Q: How long will my strap last?
A: It all depends on the use and maintenance of your harness and equipment. Just think of a car tire. The faster you go, the more likely it is to wear and tear due to the number of revolutions. However, if you always take good care of your belt, it will last for a longer period of time.
Q: Are Wire Belts suitable for food contact?
A: Flat-Flex®, Compact-Grid™ and Versa-Link® are USDA accepted and therefore suitable for food contact.
Other belt types such as Eye-Flex®, honeycomb and spiral belts do not have this acceptance. This is not necessarily due to the material, but to the structure of the belt. The construction is often not open enough to ensure cleaning to the extent that the issuing US authority can express acceptance without hesitation. The local requirements and conditions must be checked in each individual case.
Q: With how much tension should I install my harness?
A: First of all, this depends on the type of belt used. In principle, however, it behaves like a bicycle chain. There should be enough tension to pull the belt into the drive pulleys. The belt should be "hand-tight" at the inlet. If the tension is too low, this will result in rough running and skipping at the gears. However, if the tension is too high, the belt will be overloaded and lose its lifespan.
Q: What is the maximum possible tape speed?
A: Basically, you can drive a belt as fast as you need to. However, keep in mind that a high running speed has a negative effect on the service life. However, the problem is not only the running speed. Plant construction and diversions play an important role. The more frequently and faster the belt is deflected, the greater the wear.
Q: What widths are available for Wire Belt straps?
A: Depending on belt type and specification, belt widths of up to 6.500mm are possible.
Q: Do I have to remove my strap for cleaning?
A: Usually not. Our belts are usually "clean-in-place" capable. A separate test should be carried out for belts with a small open area (Eye-Flex®) or when using non-stainless steel.
Q: What are the advantages of metal conveyor belts over plastic belts?
A: Metal conveyor belts have what is known as “clean-in-place” capability. This means you have the option of cleaning your Wire Belt on the spot, it does not have to be removed from the system first. Likewise, metal conveyor belts and thus all components, in contrast to plastic, can be detected by metal detectors, which plays a particularly important role in the food industry. Another key advantage is that metal conveyor belts, unlike plastic belts, cannot catch fire.
Q: Can my harness also run backwards?
A: This is possible in principle. Some types of belts are designed to run forwards and backwards from the start. Precautions should be taken with other types of harnesses, such as Flat-Flex®. This includes taking into account open firing edges (if they are not C-Cure edges) or possibly the presence of a double-sided, switchable drive system.