Conveyor Belt Spotlight: Cleated Belts

Almost every industry needs to move product up or down in its journey from you to the customer. What’s important is that your product stays in place and isn’t damaged as it travels down your conveyor.

The Problem

Cleated and chevron belts allow you to convey products both large and small at an incline, but the question is, how do you know when and what type of cleated belt you might need?

The Solution

To find out, we need to consider a few factors.

  • What type of product are you conveying? The belts we offer to a client conveying breakfast cereal will be very different from those conveying gravel. Your product’s size, shape, and weight will determine the cleats’ size and how far apart they are spaced. Cleats can have applications in many industries such as agriculture, food handling, mining and excavation, warehousing, and recycling.
  • We will also consider the angle at which you’re conveying. Depending on your product, choosing a compound with a lot of grip for a low incline belt may be just as effective as using cleats.
  • These considerations will help us design cleats with the best performance characteristics for your application. At a glance, we offer rubber, nitrile, and butyl cleats. They can be configured horizontally or longitudinally for a one-of-a-kind solution. MIPR can also adjust the shape of the cleat to match its purpose. For example, suppose you convey a product with fragile plastic packaging that could be easily punctured or torn. In that case, we can customize your cleated conveyor belt to have rounded edges for the safe transfer of product.

The Secret Sauce

When deciding whether or not a cleated belt is right for you, we want to make sure to get as much information about your operation as possible. Due to added bending, cleated belts don’t last as long as flat belts. That’s why MIPR sends each client a data-sheet reviewing information about their product and conveying needs before deciding on cleats. We want you to get the most value out of your conveyor belt system.

MIPR’s Team

We encourage you to challenge us–with 30 years of experience in this ever-changing field, the team at MIPR is prepared to generate innovative and unique designs to help keep you and your product moving, no matter the slope.

To learn more about cleated and chevron belts, visit miprcorp.com. Contact us with a request for our data sheet at 1-800-540-1846.

 

Nine Recycle and Waste Handling Conveyor Belts

From empty egg cartons, to thick glass bottles to wispy plastic bags, the recycling and waste management industries see it all come through their doors.

The Problem with Recycling & Waste Handling Conveyor Belts

Unlike in other industries, there isn’t just one product moving through the conveyor systems when it comes to recycling and waste. A high volume of diverse materials travel down the belts, meaning versatility, durability and cost efficiency are a must. Without the right equipment to move these massive amounts of material, the whole system can easily get bottlenecked.

Solutions for Recycling Conveyor Belts

Recycling and waste handling are obviously different from other conveying operations, but to determine the type of belt that will work best we should always start with the same basic questions.

No matter how long the laundry list is, we want to know what it is you are trying to convey. The different materials will determine which belt will last the longest in your operation. For example, if you know powdered glass from broken bottles is part of your load, we’ll want to pick an abrasion-resistant belt compound like polyurethane. For an operation that focuses on mixed plastics, you might consider a PVC belt as an economical choice.

Of course we’ll need to know if you are conveying at angle so that we can suggest and design a cleated belt with patterns that are targeted to transport specific materials. Cleated conveyor belts help recycling plants keep materials in tow and operations humming as scheduled, ensuring a far greater amount of recyclable material gets to its intended destination without issue.

With a large volume of inconsistently sized materials that may have different weights, shapes and effects, MIPR is committed to finding your recycling and waste management operation a belt that is specifically adapted for you.

The Secret Sauce

Belts in this industry are hit with huge loads, abrasive materials and constant use so it’s no surprise when a client comes to us in need of a replacement. We also know that when a belt no longer fulfills its original purpose, that doesn’t always mean its useful life is over.

When customers reach out to MIPR to replace an existing belt we always ask what they plan to do with the belt they will be discarding. Often, we pay to have that belt shipped back to us because many can go on to have long and useful lives in other applications. The secondary market for conveyor belting is a big part of our commitment to sustainability.

MIPR’s Expert Conveyor Belt Team

Whether you are looking for a new belt to improve the efficiency of your operation or want to replace a belt that has come to the end of its time with you, MIPR’s trusted engineers are prepared to meet your needs. We send samples to ensure our belts will work for your specific operation and can even ship the same day!

To discover a custom conveying solution that meets the diverse requirements of your recycling and waste management operation, give us a call at 1-800-540-1846.

 

8 Types of Package Handling Conveyor Belts

Eighty-seven billion parcels shipped worldwide in 2018. With e-commerce booming more now than ever before, the packaging and shipping industries are in a massive growth period.

The Problem

To keep up with demands, your package handling business will need a variety of conveyor belts.

The Solution

  • MIPR has the knowledge and experience to suggest a combination of belt solutions that will allow your business to meet demands.Often, businesses in this industry need more than one type of conveyor to complete their operation. Let’s discuss some examples that might apply to package handling.
  • Cleated belts range in size and shape, not only carrying your packages up or down an incline but also separating them as needed throughout the conveyor.
  • Just as cleated belts make sure packages won’t budge as they move down the line, there may be instances where you need a highly slippery surface that allows them to slide. Choosing a flat belt with a low coefficient of friction could be critical in making sure your parcels don’t get stuck.
  • Accumulation conveyors can remove the drive at will in specific segments, allowing packages to stop or collect at merges, palletizers, or sortation.

The Secret to Package Handling

Automation is at the forefront of the growing logistics and warehousing industry, with machinery playing a pivotal role in achieving tight delivery deadlines. The equipment moving these packages is a critical investment. MIPR is here to ensure you get suitable conveyor belts to avoid crucial delays and create an ultra-efficient system.

Our team of trusted engineers would be happy to send you samples of the many different products applicable in package handling. Call us at 1-800-540-1846 to find the right combination of conveyor belts to complete your operation.

 

Seven Innovative Conveyer Belt Solutions

MIPR believes that your conveyor belt system should be just as unique as your company.

The Problem

You have a different product, team, and process that you are committed to.
You don’t want to settle for a boilerplate solution that compromises your
individuality.

The Solution

That’s why even though MIPR stocks hundreds of flat belts, we are always happy to create a custom belting solution just for you. We’ve had many clients come to us with specific challenges and walk away with a successful, innovative result. Here are some examples.

One of our clients in the automotive industry had an existing belt from another supplier running at an angle. The expensive custom auto parts were traveling down the incline and sliding, bumping into each other and bringing their process to a halt. Even worse, with a big order on hold, they only had one day to fix it. Our engineers quickly diagnosed the problem and, within 24 hours, designed and delivered a rough top, snakeskin belt that was easily installed into their existing frame. Watch how the high coefficient of friction keeps the auto parts in place as they travel down the conveyor.

For our client in the lumber industry, the problem was anything but delicate. In using a thin three-ply belt to convey whole trees, this sawmill was experiencing rapid wear. The worn belts were catching and bringing production to a standstill. When MIPR found out that the client’s output had increased from 3,000 to 7,000 logs a day, we weren’t surprised this problem had occurred. But they needed a solution that was cost-efficient and fast. We installed a heavy-duty belt with twice the thickness of their previous belt. This brought their belt’s lifetime from 6 months to two years—what a difference. We are always excited to hear about our clients’ businesses growing and are prepared to implement solutions that keep their progress on track.

There is nothing worse than when the product you worked hard to develop and produce is damaged in its journey through the conveyor system. Our next client is a coffee-product manufacturer that everyone
is familiar with and that you’ve probably seen in your office or home. Retailers across the country were relying on their vast operations to run efficiently. Still, the problem was that their products were punctured by the sharp edges of the cleats that carried them through the conveyor. When MIPR got involved, we evaluated the steep incline and rounded the cleats’ edges to protect their fragile product
specifically. Since then, they have had no problems with product damage and continue to order belts from MIPR.

The Secret Sauce

At MIPR, we treat each client with care and individual attention. Your success
is our success too. That’s why our belting solutions are so varied and innovative.

The Team

Our team wants to dedicate their 30 years of experience to solve your challenges—you deserve a unique solution. If you can’t seem to find a conveyor belt on the market that fits your specific needs, or if you have a problem with your current belt, call us at 1-800-540-1846.

Sanitary Conveyor Belts for Food Handling

Did you know you can cook pancakes on a conveyer belt? From beautifully browned pancakes to fresh-frozen veggies or meat packing, conveyor belts have countless food industry applications. But with food comes many restrictions and considerations. We know that quality, hygiene, and durability are of the utmost importance for our clients in the food industry.

MIPR is excited to offer you solutions designed to be antimicrobial, robust, and easy-to-clean.

Food factories across the world are now looking to monolithic plastic for their belting systems. The belts are trimmed by a 3000 PSI high-pressure spraying machine that will separate the belt at its edges. This clean-cut, single piece of material prevents microorganisms from penetrating the side of the belt. There are no cracks, borders, or layers to separate. Not only is our FDA-approved Blue Monolithic plastic exceptionally sanitary, but it’s also easy to clean and doesn’t wear out as fast.

Though we love this new technology that’s hitting the food industry, we have many other options available for diverse needs. Our food-grade wire mesh conveyors are stainless steel that can withstand high and low temperatures, perfect for baking or freezing. The open structure of these belts allows for air circulation to help cool your products as they move through the conveyor and are less likely to stick to your products.

If you’re conveying bulk food items such as flour or rice, a trough belt that keeps the product in the center of the conveyor may be a good choice for your operation. These are just some of the standard food conveyors used in the industry, focusing on the critical factor of cleanability. We have many more FDA and USDA-approved belting solutions.

MIPR Corp will solve your food-grade conveyor belting challenges across baking and food processing applications. We offer unique solutions for dough handling, belts that are grease and oil resistant, and non-stick cut-and-gouge resistant FDA/USDA belts.

We have the manufacturing expertise to accommodate applications–you’ll benefit from our 33 years of hands-on, rubber, and composite-based knowledge.

Contact MIPR at 1-800-540-1846 to discuss your food-grade belting needs or visit our website at miprcorp.com to learn more about the belting compounds and components we offer our clients in the food industry.

 

Conveyor Belts For Temperature Handling

Even within one operation, products may move from extremely high to extremely low temperatures. Technology in the conveyor belt industry has come a long way in meeting these varied applications’ needs. If your operation involves extreme high or low temperatures, you know the belting compounds that offer resistance to these conditions are expensive technology.

That’s why, when you choose MIPR for your conveyor belt solution, we work with you to find the exact minimum and maximum temperatures and offer you a complete belting system that combines materials to make the most of your dollar.

Before discussing the options for an extreme temperature conveyor belt, we need to evaluate a few things about your operation. First, we’ll want to know:

  • The exact minimum and maximum operating temperatures your product goes through at each stage. It’s essential to be precise with this information to suggest the compound that will perform the best, last the longest, and be the most cost-effective.
  • We also need to know the weight of the product you are conveying. A Teflon glass belt can withstand high heat, but it can’t take heavy loads the way a stainless steel wire mesh belt can. Now let’s discuss the properties of each compound we could use to handle extreme temperatures.

Teflon Glass Belting offers a superior non-stick surface and is perfect for food handling operations. Its operating temperature range is from -100°F to +550°F. It can also be used for screen print dryers, rubber profile extrusion, and garment fusing.

Open Mesh Teflon Belting has a similar temperature range of -100°F to +550°F. It’s powerful and has a 70% open area that makes it particularly suited for drying applications.

Silicone Glass Belting is both wear and chemical resistant and has a temperature range of -100°F to +500°F. It’s excellent for food handling and quick freeze applications.

There are multiple different types of Kevlar belting available for high-temperature operations that range in their applications. Conveyor belts made with Kevlar can withstand up to +950°F. These belts are designed for glass, aluminum, plastics, automotive, wood laminating, and light metal casting. Kevlar is often paired with PBO, otherwise known as Zylon, to withstand temperatures of up to +1200°F.

We haven’t forgotten about low-temperature operations. Plastic modular belting is an excellent choice for freezing and packing. These belts are ideal in their ability to take inclines and turn corners, combining flexibility with durability. Anything requiring extreme cold resistance will need a stainless-steel wire mesh belt. Multiple options are ranging in applications, from food processing to heavy industrial uses. 

Find more information about these compounds and their qualities on our website at miprcorp.com.

With so many options, we want to design a conveyor belt system that is unique to your needs and maximizes your investment. By getting to know you and your operation, we will suggest suitable compounds for each section of the conveyor. Our knowledgeable staff will help you evaluate where high-tech compounds like Kevlar and PBO are necessary and where cost-effective solutions like Nomex or Polyester can be used.

Give us a call at 1-800-540-1846 to discuss your high-temperature handling needs with our team of experienced engineers.

 

Conveyor Belts for Extreme Conditions

Whether your company surface mines or digs down deep, we know you need conveyor belting that works as hard as your crew.

Suppose you’re in an industry with extreme conditions. In that case, you can’t just get an ordinary belt—you need something heavy-duty, capable of handling various materials, and withstanding substantial wear and tear.

Let’s start by defining what we mean when we talk about extreme conditions. Extreme conditions can mean:

  • excessive heat
  • UV exposure
  • cold
  • heavy industrial environments

MIPR Corp carries various belts for the mining, construction, and recycling industries’ diverse material-handling needs. MIPR offers a range of high-temperature needs, such as Silicone, Metal Mesh, Teflon, and Kevlar. We use Viton®, and Nomex® plys under Insulglass covers to handle extreme materials like molten glass. 

The other side of the temperature spectrum is just as important to consider. Even short-lived freezing conditions can have a devastating effect on rubber conveyor belts, making stainless steel a worthwhile consideration. Our experts can help you choose between our options based on your minimum operating temperature.

MIPR can adjust our offerings based on the level of oil-resistance you may need. From medium oil resistance for woodchips and whole grains to super oil resistance for petroleum, kerosene, and diesel.

Some industries also experience high impact and deterioration from heavy, abrasive loads. MIPR’s Single-ply Straight-Warp Heavy Duty belting resists longitudinal tears and gouging from serious impacts. It also provides exceptional durability and bolt-holding capabilities.

Abrasion can also occur depending on belt speed and load size. The rate of speed, the weight of the product, and the temperature will help us determine which compound will suit your operation.

The last crucial element of extreme conditions is the coefficient of friction. You may need a belt that is either slippery or sticky. We send our clients high-tech friction belting samples to help them decide which product will work best for them. There are stainless steel, rubber, Teflon, Kevlar, and modular plastic belts for extreme conditions. They all have their place.

The team at MIPR enjoys solving problems. Our technical resources and application expertise allow us to select or customize the perfect conveyor belt for your operation.

Explore our Heavy Industrial Conveyor belts at miprcorp.com or call us at 1-800-540-1846 to discuss the extreme conditions you need.

 

How To Track a Conveyor Belt

If you rely on conveyor belts to keep your business moving, you want that belting to last as long as possible.

We at MIPR want you to have the proper knowledge and tools to maintain and repair your belting systems and maximize your investment value.

One of the most significant ways to ensure your belt’s best performance is by regularly tracking it. Think of it like aligning the wheels on your car. Frequent tracking will reduce unnecessary and uneven wear and breakdowns. 

We’re here to support you in your belt care and are offering this essential guide to tracking:

  • Before anything else, you’ll want to clean and inspect your belt. Check for the buildup of debris, grime, or bits of worn-down parts. With the belt removed, go in for a thorough cleaning, checking the pulleys, bearings, and rollers as you go, and replacing any worn parts.
  • Now that your conveyor belt is clean, it’s time to install it. Start by making sure your conveyor is level with the floor and square to itself with no sagging ends. Your pulley should be split between itself. This should be the same at the drive end of the belt
  • Next we need to achieve proper tension so that your belt doesn’t slide from side to side. Line the belt up in the center of the pulley and begin tightening the tension screws on either side. Use a three eighths ratchet with a 12 point socket to tighten both sides evenly and then check the belt for tension. Use a tape measure to continue tightening evenly and checking your belt until it’s firmly secured on the center of the pulley. When the belt is properly tightened, you should still be able to fit your fist between the belt and the bed in the center of the conveyor.
  • Operate your belt under tension for several complete revolutions before making any adjustments. If the belt is tracking unevenly, adjust the screw on the side that the belt is tending towards. Remember to make changes in small increments and allow the belt to revolve again before continuing. Check the drive end and adjust the snubber rollers as needed by loosening the bolts and pulling the rollers either towards or away from you before retightening. Your belt may not track perfectly, but take your time to ensure that it isn’t running off the edge of the pulley on either side. Minor adjustments result in significant changes. Take it slow and be careful not to adjust too much at one time. Longer conveyors may require additional snub rollers to be adjusted. Always start with the snub rollers closest to the ends of the conveyor and work towards the center.

    Track your belts regularly, and you can be sure to keep them running strong as long as possible.

    If you have a conveyor belt that just can’t seem to stay in alignment, talk to the belting experts at MIPR. We can quickly identify whether the problem originates in the frame, if the belt is the right one for your application, or if it hasn’t been properly installed or tracked.

    For more details on maintaining your conveyor system, call our experts at 1-800-540-1846. Or, if improper tracking has worn out your existing belting, reach out to us for a fast, affordable replacement. We even ship same-day!

     

    Choosing the Right Conveyor Belt

    You need a conveyor belt that is cost-effective, long-lasting, innovative, and of course, that gets the job done. The question is, what kind of belt can accomplish all these things for your particular application? To answer this, we first turn the questions to you.

    Choosing the right belt for your conveyor system can be determined by three factors: Purpose, Temperature, and Strength.

    MIPR starts by asking what kind of product are you conveying?

    Your product’s properties will significantly impact selecting the belt that makes the best use of your time and money. If you’re conveying bacon, which is deliciously fatty but corrodes rubber over time, we will select a different belt than conveying lumber which might have high impact or friction.

    What compound should we select to make the conveyor belt successful for your particular use?

    • To decide on a material, we have to consider the operating temperature, the need for incline, the size of your head and tail pulley, and any other resistance factors related to your product.
    • Let’s go back to our examples in the first question. To account for the fattiness of bacon, we need a highly oil-resistant material. We might choose Nitrile for this belt. In a conveying wood system, we may consider an SBR belt for its excellent wear protection.
    • Similarly, a factory that freezes vegetables will have different needs than a bakery operation. A Cam-Grid metal mesh belt, for example, offers protection against both high and low temperatures.
    • We will also think about whether your product is traveling up or down at an incline. In these situations, we may suggest a cleated or chevron belt to keep your products in place as they travel through the system.
    • Knowing your head and tail pulley’s size will determine the maximum and minimum thickness of the belt needed.

    There are many complex factors to consider when choosing your belting system. We’re here to make sure you get the optimum belt for your operation. MIPR offers hundreds of belts to choose from, ranging in size, weight, material, and style. Explore our many belt offerings at miprcorp.com

    Our experienced team of proven engineering professionals will evaluate your needs and get back to you within a day with a design, quote, and samples. If you’re still unsure what type of belt you need, call us at 1-800-540-1846 to get our expert opinions.

     

    5 Simple Steps to Keep Your Conveyor Belt Running Smoothly

    5 Simple Steps to Keep Your Conveyor Belt Running Smoothly - Blog Cover Photo

    Is your conveyor belt slipping? Do you see uneven wear and tear or parts failures on your conveyor system? Are frequent (and inconvenient) work slowdowns and stoppages costing you time and money, or putting your employee safety at risk?

    At MIPR Corp., many of our customers first come to us for belt service or replacement. We have built a nationwide reputation on our ability to expertly diagnose problems over the phone and ship effective solution same-day. Yet our engineers know that the fastest, most cost-effective fix for conveyor belt problems is prevention. Conveyor preventative maintenance can make all the difference!

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