Heat Treatment Conveyor Belts

Balanced Spiral Woven Belts

Alternating left- and right-hand spirals are linked by cross rods. Standard and closer-mesh configurations allow the carrying surface to be selected around the component footprint and the required openness.

• Selection direction: consider this family when both product support and access for heat and furnace gases matter.
• Geometry to review: spiral pitch, rod pitch, spiral-wire diameter and cross-rod diameter.
• Equipment match: retain the correct cross-rod arrangement and drive engagement when replacing an existing belt.

Compound Weave Belts

Closely intermeshing spirals joined by multiple straight cross wires form a dense, relatively flat carrying surface. Round- and flat-spiral-wire versions are available within this product family.

• Selection direction: small components, narrow contact bases or parts requiring more continuous support.
• Geometry to review: clear openings, spiral-wire form and the number and arrangement of cross wires.
• Process balance: a denser surface reduces through-belt openness; evaluate support and gas access together.

Rod Reinforced Chain Link Belts

Chain link, also called conventional weave, uses interwoven spiral coils. Cross rods reinforce the mesh and improve support and lateral stability compared with a comparable unreinforced construction.

• Selection direction: suitable furnace duties where the part size permits an open carrying surface.
• Geometry to review: spiral pitch, rod pitch, wire diameters and the arrangement of the spiral panels.
• Equipment match: identify panel handing and joints on an existing friction-driven belt.

Duplex Rod Reinforced Chain Link Belts

Twin intermeshing coils provide a denser carrying surface than a comparable single-coil chain link mesh. Cross rods reinforce the assembly.

• Selection direction: when additional support is required within the chain link family.
• Geometry to review: paired-coil arrangement, openings, cross rods and flexibility around the end rollers.
• Process balance: compare the resulting mesh density and hot loading requirements before substituting it for another construction.

01. Annealing & Bright Annealing

Annealing can soften metal and restore ductility for further processing. Bright annealing combines an appropriate thermal cycle with atmosphere control to help retain the required surface condition.

Typical work: Suitable small metal components, pressed parts and cold-worked pieces that can be handled in a continuous belt furnace.

Belt selection: Review the contact footprint, smallest part dimension and surface requirements. Balanced woven or reinforced chain link mesh may suit adequately supported parts; closer mesh can be considered where small components need more support.

02. Hardening & Quenching Lines

The furnace belt carries suitable steel components through the heating stage before they are transferred to the specified quenching operation.

Typical work: Fasteners and other small steel components processed in continuous hardening equipment.

Belt selection: Assess loading depth, hot-zone support and discharge geometry. Identify the furnace belt separately from any conveyor inside the quench tank; the latter has its own temperature, medium and mechanical requirements.

03. Tempering

Tempering follows hardening to obtain the required balance of hardness and toughness. A continuous belt furnace transports components through the controlled reheating cycle.

Typical work: Hardened fasteners and other small steel parts suitable for belt handling.

Belt selection: Select the mesh for part retention, load and circulation needs. Review the actual operating temperature rather than automatically specifying the same alloy used in the upstream hardening furnace.

04. Stress Relieving

Stress-relieving treatment reduces residual stresses that can cause dimensional changes during later processing or use.

Typical work: Suitable formed, stamped or machined components processed in continuous equipment.

Belt selection: Review how the component rests on the belt and whether fixtures are needed. Include fixture weight in the total load and identify any restrictions on surface contact.

05. Carburizing & Carbonitriding

These case-hardening routes use controlled atmospheres to introduce carbon, or carbon and nitrogen, into suitable steel surfaces before the required hardening sequence.

Typical work: Small steel components such as screws, nuts and bolts in compatible continuous furnace lines.

Belt selection: Select the alloy for the active atmosphere and temperature together. Match openings to the smallest component and review bulk-loading depth, hot loading and the discharge arrangement.

06. Normalizing

Normalizing is used to obtain a more uniform steel microstructure through the specified heating and cooling sequence. Suitable components can be processed in appropriately configured continuous belt furnaces.

Typical work: Steel components whose dimensions, loading and process cycle are compatible with the furnace.

Belt selection: Review hot-zone support and downstream cooling requirements. Select mesh density from the actual component footprint; normalizing does not require one universal weave.

Brazing

Continuous brazing furnaces use mesh belts to carry suitable metal assemblies through the joining cycle. The components may rest directly on the belt or on fixtures.

Belt selection: consider assembly stability, contact area, atmosphere and the possibility of filler metal or process residues contacting the belt. A denser surface can improve support for small assemblies, while trays and fixtures also affect gas access.

Sintering

Suitable powder-metallurgy compacts or components are conveyed through continuous sintering furnaces. The carrying system must support the parts through the required thermal cycle.

Belt selection: review the compact’s support requirements, direct contact versus a carrier, openings, loading and the hot-zone atmosphere. Use the actual required temperature and loading conditions to assess metal-belt suitability.