Balanced Spiral Woven

Balanced Spiral mesh features a simple yet effective design, constructed from alternating left and right hand spiral coils. These coils are held in place by interconnecting crimp rods which run through the width of the belt. The edges of the belt can be supplied either welded or with a knuckled selvedge.

Balanced Spiral gains its excellent tracking properties by employing an alternating pattern which prevents the belt from pulling to one side. Lateral movement within the belt is reduced by the use of specially crimped rods which hold each spiral coil in place.

Balanced Spiral is most commonly supplied as friction-drive belt; however certain meshes can be supplied as Positive-Drive, allowing sprockets to engage with the belts mesh. Alternatively, we can supply Balanced Spiral with chain edges for high load applications.

Cross-Flights and Side Plates are available for inclined applications or product separation requirements. Wire Belt Company also supplies Double Balanced Spiral belting, for applications with particularly high load and/or for products which require a narrower aperture than is possible with standard balanced spiral belts.

Other Specialised Belt Style Applications:

• Lehr Belts for Glass Annealing
• Swarf Filter Belts
• Loose link and Ferrule chain edge for Cryogenic Freezers

Belt Types

Standard Balanced Spiral (BS)

The assembly consists of alternating left and right hand coils with each coil interconnecting with the next by means of a crimped cross wire.

For measuring and enquiry details click here.
For method of belt code identification click here.

Double Balanced Spiral (DBS)

The double balanced assembly is similar to standard balanced spiral but uses coil pairs of each handing intermeshing and then link by means of the crimped cross wire with pairs of intermeshing opposite hand coils on a repeat pattern down the length. This style allows for closer pitching of coils across the width for small product handling.

For measuring and enquiry details click here.

Improved Balanced Spiral (IBS)

The structure of this belt is similar to “Standard Balanced Spiral” but uses a straight cross wire with single interconnecting coils in a repeat pattern of left hand/right hand down the length. This assembly allows for a closer pitching of single coils across the width for small product handling.
For measuring and enquiry details click here.

For method of belt code identification click here

Improved Double Balanced Spiral (IDBS)

The structure of this belt is similar to “Double Balanced Spiral” but uses a straight cross wire with double intermeshing coils of each handing interconnecting by means of the straight cross wire in a repeat pattern of left hand/right hand coils down the length. This assembly allows for a closer pitching of coils across the width for small product handling.

For measuring and enquiry details click here.

Flat Wire alternatives

In general all of the above styles are available with coil wires manufactured using a flattened wire. When identifying the coil wire it is important to confirm the cross section dimensions.

Edge Availability

Welded Edge (W) – mesh only

This is the most common and economical edge finish.  With welding together of both the coil and crimp wires there are not cut wire ends.

Laddered Edge (LD) – mesh only

Less common than the welded edge the laddered edge is often used where welds are not desirable for the application.  It is also an option in applications where welding facilities are not available.  The belt edge is also smooth and allows more belt edge flexibility.  It is also more efficient in high temperature applications as the laddered edge is not under operational strain in use and therefore less prone to fracture.  Generally this edge finish is only available for meshes with a relatively large crimp wire pitch down the length.

Hook Edge (U) – mesh only

Also less common than the welded edge type the hook edge is often used where welds are not desirable for the application.  It is also an option in applications where welding facilities are not available.  The belt edge is also smooth and allows more belt edge flexibility.  Generally this edge finish is only available for meshes with a relatively large crimp wire pitch down the length.

Chain Edge Driven Mesh

Along with the above mesh edge finishes these meshes can be driven by side chains using cross rods which are located through the mesh coils and then through chains at the edges of the mesh.  The types of cross rod finish at the exterior of the side chain are as follows:

With welded washer

This is the most common and economical style of finish to a chain edge belt and comprises of a central mesh carried through the system by means of edge chains with carrier cross rods through both mesh and edge chains.  The cross rods are finished at the outside chain edges with a welded washer

With Cotter Pin & Washer

Although less economical this type of assembly allows the customer or service personnel the ability to replace the edge drive chains when the mesh and rods are still serviceable.  The assembly comprises of a central mesh carried through the system by means of edge chains with carrier cross rods through both mesh and edge chains.  The cross rods are finished at the outside with a drilled hole to allow the fitment of a washer & cotter pin.  It also allows the repair replacement of sections of belt without the need to grind off rod heads and weld back together.

NB: For greater width stability of rods to chain it is the norm, where possible, to supply the cross rods turned down to go through the edge chains.

Various other styles of chain edge finish include:-

• Cross rod welded flush to the hollow pin of the side chain.  This is not a preferred standard but may be necessary where width between conveyor side frames and other structural parts create a limitation where “welded washer” or “washer & cotter pin” cannot be used.
• Cross rod welded flush through drilled hole on inner plates of roller conveyor chain.

In general the chain edge driven belts as shown above are available with 2 styles of edge chain:

Transmission Chain

Transmission chain has a small roller.  The chain edge can be supported either on the chain side plates or by means of a profiled rail to go between the side plates and support on the roller or alternatively without support where the mesh is supported close to the edge.

Conveyor Roller Chain

Conveyor Roller Chain has a large roller.  The chain edge can then be supported on a flat angle edge wear strip with the chain roller rotating freely along the conveyor length.

Click here to access the ‘Balanced Spiral Mesh’ only enquiry form

Click here to access the ‘Transmission Chain Edge with Balanced Spiral Mesh’ enquiry form

Click here to access the ‘Conveyor Roller Chain Edge with Balanced Spiral Mesh’ enquiry form

If you are proposing a ‘new conveyor application’ then click here to access the enquiry form.

Methods of drive

Friction Driven

The most common form of drive is the plain steel parallel roller system.  This system depends on the frictional contact between the belt and roller to ensure drive of the belt.  Variations of this drive type include the lagging of the roller with such materials as rubber, friction brake lining (for high temperature), etc.  The use of such friction lagging materials allow for the operational drive tension in the belt to be reduced,  thus increasing the useful life of the belt.

For more ‘Friction Driven Conveyor Circuit Design Guidelines’ click here

Positive Drive (PD)

The use of specially manufactured sprockets which engage in the mesh of the belt ensures that the belt can be positively driven with the minimum of belt tension and stop belt “Track Off”.  This range of belts is only available in the standard format of “Balanced Spiral” beltings. Click here for the full range of mesh specifications suitable for positive mesh drive

Chain Edge Drive

With this assembly of belt the cross pitch of the belt mesh is manufactured to ensure that the chain edge is the driving medium with the belt mesh being pulled through the circuit by the chains.

Click here for Belt Installation Guidelines

Click here for Belt Tracking Information

Positive Drive Belt Specifications

For Drive & Idle Shaft Set-up details click here.

All specifications are supplied with welded edge only.

Other Specialised Belt Style Applications:

• Lehr Belts for Glass Annealing
• Swarf Filter Belts
• Loose link and Ferrule chain edge for Cryogenic Freezers

Standard Material Availability (Mesh Only)

NB: Before making a selection for high temperature applications consult with Technical Sales for the most suitable wire grade for the application as wire strength reduces at elevated temperatures.