ElectroStatic Dissipative (ESD) and AntiStatic (AS) Conveyor belts
Most conveyor belts are made of certain polymers with high surface resistance. This provides certain insulation that does not allow electrostatic charge and discharge. Those belts are called insulated or conductive if they have a surface resistance (resistivity factor) higher than 1012 ohm/sqm. The issue with such belts is that the discharge of static build-up electricity during the conveying may damage the conveyed products or may even cause other damages during the manufacturing process. Conveyor belts used in certain applications may not be charged electrostatically.
To solve this issue Volta has produced special belt materials that has a low resistivity factor allowing discharging static build-up through grounding.
Low-Resistance Range from Volta
Volta ESD – ElectroStatic Dissipatív:
With a resistivity factor of only 108 ohm/sqm, the Volta ESD materials provide the highest anti-static protection available. ESD is useful in processes that are particularly sensitive to electrostatic discharge (manufacturing electronic components). To achieve the desired technical performance these belts are formed through mechanical or die-cut baking.
Volta AS – AntiStatic conveyor-belts with a resistance below 1010 ohm/sqm.
The AS belts are able to conveniently discharge electrostatic build-up through the ground.
The installment of both ESD and AS conveyor belts do not require any special equipment.
Volta's built-in resistance:
The electrical resistivity of a conveyor belt is measured only on the surface, Volta's materials achieve the required electrostatic resistance because of the low resistance of the base material throughout the belt, so both on the surface and inside the belt.
Other belt manufacturers use coatings, surface treatments, or other solutions that may be damaged within a short period of time and may even contaminate the conveyed product. Although these alternative options might be cheaper it must be noted that these belts may lose their resistance during cleaning or when they are covered with special coatings. ESD / AS conveyor belts from other manufacturers may lose the anti-static feature due to weather and humidity changes.
Volta ESD and AS conveyor belts are successfully used in manufacturing electronic components but also operate on other applications as these abrasive-resistant belts provide lower maintenance costs and less waste during manufacturing.