Conveyor Belt & Chain Calculator
Calculate belt length, speed, tension, motor power, and chain specifications for your conveyor systems. Get instant engineering calculations based on industry standards.
Calculate Conveyor Specifications
Calculate total belt length for two-pulley system
Find Conveyor Parts
Common Chain Pitches
| ANSI # | Pitch (mm) | Pitch (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 6.35 | 1/4 |
| 35 | 9.525 | 3/8 |
| 40 | 12.7 | 1/2 |
| 50 | 15.875 | 5/8 |
| 60 | 19.05 | 3/4 |
| 80 | 25.4 | 1 |
About This Conveyor Calculator
Our Conveyor Belt & Chain Calculator is a comprehensive engineering tool designed for mechanical engineers, maintenance technicians, and project managers in the manufacturing, mining, and materials handling industries across South Africa. Whether you're designing a new conveyor system or troubleshooting an existing one, this calculator provides accurate specifications based on industry-standard formulas.
Available Calculations
- Belt Length: Calculate total belt length for two-pulley systems using center distance and pulley diameters. Includes wrap angle analysis and splice allowance recommendations.
- Belt Speed: Determine linear belt speed from pulley diameter and RPM. Essential for calculating throughput capacity and material handling rates.
- Belt Tension: Calculate effective tension considering belt weight, material load, friction, and incline angle. Provides tight-side and slack-side tensions for proper drive design.
- Motor Power: Determine required motor power (kW or HP) based on belt tension, speed, and drive efficiency. Includes service factor recommendations.
- Chain Length: Calculate roller chain length in links between two sprockets. Automatically rounds to even numbers and suggests center distance adjustments.
- Chain Speed: Determine chain linear speed from sprocket teeth, pitch, and RPM. Includes pitch diameter calculations.
Key Formulas Used
- Belt Length: L = 2C + π(D₁+D₂)/2 + (D₁-D₂)²/(4C)
- Belt Speed: V = π × D × N / 60,000 (m/s)
- Belt Tension: Te = f×L×g×(Wb+Wm) + H×g×Wm
- Motor Power: P = (Te × V) / (1000 × η)
- Chain Links: L = 2C/P + (N₁+N₂)/2 + [(N₂-N₁)/(2π)]² × P/C
Industry Applications
This calculator is used by professionals in various industries including:
- Mining and quarrying operations
- Food and beverage processing plants
- Packaging and distribution centers
- Agricultural processing facilities
- Manufacturing assembly lines
- Bulk material handling systems
- Airport baggage handling
- Recycling and waste management
Engineering Standards
Our calculations follow established engineering standards including CEMA (Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association) guidelines, ISO standards for belt conveyors, and ANSI/ASME specifications for roller chains. The formulas account for real-world factors like friction coefficients, drive efficiency losses, and proper safety factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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