As you must know static electricity is ubiquitous, especially in dry environments, where electrostatic induction often occurs. We may feel uncomfortable in our daily life, but you may not know how static electricity affects industries, especially the conveying production lines.
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In this article by Bsbeltfactory, we will introduce the danger and damage that static electricity may cause in production, why anti static conveyor belt is necessary for industries, and how to remove static electricity with anti static belts.
Static electricity poses fire and explosion risks in production sites handling flammable materials, dust, and oil mist, such as chemical raw materials and fireworks manufacturing. In the electronics industry, static electricity attracts dust and reduces insulation resistance in electronic components, shortening their lifespan. Electrostatic discharge can generate electromagnetic fields or heat, causing interference or damage to components. For example, as little as 2.5V can harm a 70G oscilloscope, while 20V can damage a semiconductor PN junction, and 30-50V can harm most electronic components. Static electricity also affects item conveying, leading to drop issues and potential electric shock accidents for operators.
Conveyor belts are widely used in various industries, saving manpower, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. However, during manufacturing, friction, and conduction cause static electricity accumulation on conductive products and workers. To ensure safe production, using anti-static industrial belts is crucial. These belts are made of anti-static materials with a conductive strength layer and reduced surface resistivity. They guide accumulated static electricity to dissipate to the ground, effectively eliminating static electricity problems.
Static electricity is generated due to the constant motion of the belt on the conveyor. As mentioned before, static electricity may lead to good loss and even accidents in production, so this part will show you some practical tips about getting rid of static electricity.
By grounding the conveyor, static electricity can be dissipated to the ground, reducing the risk of static buildup and discharge.
It can reduce the surface resistance value of the item and speed up the rate of charge dissipation, thereby reducing the accumulation of static electricity.
Limiting the transportation speed can slow down the generation of static electricity and reduce the risk of accidents caused by static electricity.
Static elimination rods or other static eliminators can neutralize static electricity by generating positive and negative ions, effectively reducing the occurrence of static electricity problems.
The last but most effective solution for getting rid of static electricity is using esd conveyor belt. It is a reliable and effective solution to static electricity problems and is widely used in conveyor belt systems in industrial production. Because it boasts the advantages of durability, wide applicability, reliability, and increased work efficiency compared to other methods.
Anti-static industrial belts are added with anti-static materials during the manufacturing process. By forming a conductive grid or conductive layer, it can provide conductive performance for a long time. Compared to other methods, it does not require frequent adjustments or maintenance.
Anti static belts are suitable for various applications, such as chemical, printing, electronics, and other industries. Regardless of the environment, esd conveyor belt can provide a stable anti-static effect.
After special treatment, the anti-static belt has good dispersion and thermal stability. It can maintain stable electrical conductivity in harsh working environments, and can effectively prevent the occurrence of static electricity problems for a long time.
The use of anti-static industrial belts can effectively eliminate static electricity problems, and maintain the stability and continuity of production to improve efficiency.
In the manufacturing process of the antistatic conveyor belt, the antistatic agent is added to form a conductive grid or conductive layer on the surface of the product to achieve charge transfer and conductivity.
These conductive grids or conductive layers can effectively disperse and dissipate static charges, reduce the resistivity of the conveyor belt surface, and prevent the accumulation and discharge of static electricity.
As the antistatic agent is not affected by temperature and humidity, its antistatic effect can maintain well in different environments. Therefore, in a harsh working environment, the esd conveyor belt can continuously and effectively prevent the occurrence of static electricity problems.
Forming a conductive grid or layer by adding an antistatic agent is a common method for belts to get rid of static electricity, used in a wide variety of conveyor belt types and applications.
Generally, anti-static belts are preferred by some particular industries their ability to prevent dust accumulation and get rid of static electricity in production. These benefits align perfectly with the requirements of some particular industries, where static electricity poses a significant risk.
It is widely known that without implementing anti-static measures, electronic components are susceptible to damage from static electricity, leading to performance degradation or even complete failure. Hence, anti static belts find primary application in the transportation of electronic components within the electronics industry.
Especially in the fields of semiconductor production, electronic component manufacturing, electronic assembly, etc. They are used to transport sensitive electronic components and equipment to prevent damage to devices caused by electrostatic discharge.
In addition to the electronics industry, antistatic conveyor belts are widely employed in various other sectors, including:
Anti-static conveyor belts find extensive applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, where cleanliness and precision have been prioritized.
In the pharmaceutical industry, these belts are utilized for the transportation of pharmaceutical raw materials, formulations, powders, and granules to ensure the integrity and safety of sensitive drugs throughout the manufacturing process.
Similarly, in the chemical industry, anti-static conveyor belts are commonly employed to handle flammable, explosive, or static-sensitive chemicals, minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring secure transportation and processing.
Anti-static conveyor belts are widely used in powder processing and material transportation fields, such as fly ash transportation, stone powder transportation, fertilizer production, etc. The use of anti static conveyor belts can reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
Antistatic conveyor belts are used to convey static-sensitive food raw materials and finished products, such as flour, powdered sugar, chocolate powder, etc. Anti-static properties help prevent dust explosions and product contamination caused by static electricity.
Antistatic tapes are essential in printing and packaging applications where static charges can interfere with proper equipment operation and cause defects in printed materials or packaging films.
Antistatic conveyor belts enable the safe handling and assembly of optical instruments and optoelectronic devices.
By employing anti-static conveyor belts, these industries ensure enhanced product quality, minimize the risk of damage, and maintain a high level of operational efficiency.
It should be noted that different industries and application fields have different surface resistance requirements for anti static conveyor belts. Some sensitive industries, such as electronics, petrochemical, aerospace, etc., may require lower surface resistance values to ensure good anti-static performance. In other general application areas, such as general logistics and packaging, the requirements for surface resistance may be relatively loose.
Antistatic means the surface resistance value of the antistatic conveyor belt can be used to evaluate its conductive performance, and different surface resistance values represent different antistatic capabilities. Here are some common surface resistance value differences and what they mean:
High Resistance: The surface resistance value is greater than 10^12 ohms. In this case, the device has high insulation performance, is difficult to conduct electricity, and has weak antistatic ability.
Medium Resistance: The surface resistance value is between 10^6 and 10^12 ohms. In this case, the device has certain conductive properties and can dissipate static charges to a certain extent, but the anti-static ability is relatively weak.
Low Resistance: The surface resistance value is between 10^3 and 10^6 ohms. In this case, the device has good electrical conductivity, can effectively dissipate static charges, and provide high anti-static capabilities.
Ultra-Low Resistance: The surface resistance value is less than 10^3 ohms. In this case, the device has excellent electrical conductivity, can quickly and effectively dissipate static charges, and provides extremely high anti-static capabilities.
Therefore, when selecting an anti-static conveyor belt, the required surface resistance level should be determined according to specific industry requirements and application scenarios to ensure that the equipment can meet the corresponding anti-static requirements.
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Anti-static belts are used in many industries, so what should you pay attention to when purchasing?
First, you need to determine the load weight and flow speed that the belt is required according to its conveying stuff and task.
Second, you should note that different industries and application fields have different surface resistance requirements for anti-static conveyor belts. you need to make the right choice about the anti-static coefficient of the belt,
Meanwhile, with the extension of use time, the anti-static coefficient will decrease. Therefore, when purchasing or customizing anti-static belts, you should clearly know how long the anti-static can last to ensure that the anti-static coefficient is in an effective protection state during the belt’s service life.
When it comes to industrial production, a minimum anti-static level of 10^8 is essential to ensure optimal performance and prevent potential disruptions caused by electrostatic discharge. At Bsbeltfactory, we go above and beyond by offering conveyor belts with anti-static indexes ranging from 10^6 to 10⁹, providing you with the utmost reliability and peace of mind.
At Bsbeltfactory, we understand the critical importance of maintaining a high anti-static level in conveyor belts for industrial applications. Our anti-static PVC conveyor belts and anti-static PU conveyor belts are carefully crafted to deliver outstanding performance in industrial settings.
When using an anti static conveyor belt, it’s important to pay attention to the following considerations:
Cleaning:
Regular cleaning of the anti static belt is necessary. It is not recommended to use alcohol for cleaning as it can damage the anti-static layer. If the anti-static layer wears off over time, it can be reapplied using an anti-static solution.
Cleaning agents:
Choose cleaning agents that are suitable for the material of the anti static belt. Avoid using acidic, alkaline, or strong solvent-based cleaning agents as they may harm the surface of the belt.
Cleaning method:
Use a soft cloth or sponge dipped in a cleaning agent to gently wipe the surface of the conveyor belt. Avoid using brushes or hard objects to scrub the belt to prevent scratching or damaging it.
Cleaning frequency:
Establish an appropriate cleaning frequency based on the usage environment and frequency. Regular cleaning helps prevent the accumulation of dirt and deposits, ensuring the cleanliness and optimal anti-static performance of the conveyor belt.
Prevent moisture buildup:
During the cleaning process, avoid excessive use of water or cleaning agents to prevent moisture from seeping into the conveyor belt. If the belt gets wet, it should be dried promptly to avoid prolonged dampness.
These considerations should be kept in mind when using an anti-static conveyor belt. Proper cleaning and maintenance will help preserve its performance and lifespan, ensuring effective static prevention.
Just like other types of belts, the inevitable wear and tear of anti-static conveyor belts necessitate effective repair methods. In this part, we present three highly efficient techniques for promptly restoring damaged anti-static conveyor belts: hot vulcanization, cold vulcanization, and cold bonding.
This method rejuvenates the performance of antistatic conveyor belts by performing localized thermal vulcanization repairs on worn areas. Although it requires considerable manpower and material resources, resulting in longer repair durations, it is well-suited for addressing minor wear and tear.
This straightforward repair approach offers outstanding wear resistance, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. It proves particularly valuable for rectifying long-distance longitudinal or edge wear.
Similar to partial cold vulcanizing, this repair technique effectively deals with longitudinal long-distance scratches on the conveyor belt’s surface or edges. Notably, the local cold bonding method employs repair strips, while the local cold curing method utilizes repair agents.
By employing these methods, users can efficiently restore damaged anti static conveyor belts. Selecting the most appropriate method depends on the specific nature of the conveyor belt damage.
Through this article, we hope you know more about the importance of getting rid of static electricity in industrial production as well as the useful methods that can effectively solve the problem of static electricity generated by the conveyor belt and ensure the safety and stability of the production. For your reference, using anti-static industrial belts is the most effective solution.
When you choose Bsbeltfactory, you can expect seamless joints, precise alignment, and efficient transmission with our anti-static belts. With transmission efficiency reaching an impressive 98% and the ability to handle speeds exceeding 60 m/s, our belts ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations. Additionally, they are engineered to withstand challenging conditions, including wear, heat, and corrosive substances, enabling prolonged and reliable performance.
Experience the superior anti-static performance and durability of Bsbeltfactory’s conveyor belts which have passed FDA/CE/ROHS/REACH certifications. Trust us to deliver exceptional products that elevate your industrial operations to new heights.
We define antistatic properties as the ability of a given product to dissipate electrostatic charge.
Most ContiTech rubber drive belts we supply meet the requirements for electrical conductivity according to ISO 1813:2014 for V-belts and multiple belts and according to ISO 9563:2015 for timing belts.
Conductivity, and thus antistatic properties, is ensured during production thanks to the materials used and the method of production. The basic premise is the use of quality rubber compounds with the required properties. This distinguishes our V-belts and timing belts from various cheap and lower quality belts imported mainly from Asia, which are made from recycled and low quality raw materials.
A list of ContiTech belt types that meet the electrical conductivity requirements can be found in the appendix:
If a test report according to ISO 1813 and ISO 9563 is required, ContiTech issues the following certificates on request after the factory tests:
More information both about the use and certification of belts in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX), and about verification of belts antistatic properties and non-flammability, you can find on the Belt Certification page.
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The situation is more complicated with polyurethane belts. Conventional polyurethanes, from which CONTI SYNCHRODRIVE belts are made, are not conductive, and are therefore not able to dissipate electrostatic charge. Other means must be used to achieve conductivity. Most often, a special fabric is used on the teeth and back PAZ + PAR, which is conductive, thus ensuring that these belts meet antistatic conditions. This fabric, unlike conventional non-conductive green fabric, is gray or black.
The antistatic properties of CONTI SYNCHROFLEX polyurethane timing belts are achieved by a special electrically conductive polyurethane compound. The maximum length of these belts is 700 mm, they are made only to order and the condition of production is the purchase of a very large number of pieces, as it is necessary to completely change the production mixture of polyurethane. The color of these belts is black.
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