Conveyor Belt Speed and Capacity Calculator

How is belt speed calculated?

A belt moves at the peripheral speed of its drive drum: v = π × D × n_t / 60, with drum diameter D in metres and drum speed n_t in rpm. Drum speed is motor speed divided by the total reduction ratio: n_t = n / i.

With a 400 mm drum, a 1450 rpm motor and a 25 to 1 gearbox, the drum turns at 58 rpm and the belt runs at π × 0.4 × 58 / 60 = 1.21 m/s.

Capacity for bulk material

The volume a belt moves per unit time is the load cross-section times speed: Q_v = A × v. Multiply by bulk density for mass capacity: Q_m = ρ × A × v. In practical units, with area in m², speed in m/s and density in t/m³, Q = 3600 × A × v × ρ gives tonnes per hour.

A cross-section of 0.02 m², a speed of 1.5 m/s and a bulk density of 1600 kg/m³ give 108 m³/h, or 172.8 t/h.

Capacity for unit loads

On a belt carrying cartons, crates or workpieces, throughput is speed divided by spacing: N = v / a. At 0.5 m/s with 800 mm spacing, 2250 items pass per hour.

Limits

The cross-section area is an input here. On a troughed belt it depends on belt width, idler angle and the surcharge angle of the material, and comes from the tables of a standard or from manufacturer data. Capacity falls on inclined belts. The upper limit of belt speed depends on material, belt width and dusting, and this tool does not suggest one.