Conveyor Belts & Modular Belts FAQ: Answers on Selection, Materials and Applications
Conveyor belts and modular belts are essential components in modern conveyor systems. They enable the reliable transport of goods, packages, or food products across a wide range of applications in conveyor technology and mechanical engineering.
Selecting the right modular belt depends on several factors – including belt pitch, material, surface structure, as well as load requirements, temperature, and the operating environment.
In this FAQ section, we answer frequently asked questions about modular belts and conveyor belts – from choosing the right belt to understanding technical properties and typical applications in industrial conveying systems.
The following questions will help you select the right conveyor belt for your application.
Find the right modular belt quickly and efficiently with our configurator.
Basics of Modular Belts
A modular belt is a conveyor belt made of individual plastic modules that are connected via hinge joints. This modular design allows flexible adjustment of belt width and length, and individual modules can be replaced when needed. Modular belts are widely used in conveyor systems, packaging industries, and food processing.
The term conveyor belt generally describes systems used for transporting goods. A modular belt is a specific type of conveyor belt made from interconnected plastic modules. Compared to traditional belt conveyors, modular belts offer high stability, as well as easy maintenance and cleaning.
Modular belts are used in many areas of conveyor technology. Typical applications include packaging systems, food production, internal logistics, and mechanical engineering. Their modular design makes them particularly suitable for robust and long-lasting conveying solutions.
The pitch of a modular belt describes the distance between two connection points of the individual belt modules and is a key parameter in conveyor system design.
MOVET modular belts are available in various pitches, including 6 mm, 12.5 mm, 25 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm. The appropriate pitch depends on the conveyed product, belt width, load requirements, and system design.
Smaller pitches allow tighter transfer radii and are ideal for smaller products or compact systems. Larger pitches generally provide higher mechanical strength and are used for heavier loads or larger conveyed goods.
Selecting the Right Modular Belt
Selecting the right modular belt depends on several technical factors, including the conveyed product, environmental conditions, and specific belt requirements.
Key selection criteria:
- Conveyed goods: size, weight, bulk or packaged products
- Environment: temperature, cleaning processes, chemicals, UV exposure
- Belt properties: material, surface, flights, dimensions, anti-static properties, certifications
For detailed configuration of all parameters, use our MOVET modular belt configurator .
Modular belts are typically made from engineering plastics such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), or Polyoxymethylene (POM). These materials offer high wear resistance, good mechanical strength, and are often suitable for food-grade applications.
Technology and Design
Modular belts are driven by specially designed sprockets that engage positively with the belt structure. This ensures reliable power transmission and stable belt tracking.
Wear strips serve as guiding and support elements for modular belts. They reduce friction and wear, ensuring smooth and stable conveyor operation.
MOVET offers different solutions depending on the application:
- MOVET Superfinish wear strips: extremely smooth surface to minimize friction and wear – ideal for high-speed applications or sensitive products.
- MOVET FIX wear strips: self-adhesive solution for quick and easy installation – especially suitable for retrofitting or flexible system designs.
Operation and Maintenance
Cleaning modular belts involves several steps and should be adapted to the material, application, and level of contamination.
- Pre-cleaning: remove coarse debris dry
- Rinsing: clean the conveyor and system with water (approx. 10–20 bar)
- Cleaning agent: apply and allow up to 20 minutes contact time
- Final rinse: rinse thoroughly with warm water (approx. 50 °C)
- Inspection: ensure all residues are removed
Ideally, the belt should run slowly during and after cleaning to ensure all areas are reached evenly and proper drying is achieved.
Further cleaning guidelines can be found in our blog.
The selection of suitable cleaning agents depends on the belt material and application.
- Suitable: mild alkaline cleaners, water, alcohol (spot cleaning)
- Disinfection: e.g. peracetic acid or quaternary ammonium compounds
- Limited use: chlorine in low concentrations (material-dependent)
- Not recommended: aggressive chemicals or excessive concentrations
Important: Excessive concentration of cleaning agents can lead to increased wear or material damage.
The service life of a modular belt depends on several factors, including load, speed, environmental conditions, and maintenance. When used correctly, modular belts can operate reliably for many years.
A key advantage of modular belts is their modular design: individual damaged modules can be replaced quickly and efficiently without replacing the entire belt. This significantly reduces downtime and maintenance costs.
For extended service life, regular cleaning of sprockets and the belt is recommended, as contamination can negatively affect engagement and belt tracking.
Further Information on Conveyor Belts
Standard Materials
All standard materials comply with FDA standards and are approved for direct food contact in accordance with EC Regulation No. 1935/2004.
| Material | Temperature Range | Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| POM (Polyacetal) | -43 °C to +95 °C | High strength, low friction, stable belt operation | Conveyor systems, packaging lines, logistics |
| PP (Polypropylene) | +5 °C to +100 °C | High chemical resistance, temperature stable | Washing systems, food processing |
| PE (Polyethylene) | -73 °C to +66 °C | Very impact-resistant, ideal for low-temperature environments | Cold storage, frozen food conveyor systems |
Special Materials for Specific Requirements
In addition to standard materials, modular belts are also available in specialized materials and additives designed for specific requirements such as anti-static properties, wear resistance, or detectability.
| Material | Special Feature | Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| POM CR (Cut Resistant) |
Enhanced cut resistance | Very high wear resistance, improved impact strength, high stability with low friction coefficient | Cutting processes, food processing, applications with mechanical stress |
| Anti-static materials | Electrically conductive | Prevents electrostatic charge buildup, protects sensitive products and equipment | Electronics industry, packaging, hazardous areas |
| Metal detectable material | Detectable in product flow | Special additives allow belt fragments to be detected by metal detectors | Food industry, quality control, sensitive production processes |
| Friction material | Increased grip | High friction coefficient, suitable for inclined conveying, but with reduced belt strength | Inclined conveyors, transport on slopes, slip-critical applications |
| Silicone / PTFE additives | Non-stick properties | Reduces product adhesion, prevents sticking or freezing | Food processing, sticky products, frozen applications |
| Flame-retardant PP | Increased fire safety | Flame-resistant, good chemical resistance, temperature stable | Applications with fire risk, industrial special applications, microwave-compatible |
Advice & Contact
Do you have any questions about conveyor belts or would you like to learn more about selecting the right modular belt for your application? Our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
Phone: +49 (0) 7181 - 980 32 00
You can also use our contact form for an individual enquiry.