Hole pattern
Belt perforation spacing, pattern and hole size are worked out for the product, so the suction sits under the part rather than around it.
01Engineered solution
Vacuum belt conveyors
Light, flat product blows off a belt, slides on it and will not stay where it was placed. Drawing air through perforations in the belt holds it down, which makes inclines, inverted runs and accurate placement possible.
Perforated belt
02Principle
Air is pulled through the belt.
A vacuum conveyor creates suction that keeps product flat against the belt surface. A vacuum source pulls air through perforations in the belt, which forms a seal between the product and the belt and stops it moving independently of it.
The suction is focused by a custom bed plate containing a vacuum chamber, and ports are drilled into the conveyor frame to connect it. How many ports are drilled depends on the application rather than being fixed.
There is no vacuum on the tails
Suction acts over the bed, not the whole conveyor. That stops product slipping or sliding during the run while still letting it be lifted off the belt easily at the end, without fighting the vacuum to release it.
03Specified per application
Four things designed around the product.
A vacuum conveyor is not selected from a range. The holding pattern is built for the part it has to hold.
Vacuum area
The bed plate and its vacuum chamber are shaped so the holding force is applied where the product actually travels.
Port count
Ports are custom-drilled into the frame, and how many are needed follows the holding force and belt area rather than a standard.
Vacuum source
A regenerative vacuum blower provides the vacuum. Roarer can supply the blower assembly, or you can connect your own.
04Platforms
Available on the industrial ranges.
The vacuum arrangement is built into a standard industrial frame, so the platform decides the load and speed envelope.
2200 Series
Small to medium parts
Suited to small and medium part handling. The published envelope fits the pharmaceutical and medical work that vacuum holding is often specified for.
3200 Series
Long runs and heavier loads
For long runs, higher speeds and heavier loads, with flexible layout options including inclines and declines. Used for part handling and accumulation, processing and packaging, automation and assembly.
Published figures for the low-profile platform.
- Load
- Up to 54 kg (120 lb)
- Speed
- Up to 122 m/min (400 ft/min)
- Drive
- End and centre drive
- Tensioning
- Rack and pinion
Sealed ball bearings throughout. Reference the platform specification sheet for the remaining detail.
05Belting
The belt choice follows the product.
Standard belting is the recommended starting point. Two specials exist for cases where suction alone is not the whole answer.
Recommended belting
Standard belting is recommended for most vacuum applications, and is compatible with both V-guided and non-V-guided arrangements.
For rigid parts
Friction belting is available for rigid items where suction alone will not stop them sliding.
- Plastic caps
- Plastic bottles
- Ceramic wafers
- Glassware
For thin, static-prone product
Electrically conductive belting is available for thin products that would otherwise hold a static charge.
- Paper
- Light cardboard
- Cloth
- Plastic film
- Platforms
- Industrial ranges
- Drive
- End and centre drive compatible
- Belt guiding
- V-guided and non-V-guided
- Vacuum source
- Regenerative vacuum blower
- Gearmotors
- Light, standard or heavy duty
- Mounts
- Side, bottom or top
- Stands
- Fixed, adjustable and quick-adjust
- Vacuum area
- Designed per application
06Applications
Where holding the product down is the job.
Used across health care, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and metalworking, wherever product is light, thin or flat enough to move on its own.
Inspection
Holding product still and flat so it can be seen or measured consistently.
Precision part movement
Moving a part without letting it rotate or drift from where it was placed.
Small part handling and positioning
Keeping small items in position between operations.
Work holding
Holding product against the belt while something is done to it.
Infeed and outfeed
Presenting parts and packages to the next machine and taking them away again.
Printing
Holding sheet, leaflet or film flat and square while it is printed.
Automated assembly
Keeping the part located so a machine can act on it repeatably.
Manual assembly
Holding the work for an operator so they do not have to.
07Gallery
Vacuum arrangements.
Flat product, sheet handling and inclined runs.
08Frequently asked questions
Vacuum belt conveyors.
What they hold, what provides the vacuum and what is designed per application.
What kind of product suits a vacuum conveyor?
Small, flat parts and other lightweight, thin materials: sheets of paper, plastic parts, cardboard, leaflets, small pouches and empty plastic packaging. Anything light enough to blow off a belt or slide on it.
What creates the vacuum?
A regenerative vacuum blower. Roarer can supply the blower assembly, or you can connect an existing one.
Is the whole belt under suction?
No. There is no vacuum on the conveyor tails. Suction holds product through the run but releases it at the end, so it can be lifted away without resistance.
Can it run up an incline or upside down?
Yes. Holding the product to the belt is what makes elevation changes and inverted runs possible; the 3200 platform in particular offers inclines and declines.
Which belt should we use?
Standard belting is recommended in most cases. Friction belting suits rigid items such as plastic caps, bottles, ceramic wafers and glassware. Electrically conductive belting suits thin products such as paper, light cardboard, cloth and plastic film.
09Related solutions
Often specified alongside.
Vacuum holding usually serves positioning, inspection or an elevation change.
Tell us what will not stay on the belt.
Give us the product size, weight and material, the run profile and the holding you need, and Roarer can specify the belt perforation and vacuum area.
Discuss your application