Analysis of the different roles played by drums and idlers in conveyors

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Drive drums and idler rollers are generally used in conveyor belts; the drive drum serves to drive and guide the belt, while the idler rollers support the conveyor belt. Generally speaking, the technical requirements for idler rollers are higher than those for drums; whether it is the precision requirements for the idler rollers, the equipment needed for processing them, the materials and accessories required, or technical testing – all of these are essential! For rollers used in the general food industry, these requirements are relatively much lower; as long as the roller can rotate, it can be used, and there are usually no major problems However, for idler rollers, they are generally used in large belt conveyors for transporting coal, lime, and iron ore, in outdoor environments with harsh conditions; such demanding operating conditions mean that the manufacturing standards for idler rollers must be higher than those for drums! The transmission is a device that transfers the torque of the motor to the belt, enabling the belt to move continuously. It consists of a motor, drive drum, coupling, reducer, etc. As the conveying capacity of conveyors increases and the transportation distances grow, the power of motors keeps rising, and the use of multiple motors for drive systems is also on the increase. Using multi-motor drive can reduce the height and width of the transmission mechanism. The drive drum is the main component for transmitting power, and it comes in single-drum and double-drum types. Single-drum drive has the advantages of a simple transmission system and fewer components. But underground, the wrap angle is increased to ensure a compact structure in order to adapt to the adverse conditions there. A double-drum drive is commonly used. The drive drum is welded from steel plates or cast from steel. Its surface comes in three types: smooth, coated, and cast. Use smooth rollers in situations where power is low and the ambient temperature is moderate ； In environments with high power and high humidity, rubber-coated rollers are used to prevent the tape from sticking to the roller. The function of the tensioning device is to ensure that the belt has sufficient tension, thereby creating the necessary friction between the drum and the belt; it also prevents the belt from sagging between the supports, allowing the belt conveyor to operate properly. Common tensioning devices include mechanical tensioning, screw tensioning, and weight-driven tensioning. It is very important for the cleaning device’s belt conveyor to clean the dirt from the conveyor belt, drums, and idlers while it is in operation, as this dirt can cause the belt to deviate from its path and lead to severe wear on the moving parts. Usually, a scraper is installed behind the unloading drum to clean the dirty side of the belt; another method is to use a rotating brush at the bottom of the unloading drum for cleaning.