&#;If you are in the woodworking industry, chances are you are using wide belt sanders or planer sanders for your wood finishing needs. Wood is sent through the machine via a conveyor belt, then high-speed sanding heads or planer blades trim the wood to meet certain specifications.
Because of these high machining speeds, it is important to have a high-gripping conveyor belt for the wood to rest on so that it stays in place, avoiding a host of different safety hazards. While there is a wide range of high-gripping belt options available, there are 2 main types Sparks recommends for the woodworking industry.
1. Rubber Rough Top Conveyor Belts
Rough top conveyor belting, most common on American-manufactured machines, has a coarse pattern molded into the top cover for maximum gripping in dusty applications. The dust settles into the pockets of the pattern allowing the top of the profile to maintain good contact with the surface of the wood. The dust then drops out of the belt as it flexes over the end pulley. Rough top belting is made of a soft, spongey material that works best for larger wood panels and comes in different compounds depending on the application. Rubber compounds offer excellent gripping properties and abrasion resistance. One of the best gripping compounds is Gum rubber, a natural rubber that comes from trees. Gum rubber belts like Sparks 143 Ruff Tex would be a great option for kiln-dried wood but are not recommended for applications where sap, oil, or minerals can cause the rubber to deteriorate. Another good gripping compound is Nitrile rubber, a synthetic rubber made from petroleum. Nitrile rubber belting, like Sparks RT and 3XLN are used in applications where oily residue is present. All woodworking belts from Sparks include RFL-treated fabric for better ply adhesion and decreased edge curl.
2. Heavy Rubber Special Profiled Cover Belts
Heavy rubber special profiled cover belts are more common on European manufactured machines and are better suited for smaller wood panels. These belts will have square or diamond-shaped pockets molded into the smooth rubber top cover. Typically, holes will be drilled into the pockets of the belt and a vacuum will be placed underneath. The vacuum creates suction that helps to hold the product in place on the belt. The vacuum also collects dust to increase cleanliness. Heavy rubber conveyor belts are ideal in applications where smaller pieces of wood are being machined such as drawer panels, chair legs, and hardwood flooring, due to the more rigid cover surface.
At Sparks Belting we provide replacement belts for Cemco sanders, Timesavers sanders, and everything in between. Our technical experts have the experience to assist you in selecting the proper belt for your application. If you are in the woodworking industry, you can trust Sparks to provide you with the best belting solutions to start saving you time and money.
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Conveyor belting components are some of the most important in all the industrial, manufacturing, and processing industries. The belts are tasked with transporting products and items and require several key characteristics including durability, strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. However, when it comes to choosing your own model, the question always remains&#;which ones are the best of the best? Read on to learn what the best general-purpose conveyor belt material is for your applications.
One of the first noteworthy material contenders for ideal conveyor belt performance is rubber. This solid compound works great for general material handling purposes including assembly lines, luggage transport, and packing. Many decline and incline conveyor belts even make use of this substance because of its ability to grip items to carry them at sharp angles. However, it&#;s important to note that rubber belts can sustain significant abrasive damage when working with heavy processing materials like rock or metal.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a popular thermoplastic polymer that makes a great choice for your general-use conveyor belts. This material is particularly effective when working with food products as it has high physical resistance to oils and chemicals. It also holds up well in heated or moist environments and has high amounts of tensile strength to help prevent breakage.
Urethane is useful because of its flexibility and sanitary properties. This polymer has a superior elastic memory, allowing it to continually stretch and return to form despite the stressors of the working environment. It also requires less cleaning to maintain, which is useful if it&#;s used in a sanitary environment where food is handled. All these characteristics give urethane belts the longest overall lifespans of any conveyor material.
So, ultimately, the best general-purpose conveyor belt material for you will depend on your circumstances. These components are at the focal point of a multitude of different industries, from food processing to metal handling. As such, all materials will have their own set of benefits and drawbacks based on the environment you expose them to. Taking your industry into account will be essential to picking between these resources and making an informed decision.
For more information about these materials, or others, reach out to Texas Belting and Supply. We carry conveyor belts from a variety of reputable vendors and cater to a diverse range of industries. As such, we&#;re confident that we can help you find the best all-around conveyor belt to meet your specific requirements.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website High strength rubber conveyor belt.