Belt Conveyor Systems are a reliable, efficient solution for moving products through manufacturing, warehousing, food processing and automation environments. MotionTech designs and manufactures belt conveyors in the UK for businesses that need smooth product handling, accurate belt tracking and dependable long-term performance.
Our belt conveyor systems are engineered to support long conveying distances, consistent product flow and seamless integration into wider conveyor systems and automation projects. Whether transporting packaged goods, raw materials, industrial waste or products through a production line, MotionTech delivers conveyor solutions built for durability, reduced energy consumption and long-term operational reliability.
As part of the wider material handling industry, belt conveyors remain one of the most versatile and widely used conveying methods because they can be configured for straight runs, incline or decline transport, controlled product spacing and automated distribution.
Definition
A belt conveyor is a mechanical handling system that moves products on a continuous loop of belt driven by a motor and pulleys. MotionTech designs and manufactures belt conveyors in the UK, from standard end-driven, under-slung, incline and high speed ranges to bespoke builds for warehousing, packaging, food and manufacturing.
See the full guide: how belt conveyors work and their parts
Select a belt conveyor type to jump to it further down this page. Figures are standard specifications; for higher loads or bespoke lengths, speak to our sales team.
| Belt conveyor type | Drive, belt and layout | Standard load and speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-driven belt conveyor | Drive motor at the end of the conveyor. Low profile, space-saving and straightforward to maintain. Frame: powder coated (standard), aluminium or stainless steel. | Up to 35 kg per zone, up to 110 m/min | General product transport |
| Under-slung driven belt conveyor | Drive motor underneath. Reversible, suited to long straight runs. 2-ply smooth-top PVC belt (grip-face option). | Uniformly distributed load up to 300 kg, lengths up to 15 m | Long runs and heavier loads |
| Incline / decline belt conveyor | Standard angles of 15, 20 and 25 degrees. 2-ply grip-face PVC belt, braked gearmotor fitted as standard. | Uniformly distributed load up to 250 kg | Moving products between heights and multi-level layouts |
| High speed metering belt conveyor | Underslung end-drive, non-reversible, 2-ply ribbed-top PVC belt. Lengths from 500 to 3000 mm. | Up to 50 kg per zone, up to 120 m/min | Spacing, aligning, gapping and indexing products |
MotionTech offers a practical conveyor range of belt conveyor systems designed for different products, layouts and throughput requirements. Our range includes standard and bespoke solutions for general transport, incline handling, high-speed metering and longer straight-line runs.
End-driven belt conveyors are a practical and efficient way to transport a variety of products. With the drive motor located at the end of the conveyor, these systems provide a space-saving design, robust construction and straightforward maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.
Available In:
End-driven belt conveyors are a practical and efficient way to transport a variety of products. With the drive motor located at the end of the conveyor, these systems provide a space-saving design, robust construction and straightforward maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.
Available In:
End-driven belt conveyors are a practical and efficient way to transport a variety of products. With the drive motor located at the end of the conveyor, these systems provide a space-saving design, robust construction and straightforward maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.
Underslung-driven belt conveyors are a versatile and reliable choice for material handling across a wide range of industries. With the drive motor positioned underneath the conveyor, this design is particularly well suited to longer straight-line applications and provides smooth, dependable product movement.
Available In:
Underslung-driven belt conveyors are a versatile and reliable choice for material handling across a wide range of industries. With the drive motor positioned underneath the conveyor, this design is particularly well suited to longer straight-line applications and provides smooth, dependable product movement.
Available In:
Underslung-driven belt conveyors are a versatile and reliable choice for material handling across a wide range of industries. With the drive motor positioned underneath the conveyor, this design is particularly well suited to longer straight-line applications and provides smooth, dependable product movement.
Incline and decline belt conveyors provide an efficient solution for moving products between different heights while maintaining stable and reliable flow. With standard incline and decline angles of 15°, 20° and 25°, these systems are ideal for multi-level layouts and space-conscious production environments.
The central-tensioned belt design supports secure product handling, while optional slave-driven power-feeder and nose-over sections improve transfer performance where required.
Available In:
Incline and decline belt conveyors provide an efficient solution for moving products between different heights while maintaining stable and reliable flow. With standard incline and decline angles of 15°, 20° and 25°, these systems are ideal for multi-level layouts and space-conscious production environments.
The central-tensioned belt design supports secure product handling, while optional slave-driven power-feeder and nose-over sections improve transfer performance where required.
Available In:
Incline and decline belt conveyors provide an efficient solution for moving products between different heights while maintaining stable and reliable flow. With standard incline and decline angles of 15°, 20° and 25°, these systems are ideal for multi-level layouts and space-conscious production environments.
The central-tensioned belt design supports secure product handling, while optional slave-driven power-feeder and nose-over sections improve transfer performance where required.
The high speed metering belt conveyor is designed for accurate product positioning, controlled movement and precision indexing. It is well suited to applications where products need to be spaced, aligned, accelerated, decelerated or reoriented for downstream processes.
This makes it a strong choice for operations that require repeatable, high-speed handling with consistent control.
Available In:
The high speed metering belt conveyor is designed for accurate product positioning, controlled movement and precision indexing. It is well suited to applications where products need to be spaced, aligned, accelerated, decelerated or reoriented for downstream processes.
This makes it a strong choice for operations that require repeatable, high-speed handling with consistent control.
Available In:
The high speed metering belt conveyor is designed for accurate product positioning, controlled movement and precision indexing. It is well suited to applications where products need to be spaced, aligned, accelerated, decelerated or reoriented for downstream processes.
This makes it a strong choice for operations that require repeatable, high-speed handling with consistent control.
MotionTech designs and manufactures belt conveyor systems for manufacturing, warehousing, food processing and automated distribution environments. Our in-house engineering team supports projects from concept and layout design through to manufacture, installation and commissioning, delivering reliable systems with the right belt widths, drive type and frame construction for each application.
A belt conveyor system is a materials handling solution that transports products or materials using a continuous conveyor belt running over rollers and pulleys within a rigid conveyor frame. The belt is driven by a powered drive pulley and supported by idler and return rollers to maintain correct belt tracking and smooth, controlled movement. Power is supplied through a drive unit and motor, allowing accurate control of belt speed, conveying distance, load capacity and overall drive type.
Belt conveyor systems can operate horizontally, on inclines or declines, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial conveying applications. For a broader overview of how different conveyor types work, see what is a conveyor system.
Belt conveyor systems are a popular choice for industrial handling because they provide continuous product support and controlled movement throughout the conveying process.
They are particularly well suited to:
Small, irregular or fragile products
Long conveying distances
Controlled product spacing and throughput
Incline and decline applications
Integration into automated production and handling systems
Picking and sortation system layouts
Automated distribution and packaging operations
Compared with other conveyor types, belt conveyors can offer smoother transport, quieter operation and greater flexibility for a wide range of product types and layouts. In applications where products need different handling characteristics, roller conveyors or pallet conveyor systems may also form part of the overall solution.
Belt conveyor systems operate by transferring power from the motor to the drive pulley, pulling the belt through the system at a controlled speed. Idler rollers and return assemblies support the belt, reduce friction and maintain stable belt tracking.
Key system components include:
Optional features such as belt guides, sensors and pop-out rollers can improve reliability, simplify cleaning and maintenance, and support safe operation.
For more detail, see the components of a belt conveyor and our guide to choosing the right belt conveyors.
A belt conveyor can be configured in a number of ways depending on the product, environment and application. Common options include different belt types, frame materials, pulley arrangements and control features.
Typical conveyor components include:
System specification can also vary by:
For many industrial applications, a flat belt conveyor is the preferred option because it provides even, continuous support. In more specialist applications, a modular belt conveyor, timing belt conveyor or sandwich belt conveyor may be considered depending on product control, orientation or transfer requirements.
Choosing a belt conveyor comes down to the product (size, weight and surface), the required speed and throughput, the operating environment (temperature, hygiene, wet or dry) and whether the run is level or inclined. Together these set the belt material, the frame and the drive.
The belt itself is chosen around the product and the duty cycle. The most common options are:
Fabric belts (PVC and PU): the general-purpose choice for packed goods and light to medium unit loads, hard-wearing and easy to clean.
Rubber belts: suited to heavier, abrasive or bulk materials where grip and durability matter.
Modular plastic belts: interlocking segments that handle curves, inclines and washdown, widely used in food and wet environments.
Wire mesh belts: used where airflow, drainage or high temperatures are involved, such as cooling, drying and oven lines.
The right belt depends on the load, the operating temperature, the hygiene requirements and whether the conveyor runs level or on an incline.
| Belt type | Best for | Typical products | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat belt (slider bed) | Light to medium loads over distance | Cartons, packs, loose items | Smooth continuous surface, quiet, low cost |
| Roller-bed belt | Heavier loads and longer runs | Heavy cartons, totes, sacks | Rollers under the belt cut friction and motor load |
| Modular plastic belt | Washdown, curves, inclines, accumulation | Food, wet or greasy products | Interlocking modules, positive drive, hygienic |
| Cleated / incline belt | Elevation changes and loose product | Components, granules, scrap | Cleats and side walls grip product up inclines |
| Curved belt | Changing direction without a transfer | Cartons, parcels | Holds product orientation around bends |
| Hygienic / washdown belt | Food and pharmaceutical lines | Unpackaged food, pharma items | Stainless frame, PU anti-microbial belt, IP washdown |
Our belt conveyor systems can be built using:
An aluminium frame is often selected where a lightweight, adaptable modular system is required, while stainless steel is often preferred for hygiene-sensitive sectors such as food processing.
Each conveyor frame is engineered for strength, longevity and safe operation while supporting accurate belt tracking and efficient conveying performance. Where layouts require a more tailored approach, MotionTech also provides bespoke conveyor solutions designed around specific product, space and throughput requirements.
MotionTech belt conveyors are used across a wide range of industries and processes, including:
From delicate products to heavy industrial loads, our belt conveyor systems are designed to support consistent throughput, reliable product handling and improved process efficiency. For broader materials handling layouts, belt conveyors often work alongside pallet conveyor systems and other integrated conveyor systems.
Compared with roller conveyors, belt conveyors provide continuous product support, making them ideal for small, irregular or fragile items. Compared with chain or slat conveyors, belt conveyors can offer:
A flat belt conveyor is often the best choice where products need stable support over the full conveying surface. A modular belt conveyor may be more suitable where washdown, drainage or segmented belt construction is needed. The right solution depends on product type, conveying distance, environment and automation requirements.
If you are comparing options across layouts and applications, our main conveyor systems page provides a broader overview.
Our belt conveyor systems can be integrated into wider industrial automation projects, including:
We also support long-term performance through spare parts, service support and ongoing system care to help maximise uptime and operational safety.
MotionTech specialises in bespoke belt conveyor systems, designing solutions around:
From compact modular conveyors to long-distance industrial conveying solutions, every system is engineered to meet the specific needs of the application. Explore our bespoke conveyor solutions to see how we tailor systems to individual operations.
MotionTech delivers belt conveyor systems built around performance, reliability and the practical needs of modern industrial operations.
Unit 3, Charles Park, Cinder Hill Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8RE
0115 975 3300
Sales enquiries: sales@motiontech.co.uk
