Various types of automation systems found on cornerstoneautosys.com are applied in different industries, but the most commonly utilized system would probably be the conveyor belt. Conveyors consist of two or more pulleys, and are consistently transporting a continuous loop of material known as the conveyor belt. The pulleys are powered, rotating the belt and transporting the material forward. Sometimes only one pulley is powered, and would be called the drive pulley, while the unpowered pulley is known as the idler. Two central classes of belt conveyors exist – the general material handling conveyor, such as those employed to move boxes inside of a factory – and those that are used for bulk material handling, such as coal, ores, grain. The latter being found mostly in outdoor applications. Belt conveyors are quite common in general commercial applications such as in grocery stores at the check-out counter to automatically move shopping items.

A CASI conveyor belt is created with several layers of various materials, such as rubber. In general handling, a belt will typically have two layers of material – an under layer which gives the belt it’s linear strength and shape known as the “carcass” and an over layer known as the “cover.” The cover consists of various rubber and plastic compounds, depending on the use of the belt. Exotic materials can even be found in some conveyor belts, such as silicone or gum rubber, both offering specialized qualities like heat resistance and traction.

More complex conveyors will weigh the material that is in transit, using a beltweigher. Elevator belts, which use regularly spaced partitions, are ideal for transporting loose materials up steep inclines. Belt conveyors are often employed to unload bulk freighters and live bottom trucks. Even moving sidewalks and escalators found in places like malls use conveyor transport technology – as well as manufacturing assembly lines.