Compound Weave Conveyor Belts

A compound weave conveyor belt, also called a compound balanced weave belt or CB belt, is made from alternating left-hand and right-hand spiral coils joined by multiple cross wires. This creates a close mesh for small products and a relatively flat carrying surface.

• Compound Weave / Compound Balanced Weave Belt: Common names for this construction.
• CB3 / CB4 / CB5: In this designation system, the number identifies three, four or five cross wires per coil. Confirm the complete mesh specification as well as the number.
• Cordweave: A product name used by Wire Belt Company for compound balanced belting; it does not by itself confirm interchangeability with another supplier’s belt.
• Baking Band / CB5 Baking Band: Terms associated with oven applications. Baking bands also include other belt constructions, so the name alone is insufficient for ordering.
• V-shaped Conveyor Belt: A description sometimes used for the visible herringbone pattern. It is not a complete technical specification.

When replacing a belt, confirm wire sizes, pitches, cross-wire count, width, length, material and edge details.

CB3, CB4 and CB5 identify three, four and five cross wires per coil respectively. They do not define the complete mesh geometry or a universal minimum drum diameter.

• CB3: Three connecting wires per coil. Selected constructions are used in tortilla ovens and other layouts requiring suitable flexibility.
• CB4: Four connecting wires per coil. Available for small-product support, food processing and selected heat-treatment duties.
• CB5: Five connecting wires per coil. Dense constructions are widely used for biscuits, crackers and cookies.

Flexibility, open area and minimum drum diameter depend on the pitches, wire diameters, wire cross-section and assembly. Do not select a drum solely from the CB number or assume every CB5 belt is denser than every CB3 belt. Ask for the minimum drum diameter for the exact specification; an undersized drum can increase bending stress and premature wire fatigue.

Food processing and baking: Grade 304 is a common stainless choice, while 316 or 316L can be considered for more demanding corrosion conditions. Suitable high carbon steel baking bands are also used in selected dry oven processes. Select the material for the product, operating temperature and cleaning method rather than treating stainless steel as mandatory for every food-contact application.

For baking at 200–300°C, confirm the belt construction and duty as well as the grade. Seafood, brined products, acids and chloride-containing sanitisers require review of chemical concentration, temperature and contact time. A 316-series grade is not immune to chloride attack. For welded joints, discuss the low-carbon grade and welding procedure. Request documentation for the intended food-contact use; an alloy designation alone does not establish FDA or EU compliance.

Heat treatment and furnaces: The material table lists wire reference values of 550°C for carbon steel, 750°C for 304, 800°C for 316/316L, 1120°C for 314 and 1150°C for Inconel 600. These are not universal allowable temperatures for a loaded mesh or chain-edge assembly.

Grades 310/310S and 80/20 NiCr may also be considered after technical review. Provide the oxidizing, reducing, carburizing or nitriding atmosphere details, belt load and full cycle profile. For 314, sustained service around 800–900°C warrants particular review because of embrittlement risk; brief passage through that range should not be treated as an unconditional guarantee of suitability.

For an accurate quotation, provide the following information:

• Compound type: CB3, CB4, CB5 or the measured cross-wire count.
• Coil pitch (mm): Centre-to-centre spacing across the belt width.
• Coil wire diameter (mm): For flat wire, provide width × thickness, for example 1.6 × 1.3 mm.
• Cross wire pitch (mm): Centre-to-centre spacing along the belt length.
• Cross wire diameter (mm).
• Belt width (mm) and belt length (m): Include how the length was measured.
• Wire material: 304, 316, 316L, 314, Inconel 600, carbon steel or another specified grade.
• Edge type: Welded or chain edge; include side guards or flights where required.
• Wire surface: Round coil wire or flattened coil-wire configuration.
• Application: Baking, annealing, sintering or other duty, plus temperature, atmosphere, load and speed.

An existing Ashworth CB part number or Wire Belt CORD code can be a useful reference, but replacement suitability must be checked against dimensions and operating conditions. Photos, drawings or an undamaged sample help identify the construction. If you only know the conveyor centre distance, include a layout drawing; centre distance is not the same as total belt length.

Ask about sample availability before ordering a full belt. A section approximately 300–600 mm × 200 mm may be useful for identification if it includes the relevant mesh and edge details; agree the sample size and response schedule with PFM SCREEN.