With the current upheaval and uncertainties in food processing and production, the two main focuses are safety and efficiency. To achieve the two goals, designers and manufacturers are turning to plastic modular conveyor belts. The beltings are designed with individual plastic modules, firmly linked together so that they run on rails to move materials under consideration. Like most synthetic modular materials, the plastic conveyor belt comes with unique attributes, especially lightweight construction. This post digs deeper into plastic modular conveyor belts to help you answer the main question, “Should you adopt them in your facility?”

Comparing ThermoDrive Belting to Plastic Modular Belting

ThermoDrive Belting Plastic Modular Belting

If you are new in manufacturing or unsure of the type of conveyor belts to use for material handling, it will be a good idea to compare the main categories before making the big decision. In most cases, it can be tempting to go for the standard ThermoDrive belting. However, standardization is not always the best thing. Indeed, it can at times be very expensive.

Although a ThermoDrive belt might still work, it will not be a good idea for applications where food gets into contact with the belt. The best solution in such a case is the plastic modular belting. Again, the belt is pretty easy to clean, an important attribute in the food processing facility.

Special Benefits of Using Plastic Modular Conveyor Belts

One notable advantage of modular plastic belting is that it easily stays on track. The main reason for this is that the belts are designed with positive drives. Unlike the standard friction drives used by other belts, the plastic modular type relies on a low-tension drive system for better tracking. Therefore, you will find them very effective for operating even in tight curves more smoothly where other types of belts cannot. Other benefits of using these types of belts include:

• Designed to perfectly go round the bends.
• Repairing or replacing plastic modular belting is easy.
• You can easily clean them with water.
• Can be used to transport a wide variety of food products.
• Can work well even when moving raw food.
• Flights with plastic modular belting can be fitted with side guards for greater efficiency.
• Even wet products can safely be moved using plastic modular belting.

While the benefits of the plastic modular belting are many and indeed desirable, we must indicate that it comes with one con: operating at high speed can be a challenge. Most of them tend to be noisy and extremely high temperatures can damage the plastic. It will be a good idea to consider the belting only for low-medium speed and low-medium temperature operations. Therefore, make sure to work with a technician to determine the right motor speed, possible need for speed reducers and shaft requirements for the belting.

The design of plastic modular belting is to provide people with a reliable and safer alternative for moving sensitive materials, especially food. However, you will also love them because they are easy to maintain and can be pretty durable when used well. Consider using programmable logic controllers and automation to make your plastic modular belting and, indeed, the entire plant more efficient.