How a Curved belt conveyor Works

A curved belt conveyor changes the direction of material transport without any adverse effect on the goods being conveyed. This is achieved through a combination of tapered rollers, specialized belting, and precisely engineered idler arrangements that maintain belt tracking and material stability throughout the curve.

The system can transport both bulk materials and piece goods (individual items), making it versatile for a wide range of industrial applications. Curved conveyors eliminate the need for multiple transfer points, reducing material degradation, dust generation, and maintenance requirements.

System Configuration

Key Design Features

Direction change without transfer points
The curved conveyor changes the direction of material flow in a single continuous path, eliminating the need for additional transfer towers or chutes. This reduces material degradation and dust emissions while lowering infrastructure costs.

Versatile material handling
Capable of transporting both bulk materials (coal, ore, aggregates) and piece goods (packaged products, components), making it suitable for mining, industrial, and logistics applications.

Space optimization
By following natural terrain or plant boundaries, curved conveyors reduce the need for extensive straight-line corridors, saving valuable space in congested sites.

Long-distance capability
ZOOMRY specializes in long-distance overland conveyor systems from 2 to 70 km, with proven EPC and management & operation project experience in China and overseas markets.

Technical Reference Data

Belt Width & Pulley Diameter Reference

Width (mm)	Max Roller Diameter (mm)	Max Drive Pulley Diameter (mm)	Max Reversing Pulley Diameter (mm)
400	89	400	315
500	89	500	400
650	108	630	500
800	133	1250	1000
1000	159	1250	1000
1200	159	1600	1250
1400	159	1600	1250
1600	194	1600	1250
1800	194	1600	1250
2000	194	1800	1400
2200	194	1800	1400
2400	219	1800	1400

Conveying Capacity Reference — Belt Speed 0.8 – 2.0 m/s (m³/h)

Width (mm)	0.8 m/s	1.0 m/s	1.3 m/s	1.6 m/s	2.0 m/s
400	41	51	64	82	103
500	69	87	108	139	174
650	127	159	198	254	318
800	199	248	310	398	497
1000	324	405	507	649	811
1200	—	594	742	951	1188
1400	—	825	1032	1321	1651
1600	—	—	—	—	2185
1800	—	—	—	—	2795
2000	—	—	—	—	3467
2200	—	—	—	—	—
2400	—	—	—	—	—

Conveying Capacity Reference — Belt Speed 2.5 – 6.5 m/s (m³/h)

Width (mm)	2.5 m/s	3.2 m/s	4.0 m/s	5.0 m/s	6.5 m/s
400	—	—	—	—	—
500	217	—	—	—	—
650	397	—	—	—	—
800	621	786	—	—	—
1000	1014	1278	1622	—	—
1200	1485	1872	2377	2971	—
1400	2064	2601	3303	4129	—
1600	2732	3442	4371	5464	—
1800	3493	4402	5590	6987	9083
2000	4334	5461	6935	8668	11277
2200	—	6841	8687	10859	14120
2400	—	8286	10522	13152	17104

Detail Components

Optional Safety Components

Belt Sway Switch
Detects belt deviation and triggers an alarm or system shutdown. Installed in pairs to prevent edge damage and safety hazards.

Pull Cord Switch
Emergency stop device activated by pulling a wire rope. Arranged along the entire conveyor length — available in single-sided or double-sided configurations.

Zero Speed Switch
Monitors belt or drum speed to detect slippage caused by overload, insufficient tension, or worn drive roller lagging.

About the Manufacturer

ZOOMRY specializes in long-distance overland conveyor systems from 2 to 70 km, with extensive experience in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) as well as management and operation projects in China. The company holds ISO 9001 quality certification, ISO 14001 environmental certification, CE certification for the European market, and EAC certification for Russia. Our commitment is to help customers lower production costs, increase productivity, and lessen environmental impacts through reliable, efficient conveyor solutions.

Application & Project References

Case 1: Brazil Steel Raw Material Plant

Material: Coal  | Capacity: 2 × 5,000 t/d  | Angle: 31°  | Belt width: 1,000 mm

Case 2: Philippines Power Plant (2018)

System: Belt conveyor system  | Capacity: 4 × 1,800 t/h  | Belt width: 1,200 mm

Frequently Asked Questions About Curved Belt Conveyors

What is a curved belt conveyor?

A curved belt conveyor (also called a round conveyor or corner conveyor) is a conveyor system designed to change the direction of material transport — typically at angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, or 180° — without affecting the goods being conveyed. It is used in applications where straight-line conveying is not feasible due to space constraints or terrain.

What is the minimum curve radius for a curved belt conveyor?

The minimum horizontal curve radius is typically 300 times the belt width. For example, a 1,000 mm wide belt can navigate a curve with a radius of approximately 300 meters. Smaller radii may be possible with specialized belting and idler configurations.

Can a curved conveyor transport bulk materials and piece goods?

Yes. Curved belt conveyors can transport both bulk materials (coal, ore, aggregates, grain) and individual piece goods (packaged products, components, boxes). The versatility makes them suitable for mining, industrial, logistics, and manufacturing applications.

What is the maximum conveying distance for a curved belt conveyor system?

ZOOMRY specializes in long-distance overland conveyor systems ranging from 2 to 70 km. These systems can incorporate multiple horizontal and vertical curves while maintaining efficient material transport, with booster drives and intermediate tensioning stations as required.

What standards do ZOOMRY curved belt conveyors comply with?

ZOOMRY curved belt conveyors are designed and manufactured in compliance with ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental), CE (European market), and EAC (Russian market) standards. Additional standards such as CEMA, DIN, and GB/T can be accommodated per project requirements.

What after-sales support does ZOOMRY provide for curved belt conveyors?

ZOOMRY offers comprehensive after-sales support including installation guidance, complete drawings and instruction manuals, on-site technical support by dispatched engineers, and a 2-year warranty on the machine with 50,000-hour warranty on rollers. Global service networks cover Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and South Africa.

Video: Curved Belt Conveyor System

On-Site Vulcanizing Service

For long-distance curved belt conveyor installations, on-site belt vulcanizing is often required to ensure a seamless, durable splice. ZOOMRY supplies vulcanizing machines and offers on-site technical support. See our Conveyor Belt vulcanizing page for a detailed step-by-step guide.