To better understand the advantages of air supported conveyors, it’s useful to look at traditional roller conveyors. These systems use a series of rotating rollers to carry a conveyor belt and move materials.

While roller conveyors have been a standard in material handling, they have inherent drawbacks, such as higher maintenance due to moving parts, noise production, and increased energy costs.

Aerobelt’s air-supported conveyors address these issues by levitating the belt on a cushion of air, reducing friction and improving efficiency. The comparison below highlights these key differences, showcasing the innovative advantages of air-supported conveyor technology. Learn more about how Aerobelt conveyors work here.

Product Agitation

Aerobelt conveyors are more gentle on the product carried on the belt than traditional conveyors. As the belt is continuosly supported in a constant belt profile, the product does not rise and fall as it does between each idler set on a conventional conveyor. This low product agitation leads to significant reductions in dust and noise emissions.

Noise Level

Aerobelt conveyor’s are substantially quieter than traditional roller conveyors due to their considerable reduction in moving parts, vibration, and rollers, with the main span of an Aerobelt ranging around 65 dBA whilst fully loaded and running. This paired with their inherent low dust emissions makes them ideal for installations in residential areas.

Maintenance Frequency

Maintenance is significantly reduced compared to roller conveyors due to fewer moving parts and the absence of load carrying idlers. Maintenance tasks consist of:

• Drive and tail pulley bearing lubrication
• Cleaning of the fan air filter (the time period is dependent on the dust in the fan environment)
• General inspection of standard wear components such as belt, rollers, scrapers, and skirting

Energy Efficiency

Aerobelt’s low friction air supported design provides substantially lower running costs than most other conveyors including traditional roller, drag, chain, screw, and pneumatic conveyors.

Design and Operational Safety

The Aerobelt conveyor system features a fully enclosed design with clamped dust-sealed covers on the carry side, ensuring product integrity by preventing contamination and enhancing operator safety by restricting access to moving parts. Carry idler pinch points are eliminated, and even when the Aerobelt operates without covers, the main air-supported carry section remains free of pinch points.

Component Lifespan

Due to the lower mechanical wear and operating tensions when compared to equivalent roller conveyors, the belts and pulleys on Aerobelt conveyors last substantially longer. Due to this, our belts and pulleys can be made much longer, reducing capital cost.

Installation Complexity

Aerobelt’s are easier and faster to install due to their modular design, which, due to their male/ female interlocking joiners, fit together seamlessly. Installation time is further minimised due to the absence of carry side rollers which take considerable time to install, reducing the work load for fitment crews.

Loading Capacity

Aerobelt’s conveyor systems can handle 10-15% more load than roller conveyors of the same size, due to the continuously supported belt cross-section.

Environmental Impact

The enclosed chamber of an Aerobelt conveyor reduces dust and spillage, resulting in cleaner and quieter operation. Dust output can be minimised further by integrating vacuum-based dust extraction systems and conventional pulley scraper systems, which clean the product off the belt after discharge.

Lifecycle Cost

Aerobelt lifecycle costs are generally lower due to reduced maintenance, energy efficiency, and extended component lifespan.

Please note that the specific figures and comparisons may vary based on the manufacturer’s design and the operational context. For the most accurate and detailed information, consulting technical specifications and performance data sheets from the manufacturers or industry case studies is recommended.

Whether you’re considering a new installation, an upgrade, or contemplating a replacement for your existing system, Aerobelt’s air supported conveyors stand as a smarter, safer choice. Consider a conveyor system designed for superior efficiency, safety, and cost savings. Get in touch with Aerobelt to discuss your conveyor system needs.