General FAQs

We provide fast delivery with an industry-leading manufacturing time of just five days on non-stock standard products.

Yes, all Luff products come backed with a full two year warranty.

No

Yes. Please contact customer service for specific a manual.

There are many different types of conveyor belt systems. Some of the most common are roller belts, flat belts, cleated belts, inclined belts, and curved belts.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides a conveyor system safety guide. When working near a conveyor, some of the most important safety measures include:

  • Wear proper safety gear, such as a hard hat and safety shoes
  • Tie back and tuck in long hair
  • Don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery
  • Don’t service the conveyor without following lock-out procedures
  • Know where the emergency shutoff is and how to use it
  • Make sure all safeguard, warning signs, and other safety devices are in place

Proper conveyor belt design meets the requirements of the operations, regardless of how simple or complex, to ensure a longer life and optimum performance. At Luff, we provide Engineeering & Design services to assist with any modifications and design requirements to help you get the most out of your conveyor belt system.

Weight of the material, power consumption, tension force, transfer rate, normal wear and tear, and start/stop times are all factors that can influence conveyor belt speed requirements.

Some of the most common conveyor belt problems are:

  • Excessive material spillage
  • Seized rollers
  • Material blockage
  • Mistracking
  • Belt damage
  • Belt slippage
  • Excessive wear and tear on rollers and idlers

When engineering and design a conveyor belt system, we look at:

  • Specific application and type of materials you will be handling
  • The work environment (ie: dry and dusty, wet conditions, heavy-duty environment)
  • Industry specifications and standardizations
  • Structure installation

Yes, conveyor systems can come equipped with safety sensors that automatically trigger the conveyor system to slow down or stop completely for safety measures. There are a few different types of sensors, including:

  • Speed switch sensors that detect when the belt breaks, slips or stops moving unexpectedly
  • Position sensors that detect when material is displaced
  • Magnetic sensors that detect damage in steel-cord cores

These are emergency pull cords that stop the conveyor operation when activated.

There are different types of conveyor belt materials, such as a solid rubber belt, a solid PVC belt, a mesh belt, a roller belt, and modular belt, to name a few. The type and textile of the belt plays an important role and is one of the main considerations when designing a conveyor system. For example, roller belts are generally used for hand sorting and assembling while mesh belts are used in food processing and operations that handle high temperatures, chemical, and corrosion.

Conveyor Belt Idlers FAQs

Idlers are used between the input and output shafts.

There are many different types of idlers for conveyor belt systems, with the most common being trough training, flat return, flat carrying, steel return, and impact idlers.

Idlers play a crucial role in supporting the belt and helping it convey material along its full length. Idlers prevent the belt from stretching and sagging, prolonging the belt’s life and ensuring that material is moved efficiently.

Luff’s CEMA E and CEMA F idlers are designed for heavy applications and come standard with our High Safety Anti-Lock Shield and Moisture Seal. You’ll often find these idlers in industries such as mining, ship-loading, steel, construction, and iron manufacturing.

This depends on a number of factors, including material type, industry requirements, and the design of the belt itself. Luff can help with modifying an existing conveyor system to increase its efficiency.

There are two types of idlers in a conveyor system: the carrying idler and the return idler. As the name implies, the carrying idler supports the belt while transporting material and the return idler supports the belt as it cycles around. Both are critical components of conveyor systems and can impact the efficiency and lifespan of the belt

Conveyor Belt Pulleys FAQs

The best type of pulley system depends on the application and industry requirements. Generally speaking, self-cleaning pulleys are a superior design as they help extend the life of conveyor belt components.

One of the main ways to increase the efficiency of a pulley system is to combine multiple pulleys to decrease the amount of force to move an object. Reducing the mass of the pulley and lowering the friction between surfaces can also increase the efficiency of a pulley.

Aluminum and steel are some of the best pulley materials because of its durability, strength, and resistance to high temperatures. Luff designs and manufactures pulleys that can withstand heavy-duty environments, such as mining and construction.

The belt will slip and eventually experience excessive wear. Pulley misalignment is one of the top causes of premature belt wear.

Pulley lagging increases friction with the conveyor belt while protecting the shell from damage. Selecting the correct pulley lagging will increase the friction, preventing the belt from slipping. Pulley lagging is especially important for applications that require high rotation speeds as it reduces wear and maximizes the value of your application.

Conveyor Impact Beds FAQs

Conveyor impact beds work to assist the belt and structure in absorbing the impact of falling material. They have a higher impact rating to handle consistent and heavy strikes, resulting in longer service life for the conveyor system as a whole.

Impact idlers are placed close to each other to support a fully loaded belt, preventing the belt from sagging.

Impact beds are designed with shock-absorbent bars and impact-resistant material with a strong frame. They are best installed at the conveyor feed and transfer points to support the transport of heavy material.
The frame design features impact bars that easily slide out in two sections for efficient removal and replacement. This unique, robust construction provides strength and durability to handle heavy-duty operations on a regular basis.

Un-bolt and remove the damaged bed. Place the new bed in the load zone and replace all bolts.

A slider bed conveyor consists of a belt that slides along a solid surface, instead of it being supported by rollers. The surface is typically steel or UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).

Conveyor Accessories FAQs

The most important factors when designing a new conveyor system include:

  • Specific application and type of materials you will be handling
  • The work environment (ie: dry and dusty, wet conditions, heavy-duty environment)
  • Industry specifications and standardizations
  • Structure installation

This depends on the work environment and the volume of material handling. We recommend daily checks for belt slippage, mistracking, and material carry-back as well as weekly and monthly maintenance checks for worn parts that may need replacing. Regular maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your entire conveyor belt system, reduces operational costs, and prevents breakdowns.

Conveyor belts should last 5-10 years if they are maintained well. Conveyor belt parts and accessories can help extend the life of conveyor belts by minimizing material slip back, belt slippage, belt mistracking, and more.

The most common reason for belt tension problems is worn lagging on the head drive pulley. When conveyor belts are improperly installed, it can lead to damage to the wing or tail pulleys. Another common reason for belt tension is frequent material overload. Be sure not to overload the system and follow the manufacturer’s specifications.

The most common reason for material slip back is poor quality belt cleaning systems. An effective solution is to install the right conveyor belt parts and accessories that can minimize the amount of material slip back and keep the belt clean.

Belt misalignment is typically a sign of misaligned idlers, seized rollers, a worn belt, or material overload. If the conveyor belt is misaligned and consistently slipping to the side, we can find a solution.