TOOLS · GLOSSARY
Design & Calculation — Belt Conveyor Glossary
40 terms on Design & Calculation, each with its working definition, the governing symbol or formula where one exists, and a link to the standard behind it.
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40 terms
CEMA method
North-American resistance-sum method for belt conveyor design.
DIN 22101 method
European design method using main, secondary and special resistances.
Main resistance
Friction along the whole length: belt, material and idlers.
Secondary resistance
Losses at loading and unloading, belt flexure and idler rotation.
Special resistance
Losses from scrapers, skirt friction, curves and trippers.
Slope resistance
Component from lifting the material: Q·H·g.
Resistance coefficient f
Lumped coefficient for main resistance; about 0.02–0.04.
Euler–Eytelwein formula
T1/T2 = e^μα relating belt tensions across the drive pulley.
Drive power sum
P = (Σ resistances)·v / η.
Strength check
Verifying belt, shaft and frame stresses against limits.
Safety-factor check
Confirming the belt safety factor is within the required range.
Idler load distribution
How the load splits between centre and side rolls of a trough set.
Roll selection
Choosing roll diameter, bearing and class for the duty.
Bearing life calculation
ISO 281 rating of bearing life from load and speed.
Shaft calculation
Sizing the shaft for combined bending and torsion.
Weld design
Sizing fillet and butt welds for the joint load.
Bolted joint design
Selecting bolt size and grade for the transmitted load.
Deflection limit
Maximum allowed beam or platform deflection.
Fatigue analysis
Checking parts for cyclic-load life.
Finite element analysis (FEA)
Numerical stress analysis of frames and pulleys.
Discrete element method (DEM)
Simulation of material flow through chutes and transfers.
Belt path layout
Plan and profile of the conveyor route.
Profile drawing
Drawing of the conveyor's vertical profile with lengths and angles.
General arrangement (GA)
Overall drawing showing all major components and interfaces.
Foundation load
Vertical, horizontal and moment loads passed to the foundations.
Anchoring
Fixing the structure to the foundation against uplift and slide.
Tender specification
Client document stating the required performance and scope.
Design duty
The combination of tonnage, material and conditions the design must meet.
Surge capacity
Extra capacity designed in for peak feed rates.
Spare capacity
Headroom above the required duty for future expansion.
Optimum belt speed
Speed that balances capacity against wear and dust.
Belt selection
Choosing carcass, cover grade and strength class for the duty.
Roller life target
Required service hours for idlers, often 30 000–50 000 h.
Cost per tonne conveyed
Whole-life cost of moving one tonne, used to compare designs.
Life-cycle cost (LCC)
Total cost of ownership: capital, energy, maintenance and downtime.
Troughability
Ability of a belt to form a trough under the idlers. Too stiff a belt will not trough and spills material.
Belt sag (idler spacing limit)
Downward deflection of the belt between idlers. Keep it under about 2 % of the spacing or material will not travel smoothly.
De-rating factor
Multiplier reducing rated capacity for altitude, ambient temperature and high starting torque. Ignoring it overheats drives.
Capacity factor
Correction applied to the theoretical cross-section for belt speed, inclination and material behaviour in service.
Coefficient of friction (material on belt)
Friction that keeps the load from sliding on an incline. It sets the maximum conveying angle for the material.
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