Efficient material handling is essential in recycling plants, where conveyors transport a wide variety of materials with differing characteristics. Selecting appropriate conveyor drive units is critical for smooth operation, safety, and throughput. David Strain, Technical Director at systems integrator Technidrive, outlines the key considerations when specifying drives for belt feeders, transfer belts, and picking belts.

Each conveyor type plays a distinct role in recycling operations. Belt feeders, located beneath hoppers, regulate material flow into the line. These systems often use inverter-controlled drives to allow fine speed adjustment — particularly important when handling irregular materials like construction waste. Material characteristics, rather than bulk capacity, should guide drive sizing in these applications.

Transfer belts move materials between process stages. While drive specification here may be more straightforward, consistent speed matching is vital to prevent material build-up and flow disruption.

Picking belts, used for manual or automated sorting, depend heavily on speed control. Slower speeds support positive picking (removal of more items), while faster speeds suit negative picking (removal of selected items).

Mechanical considerations such as friction and alignment can also impact drive performance. Poorly aligned skirt rubbers or friction-heavy flat-bed conveyors can cause overheating and drive failure. In response, Technidrive offers an integrated Drum Drive system, where the motor and gearbox are housed within the conveyor drum, reducing friction, improving reliability, and saving space.

Variable speed operation is often key to handling real-time process demands. Whether working with OEMs or control panel suppliers, matching the right drive solution to the specific conveyor role enhances performance, minimises downtime, and supports the overall efficiency of recycling lines.

Ultimately, proper drive selection enables conveyors to do more than move materials — they keep the process flowing efficiently and safely.

technidrive.co.uk

Keeping the line moving