In belt conveyor systems, the crown is an integral part of the belt that is key to system optimization and efficiency. Here we will discuss what the crown is and its role in maximizing conveyor efficiency.
What is the Crown?
The crown is a small curvature built in to the underside of the conveyor belt, typically just a few millimeters high. Its purpose is to enable the conveyor to more efficiently handle short-radius curves and to promote better belt-to-roll contact and tracking. The crown is achieved by combining the belt skive technique with the heat shrink method. With the skive technique, sections of the belt’s undersurface are shaved off, and with the heat-shrink method, a cloth or metal belt is unrolled and then allowed to shrink slightly, thus creating the curved shape.
How Does it Maximize Efficiency?
The crown on belt conveyors makes the conveyor perform much more efficiently in several ways:
- Lower maintenance costs: The improved grip on the rollers reduces the tendency of the belt to wander, thus minimizing the maintenance needed for the belt.
- Reduced energy: The effect of the crown is that it significantly reduces the power consumption of the conveyor, resulting in more efficient operation overall.
- Tighter curves: The improved grip on the rollers allows for tighter turns and curves, enabling greater system flexibility and faster product delivery times.
- Fewer slippages: With the improved grip on the rollers, the belt conveyor is less likely to slip, which further enhances the efficiency of the system.
In conclusion, the crown is an integral part of belt conveyor systems, and its presence is key to maximizing the system’s efficiency. With the crown, conveyor systems are able to handle tighter turns and curves, as well as handle a higher loading capacity while consuming less energy. In addition, the crown reduces the need for frequent maintenance, further adding to the efficiency of the system.
