Energy efficiency doesn’t start with the replacement of a belt conveyor, but rather with the question of how well the drive technology, motor, and system design are suited to the specific application. Anyone who modernizes their conveyor technology can reduce energy requirements and improve the system’s cost-effectiveness. With the TB30 and TB40 belt conveyors, Montech offers systems that rely on electronically commutated motors, thus combining energy-efficient design with great practicality.
Many companies judge conveyor technology primarily by its function: If the belt runs, it serves its purpose. From a technical point of view, however, this consideration is insufficient because a belt conveyor can run reliably yet be inefficient in terms of energy. Older conveyor lines in particular were often planned under different conditions. Energy prices, CO₂ targets, and efficiency specifications were not as important previously as they are today. At the same time, maintenance costs often increase as the operating time increases: Components wear out, belts have to be readjusted, and spare parts and service work become more complex.
The role of the motor in energy efficiency
A belt conveyor’s energy consumption is significantly influenced by the drive technology used. The most important factor is the motor type: Line-operated electric motors and electronically commutated motors differ in design, controllability, and efficiency. Electronically commutated motors include BLDC motors. Classical three-phase asynchronous motors, on the other hand, can be operated directly from the power grid or via speed control. Depending on the drive concept used, the energy requirement can be reduced for the same conveying task. Electronically commutated motors enable demand-oriented and low-loss power output and can thus minimize energy consumption.
An upgrade reduces energy and maintenance costs
Modern belt conveyors benefit from optimized system design and, depending on the drive technology used, can operate particularly energy-efficiently. Energy consumption is only part of the economy. With older conveyor systems, indirect costs often increase as well. Problems can include more frequent maintenance, readjustments, downtime risks, and an increasing amount of service and spare parts. Upgrading to current conveyor technology can improve these points. State-of-the-art systems work with up-to-date components, are designed more efficiently, and can be better adapted to existing production processes. This not only reduces power consumption but also makes operations more predictable, which is crucial for those responsible for production, as unplanned downtime usually costs significantly more than just maintenance. If a conveyor system is more stable, the risk of process interruptions and consequential costs is reduced.
Montech energy-efficient belt conveyors
For companies that want to reduce their conveyor systems’ energy consumption, Montech belt conveyor lines offer an efficient solution. This Swiss technology company has specialized in the industrialization and standardization of advanced belt conveyors, transfer systems, and framing technology for over 60 years. Its TB30 and TB40 belt conveyors are designed to support conveying processes reliably, accurately, and energy-efficiently. An important factor here is the drive technology using electronically commutated motors, which can offer significant efficiency advantages over conventional line-operated electric motors.
Drive technology for greater energy efficiency
The BLDC motors in Montech’s conveyor belts can achieve up to 25% greater efficiency than line-operated electric motors with the minimum requirement IE2. In the graphical comparison shown with IEC efficiency classes IE1 to IE5, the efficiencies of Montech’s drives exceed the IE5 curve. Montech is thus addressing a crucial point in production: Conveyor technology often runs for many hours a day. The more efficient a belt conveyor’s drive, the greater the energy savings can be over its entire service life.
TB30 and TB40 belt conveyors: Flexible solutions for different conveying tasks
The modular design of Montech’s TB30 belt conveyor makes it suitable for custom requirements in assembly and logistics technology and enables it to adapt to changing needs. This allows conveyor lines to be precisely designed for the process in question. The TB40 belt conveyor, by contrast, is designed to be particularly compact. Its motor is integrated into the drive roller, allowing this belt conveyor to be used in confined spaces. It is powered by a 24 V BLDC motor and can transport loads of up to 200 kilograms.
Energy efficiency as a technical and economic lever
Existing or older belt conveyors are not automatically bad. However, they are often no longer designed to meet today’s energy-efficiency, operational-safety, and cost-optimization standards. Anyone who modernizes existing conveyor technology can reduce energy requirements, reduce maintenance costs, and optimize system availability. With the TB30 belt conveyor featuring a brushless DC motor and the TB40 belt conveyor featuring an integrated 24 V BLDC motor, Montech offers systems that combine efficient design with great practicality. Belt conveyors should therefore not only be considered as a transport solution; they are an active component of energy-efficient and economically stable production.
