Contractor Tips Blog

Apr
19

Choosing the Right Conveyor Belt for Your Business

Conveyor belts are the workhorses of the manufacturing and shipping industries. Whether you own a small candy business or a large manufacturing operation, conveyors belts reduce labor and save on overhead costs for making your product. But not all conveyors are the same. Depending on what you need moved, you can choose a specialized belt to complete the job. Here are some of the most common types of commercial conveyor belts.

  • Heavy duty. If you are moving heavy or sharp objects, you need a belt that can withstand the weight and be cut-resistant. Heavy duty belts are used for moving glass, rocks and other materials that can easy tear or cut basic conveyor belts.
  • For objects that will be moved up an incline or can easily slip off a flat belt, cleated conveyor belts are used. Flat or round items can be kept on the belt with the use of cleats of various sizes, depending on your needs.
  • A vacuum conveyor belt uses suction to hold the items on the belt as they are transported. This is used in printing operations, but can be used to hold any flat item in place on the belt for gluing or other purposes.
  • When processing food items on a production line, you need to have special care for the cleanliness of your conveyor belt. Food-grade materials can be used for these conveyors, ensuring they meet FDA requirements for food sanitation.

When it comes to choosing the right conveyor belt type and material, you have many choices. To determine the best fit for your needs, talk to a conveyor belt service that offers all types and customized options for your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Dec
30

Benefits of Using a Vacuum Conveyor Belt

There are many different types of conveyor belts available with a wide variety of capabilities. Choosing the right one for your needs can be daunting, especially if you manufacture or ship a variety of different items. So which one is right for your needs? For many applications, a vacuum conveyor belt can offer a secure surface that will easily transport your items where they need to go through your production floor or warehouse. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a vacuum conveyor belt for your business.

  • Do you ship or manufacture flat items that need to be swiftly moved through your production floor? Vacuum conveyor belts are perfect for flat items that often slip off conventional belts.
  • Businesses that need to move oddly shaped or various sized items can benefit from using a conveyor belt with a vacuum function. This helps hold even small or round items in place as they are moved from one area to another.
  • Items that need to be held in a specific position for gluing or cutting on a production floor will be secure with the suction from a vacuum belt keeping them in place.
  • Steep inclines for transporting items from one area of your warehouse to another can benefit for the stability that a vacuum conveyor belt can provide.

Not all conveyor belts offer the same functions or capabilities. Nor do all conveyor belt companies offer the same products and services. Before settling for a generic conveyor belt that may not meet your production needs, talk to your local conveyor belt experts that offer vacuum conveyor belts as one of their options.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Sep
9

What Conveyor Belt Type is Right for Your Business?

Conveyor belts are as specialized as the products they move. If you own or manage a manufacturing or shipping operation, conveyor belts are a necessary component of your business. However, if you are just beginning your manufacturing enterprise, you may still be researching which conveyor belt will be right for your business. Depending on your product, there are a few basic types of belts that will meet your needs. Consider these common conveyor belt types:

  • Vacuum. If the product you are moving needs to be held in place for gluing or other reasons, a vacuum conveyor belt may be what you need. These are also used for flat, cardboard and printing operations.
  • Cleated. When products need to be moved up an include or are flat, needing a firm grip, cleated belts are often used. These can use metal or rubber cleats, depending on the product.
  • Rough top. For solid or smooth products, rough top conveyor belts can add improved grip to keep items moving and reduce slipping issues.
  • Food grade. Food manufacturing operations need specialized conveyor belts that are designed to be sanitary for food handling. These belts may need a special coating to prevent sticking and allow easy cleaning. They also may need temperature controls for hot or cold foods.

When deciding which conveyor belt to use for your business, it is advisable to find a reputable company that specializes in the installation and service of custom conveyor belts. You will want the expertise of a conveyor belt industry leader to determine the best belt to meet your manufacturing or shipping application. With a customized conveyor, you can have the perfect belt created using one or more of the types above to meet your productivity needs.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Oct
26

Adding Conveyor Belts to Your Retail Food Business

So you started a small business making candies or homemade-style cookies for sale. It was always your dream to share your specialty food items with the public. The good news is that your product is a hit! You have more orders than you can fill and now you need to expand your operation. One thing you may need as part of your manufacturing operation is a conveyor belt. However, there are considerations when buying a conveyor for a food manufacturing operation.

Food Grade Standards

If you food items will be riding on a conveyor belt to be packaged, you will need to take special precautions when purchasing your new belt. Conveyor belts for food must meet health regulations, plus there are some other considerations as well. When choosing your new conveyor belt, keep these factors in mind.

  • Heat and cold. If your food will be either hot or cold, your belt will need to be specialized for those conditions. Food grade belts can be customized to ensure they don’t crack or melt from extreme temperatures.
  • Staining. Food that is brightly colored or has residual liquid can stain your belts. You may need a specialized coating to protect your belt such as silicone.
  • Non-stick. For food items that have a sticky exterior, you will want food grade belts that are coated for a non-stick surface. Teflon is a popular coating for food grade conveyor belts.
  • USDA approval. Any belt you choose for a retail food operation must meet USDA standard for health.

To ensure you get the right conveyor belt for your expanding retail food business, consult with a conveyor belt company that specializes in food grade conveyor belts. They can provide you with the right belts to meet your business’ needs.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Jul
25

Does Your Company Need a Customized Conveyor Belt?

Most manufacturing companies are in the need of a conveyor belt or many different belts, depending on the size of the operation. If you own a manufacturing, packaging or shipping company, you probably need to conveyor belts to keep your productivity at the highest level. However, a standard conveyor belt does not always offer the best performance for specialty products. Often, a customized conveyor belt is needed for the highest level of productivity. 

Types of Conveyor Belts

Depending on the type of products you need moved within your warehouse, you may need different types of conveyors. Flat items like cardboard will need a different type of belt than those that move around easily like plastic bottles. Some of the common types of conveyor belts that can used for various applications include: 

  • Vacuum belts. For flat items like cardboard boxes or items that need to be held securely to the belt, a vacuum belt is often used.
  • Cleated belts. Flat items or items that move easily like bulk product usually require a cleated belt. These are also needed for belts that run on an incline.
  • Rough top belts. For packaged materials, rough top belts can grip the products and move them safely, even up an incline. 

If you have items that are unique in size, shape and weight, there may not be standard conveyor belts that are ideal for your needs. An experienced conveyor installation company may be needed to custom design a belt that will combine different features of the various belts available.  This can include the belt surface, size and speed that is required for your business. Talk to your local conveyor belt service company to learn more about designing a customized conveyor belt for your company.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Apr
8

Choosing a Reliable Conveyor Belt Service Company

If you own or manage a manufacturing or shipping business that uses conveyor belts, you need a reliable service company. You depend on your conveyors to meet your productivity goals; a malfunctioning belt means not meeting quotas and losing money every hour it is down. It is worth the investment to have a service company that will be there to get you up and running fast the next time you have a conveyor belt problem.

Finding the Right Conveyor Belt Service Company

There are many companies that sell or repair conveyor belts; unfortunately, not all do both. While the company you bought your belt from originally may have installed it, they may not be available to fix it when it breaks down. What you need is a company that does both.

When choosing a conveyor belt service company, look for a business that will meet all your conveyor belt needs. This includes:

  • New conveyor belt sales and installation
  • Wide variety of belt types and parts
  • Troubleshooting and service options
  • Excellent customer service

Having one company that meets all these needs can save you both time and money. Whether you need a new belt or just need service and parts for an existing belt, you know who to call. Every minute of downtime is costing your business money, so having a company that can get your operations back online quickly should be the top priority.

Don’t wait until the next problem arises to find the right conveyor belt service company. Find a company that will be able to meet all your needs now, so when the time comes, you know exactly who to call to get the problem fixed, fast.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113


Feb
2

Choosing the Right Conveyor Belt for Your Application

If you own a growing manufacturing business, you may be considering the addition of conveyor belts to your operation. There are few pieces of equipment which are as essential to large manufacturing operations as the conveyor belt, reducing labor costs and increasing production. However, it’s not as simple as just adding a conveyor belt. You first need to decide which is going to best meet the needs of your particular business.

Cleated Conveyor Belts

For moving flat items or product up a steep incline, cleated conveyor belts are an excellent option. You can have cleated belts custom-made for your product, or choose rubber cleats to help with items which are difficult to keep in place.

Food Grade Conveyor Belts

If you produce food products, there are unique concerns when purchasing conveyor belts. You will need food-grade conveyor belts made of materials which have been approved by the USDA, installed by a quality conveyor belt provider. You may also need to consider adding coating to your belt to protect it from staining and to provide easy removal of adhesive substances.

Rough Top Conveyor Belts

Do you need to move packaged materials? You may need to have a rough-top conveyor belt that will easily hold smooth surfaces, such as packed cardboard boxes. These are used by many shipping outfits to process packages quickly and efficiently.

Vacuum Conveyor Belts

Some products may need to be held flat to your belt, such as paper or cardboard products. If you need a secure grip on a flat product or to hold an item in a specific position, you may need a vacuum conveyor belt for your application.

As important as the type of conveyor belt you choose is the company that installs and services your new belt. Make sure to choose a conveyor belt company that offers a variety of commercial belts, and ongoing repair and service plans for all your conveyor belt needs.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

Nov
21

Who Should You Call to Troubleshoot Your Conveyor Belt Problem?

If you own an industrial operation which relies upon conveyor belts, you know how important these devices are to staying productive. Once these belts go down, you are losing time and money, making it essential to find the right conveyor repair and service company – fast! However, you want to choose a company that’s going to fix the problem right the first time, preventing further shutdowns in the future. Before calling a service company for your conveyor belt problem, consider these factors: 

–        Years of experience. You want a service company which has been around the block and has an established reputation in the industry. Choose a conveyor belt repair and installation company with decades of experience working on all types of belts.

–        Industry experts. While many companies dabble in several types of mechanical repair, they may not be experts in conveyor belts. To troubleshoot and repair a conveyor belt quickly and correctly, find a company that specializes in belt repair and installation.

–        Parts supplier. Choose a conveyor belt service company which will have the parts needed to repair your belt. A premier belt service supplier will also carry a variety of hoses and other rubber products which may be needed for your repair.

–        Offer fast, convenient repair options. An experienced conveyor belt troubleshooting company should be able to diagnose the problem fast, and offer solutions. Some of the best in the business can diagnose an issue right over the phone just from gathering the details of the problem, helping you get back up and running even faster. 

Once you find a conveyor belt service company you can trust, keep them on speed dial for all your service and installation needs. They are few and far between, making it worth the effort to find the right company that will be there when you need them.

Posted on behalf of:
The King Group, Inc.
6865 Shiloh Road East, #100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 886-1113

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