Plastic Modular Belt Conveyors from mk: MBF-P 2040 Conveyors

Plastic Modular Belt Conveyors from mk: MBF-P 2040 Conveyors

The MBF-P 2040 conveyor is a plastic modular belt conveyor. The belt is constructed out of plastic bricks that are hinged together with plastic rods. But what are the advantages to this belt style?

Flat belts rely on the friction between the underside of the belt and the conveyor rollers in order to drive the system, whereas plastic modular belt (MBF) conveyors are positively driven. These drives are similar to a chain conveyor drive; the drive rolls on the MBF are a series of sprockets that interlock with the underside of the belt. This positive drive results in less belt maintenance (reduced time tracking and tensioning) and increased load carrying capacity. Furthermore, the standard flat belting size restrictions are eliminated. Gone is the need for the conveyor length to be 2 times the width. In fact, these conveyors can be sized square and wider than the length. Conveyor widths up to 10 feet are available, and virtually any width is possible – no standard widths to select from either.

The MBF belts are available in a wide variety of plastics and finishes; some to allow better accumulation, others for more friction. Mesh style belts for air flow and product cooling are available, as well as cleats for incline conveying. 

The average price of a MBF-P 2040 is 47% more expensive than a GUF-P 2000 (less for smaller conveyors and more for larger ones). But with this 47% additional cost you are able to realize savings in the operating and maintenance costs.  MBF conveyors boost quicker and easier belt changes compared to flat belts. And, when a flat belt is damaged it necessitates replacing the entire belt. On a MBF conveyor you only need to replace the damaged section (or cleat). And should the entire belt need to be replaced there is no need to remove stands and side rails; simply lace the new belt into place and push the pin in.

The MBF belts shown in our catalog are those offered by Maschinenbau Kitz in Germany. The belts we typically use in North America are those supplied by Intralox in their 900 series. However, we can accommodate customer requests to use other Intralox series belts as well as belts by other manufacturers.