belt & Shuttle Conveyors
In most cases, shuttle conveyors and troughed belt conveyors can run the same types of belts and belt cleaners. The most common options are discussed here.
Heat-Resistant Belting
For conveyors handling material coming off of hot processes, heat-resistant belts offer an excellent option, resisting degradation associated with heat. Typical conveyor belting is rated for 200°F steady operating temperature. Heat-resistant belt ratings are 400°F, but are available for temperatures as high as 750°F.
Moderate Oil-Resistant Belting
When working with moderately oily materials such as waste products or some fertilizers, an oil-resistant belt provides protection from swelling or ply separation due to oil exposure. This type of belting is also referred to as MORS.
Raised Profile (Steep Angle) Belting
Raised profile belting can be used for inclined conveyors carrying material at limited angles exceeding 20°. This type of belting features low-profile cleats to assist in preventing material fallback while conveying on an angle. Despite this raised profile, this type of belting is still flexible enough to be used on conveyors with small-radius pulleys.
Other belt types can be sourced for chemical resistance, flame retardance, and solar resistance.
Belting Options – Troughed Belt & Shuttle Conveyors Heat Resistant Raised Profile Moderate Oil Resistant
Resistant to belt degradation due to hot materials
Works great for conveyors placed in line after a kiln or dryer
Raised profiles on the belt surface reduce material fallback at steeper angles
Flexible enough to still be used on conveyors with small radius pulleys
Resistant to swelling or ply separation due to oil exposure
Works great with waste products, fertilizers, and other moderately oily materials
Belt Cleaner Options
Some materials, particularly those that are wet or sticky, have a tendency to adhere to the belt surface, causing carryback, build-up, and ultimately preventing the conveyor from operating correctly. These problems contribute to increased wear and mechanical failures, as well as higher maintenance costs and downtime.
As such, belt cleaners are an essential tool in prolonging conveyor belt life and protecting pulleys, keeping belt conveyors in optimal condition and ensuring efficient operation for years to come.
Several options and designs exist for keeping conveyor belts clean. Commonly used implements include:
Belt Cleaners (Scrapers)
A conveyor belt cleaner, also referred to as a belt scraper, is a spring-loaded blade or plate that scrapes the conveyor belt in order to clear any fugitive material sticking to the belt. The scraper blade may be made up of plastic or metal and is usually mounted at the tangent point of the discharge pulley, removing material before it is carried past the discharge point.
Dual Belt Cleaners
A dual conveyor belt cleaner setup is an ideal option for materials with a higher moisture content, or that require more aggressive belt cleaning.
This setup prevents material from traveling to idlers and other components through the use of a primary and secondary belt cleaner; by positioning a primary belt cleaner at the head pulley, the cleaner is able to remove the bulk of material. A secondary cleaner, positioned lower than the primary cleaner, sitting just behind the head pulley, removes any remaining material for a more thorough clean.
Return Side Belt Plow (V-Plow)
The return side belt plow, also commonly called a V-plow, is another belt cleaning option. This v-shaped “plow” is positioned just before the tail pulley on the return (non-carrying) side of the belt in order to prevent any large particles from getting lodged between the belt and pulley, which could otherwise cause rips and tears.
Self-cleaning Tail Pulley
In addition to external belt cleaners, self-cleaning tail pulleys are also useful in preventing material from getting pinched between the pulley and the belt, avoiding buildup and excess wear.
Various self-cleaning tail pulley designs are available on the market, including wing pulleys, chevron pulleys, spirals, and more.
Types of Conveyor Belts for Pocket Belt (Steep Incline) Conveyors
Because of their design differences, steep incline conveyors cannot proficiently use any of the same components (belts or cleaners) as troughed or shuttle conveyors unless the angle is under approximately 20 degrees.
Pocket belt conveyors instead utilize special belting known as corrugated sidewall belting.
Corrugated Sidewall Conveyor Belts
This style of conveyor belt contains material with corrugated sidewalls. Sidewalls are flexible enough to contain material and work with a variety of pulley sizes. The belting is available with a range of cover compounds for various types of handling, including standard, oil-resistant and heat-resistant.
Corrugated sidewall conveyors also employ cleats along the belt in order to contain material during vertical handling, creating pockets for material to rest in (it is for this reason that the steep incline conveyor is also frequently referred to as a pocket belt conveyor). Cleats can range in height from 1” – 6”, and can be either integrated or detachable.
Belt Cleaning Options for Steep Incline Conveyors
Steep incline conveyors are limited in their cleaning ability, due to the special type of belting they use. For this reason, dry, less-adhesive materials perform better with this style of belt conveyor.
When some type of cleaning is necessary, producers employing a steep incline conveyor can enlist the help of a belt thumper.
A belt thumper is mounted to the underside of the belt on the return side of the conveyor. This mechanism creates a high-speed rotating action that causes the belt to vibrate, loosening and removing any material that may be stuck, before it reaches the feed location.
All we do is usually affiliated with our tenet " Buyer to start with, Belief to start with, devoting about the food packaging and environmental defense for Self Aligning Idler,Conveyor Idler Manufacturer,Mining Conveyor Rollers,Conveyor Idlers Manufacturers,Conveyor Components,Conveyor Roller Supplier,Troughing Roller,Pulley for Conveyor Belts,Conveyor Cleaner,Heavy Duty Conveyor Rollers
