While flat belt conveyors use a single, continuous loop of material, modular conveyor belt systems use a single loop made of countless interlocked pieces, usually made of hard plastic. These segments can be removed and replaced individually, in contrast to having to discard the entire belt. They’re also easier to wash, as well as more resistant to sharp and abrasive materials. This makes modular belt conveyors simpler to maintain and repair than their flat belt counterparts.

  Modular belt conveyors are well-suited to applications that involve travelling around corners. In fact, they can travel straight, go around a corner, and incline and decline using a single belt and the same motor all throughout. Technically, other types of conveyors can also accomplish this feat, but only with much customization and additional costs. Plastic modular belts also allow specific conveyor designs without compromising belt tracking. An example of this is a belt with greater width than length, which provides the support required to handle soft plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and shrink wrapped goods.

APPLICATIONS: This type of conveyor belt can be used to carry food products because it is easy to clean. Spacing between plastic segments are adjustable for applications where fluid should be either drained or retained as it is carried on the conveyor. The segments’ plastic composition also makes this conveyor belt useful for metal detection.