In carton packaging production lines, conveyor belts for folding and gluing machines play an essential role in guiding, pulling, and holding carton blanks in position during folding, gluing, and finishing processes. Conveyor belt quality directly affects folding accuracy, glue application, and the machine's ability to operate continuously. This article explores the functions of different belt types, material configurations, common belt options, and key factors to consider before replacement.

What Is a Conveyor Belt for a Folding and Gluing Machine?

A folder gluer consists of several sections, including blank feeding, creasing and folding, glue application, pressing, and stacking. During operation, the machine uses upper and lower belts to grip, guide, and transport carton blanks through each processing stage.

The conveyor belts perform several key functions:

  • Feed carton blanks continuously and keep them stable during transportation.
  • Guide blanks accurately through the folding and gluing sections.
  • Maintain folding alignment and minimize slipping or misalignment.
  • Hold glued joints in position during pressing, then transport finished cartons to the counting and stacking section.

Applications of Conveyor Belts in Automatic Carton Gluing Machines

  • Carton blank feeding: Rough-surface PVC belts create friction to pull carton sheets into the machine while maintaining continuous movement and reducing slippage.
  • Guiding during folding: Red-edged cotton belts help pull and guide paper through the folding units, keeping blanks moving steadily along the machine's mechanism.
  • Transportation through the gluing section: Conveyor belts move folded cartons to the glue application, pressing, and bonding sections.
  • Finished carton transfer: Roller conveyors or chain conveyors receive processed cartons and transport them to inspection, packaging, and strapping areas.

Common Types of Conveyor Belts for Folding and Gluing Machines

In automatic folding and gluing machines, belts and conveyors pull paper blanks, guide carton sheets, and transport products through folding, gluing, and pressing stages. Depending on the machine design and installation position, different belt types or conveyor systems may be used. The following are some commonly used options in carton packaging production.

Rough-Surface PVC Conveyor Belts

Rough-surface PVC conveyor belts feature a textured surface that contacts the carton to create friction and pull the product forward. The opposite side has a smooth fabric backing fitted with V or K guide profiles. During operation, these profiles run inside grooves on the drive roller and guide rollers, helping the belt follow the correct path, reducing belt misalignment, and maintaining stable pulling force.

The rough or studded surface increases friction with carton sheets, helping pull and hold products in position as they pass through rollers, folding units, and gluing sections. Compared with PU belts, rough-surface PVC belts are also widely used because of their reasonable cost and suitable performance for carton handling.

Key advantages of rough-surface PVC conveyor belts:

  • Improved grip: The textured surface provides good friction, helping pull cartons while reducing slippage.
  • Stable carton handling: Minimizes shifting and misalignment during transportation.
  • Suitable durability: Supports frequent operation when the correct belt specifications are selected.
  • Easy replacement: Can be fabricated to match the dimensions of different machine models.
  • Multiple configurations: Available with different textured surfaces and V- or K-shaped guide profiles.

Common dimensions:

Semi-automatic carton sealing machines such as FXJ6050, FXJ4030, FX50, and FX-AT5050 commonly use rough-surface PVC belts approximately 5 mm thick. Typical specifications include:

  • Length: 1,335 mm, 1,350 mm, 1,364 mm, 2,600 mm, etc.
  • Width: 25 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm.

After extended use, rough-surface PVC belts may become worn or stretched, or their V8/V10 and K8/K10 guide profiles may peel off. These issues reduce friction and can cause slipping or belt misalignment. Regular inspection and timely replacement are therefore necessary. When selecting a replacement belt, check its dimensions, surface texture, and guide profile against the original belt or the machine specifications.

PU Conveyor Belts

PU conveyor belts are used in certain folding and gluing machines that have specific requirements for belt materials and contact surfaces. Compared with PVC, PU has different material properties and may be suitable for positions where the belt comes into direct contact with paper blanks or finished cartons.

Key features to consider when using PU belts:

  • Suitable contact surfaces: Different surface finishes can be selected to meet transportation requirements and minimize potential effects on paper and carton surfaces.
  • Flexibility: Depending on belt thickness and construction, PU belts can accommodate installation positions involving smaller pulley diameters.
  • Easy cleaning: Some PU belt types have surfaces that are easier to clean when exposed to paper dust and adhesive residue.
  • Custom fabrication: Belt length, width, and joining methods can be selected to match the machine structure.

PU belts are often considered for blank-feeding and carton-transport sections when their material properties meet the operating requirements. Selection should take into account load, operating speed, pulley diameter, and the required friction level.

Cotton Drive Belts

Cotton drive belts are used in certain transmission and paper-feeding sections of folding and gluing machines. Their surface provides a certain level of friction, helping pull paper blanks through folding mechanisms and maintain continuous feeding.

Key features of cotton drive belts include:

  • Suitable friction: Supports contact and paper feeding while minimizing slippage when properly installed and tensioned.
  • Flexible operation: Can be used in drive assemblies and positions requiring continuous paper feeding.
  • Various specifications: Available in different widths, lengths, and constructions to suit individual machine models.
  • Specialized applications: Commonly found in carton folding machines, gluing machines, and other paper packaging equipment.

When replacing cotton belts, check their dimensions, thickness, friction characteristics, and installation method to ensure compatibility with the machine's paper-feeding mechanism.

Red-Edged Cotton Conveyor Belts

Red-edged cotton conveyor belts are used in folding machines, edge-folding machines, and certain carton packaging equipment. The belt has a cotton fabric body with red edges, making it easier to identify during installation and maintenance. Its surface provides suitable friction for stable power transmission, helping reduce slippage, vibration, and operating noise.

Key advantages:

  • Stable transmission: Supports accurate paper feeding and guiding while minimizing slippage.
  • Quiet operation: Helps reduce vibration and noise during machine operation.
  • Abrasion resistance: Suitable for frequent use under appropriate operating conditions.
  • Easy identification: Red edges make the belt easier to distinguish during inspection and maintenance.
  • Reduced dust buildup: The fabric surface is suitable for certain paper and packaging processing environments.

Applications: Red-edged cotton belts are commonly installed in edge-folding machines, carton folding machines, carton gluing machines, edge-sewing machines, and certain industrial transmission systems. When replacing a belt, check its width, length, thickness, and construction to ensure compatibility with the machine.

Roller Conveyors

Roller conveyors are commonly installed at the infeed or outfeed of folding and gluing machines to transport cartons and semi-finished products between processing stages. Unlike belts that directly pull paper blanks inside the machine, roller conveyors mainly handle product receiving and transfer.

Depending on operating requirements, two common types are available:

  • Gravity roller conveyors: Products move through manual pushing or gravity on an inclined conveyor. Their relatively simple construction makes them suitable for short-distance transfer.
  • Powered roller conveyors: Use a motor and transmission mechanism to move cartons automatically, making them suitable for production lines requiring continuous transportation.
  • Custom conveyor dimensions: Conveyor length, width, roller diameter, and roller spacing can be adjusted to suit carton dimensions and weight.

Belota - Supplier of Conveyor Belts for Folding and Gluing Machines

Belota supplies a range of belts and conveyor systems for folding machines, carton gluing machines, and carton packaging production lines. Products are available in various materials, surface finishes, and custom specifications to support replacement and maintenance requirements for different machine models.

The following machine models can be used as references when selecting replacement belts:

  • Semi-automatic carton sealing machines: FXJ6050, FXJ4030, FX50, FX-AT5050.
  • Folding and gluing machines: ZH-880CT, ZH-880FT, ZH-880PFT.
  • Automatic carton folding machines: SHH-800, SHH-800A, GDHH-800, GDHH1200.
  • Semi-automatic carton gluing machines: BF-2460, SG-2460.

Belota can fabricate belts based on actual dimensions and construction requirements to suit different machine models. Its product range includes rough-surface PVC belts, PU conveyor belts, cotton drive belts, and red-edged cotton belts for carton feeding, guiding, and transportation sections.

When receiving an inquiry, Belota supports customers in checking the specifications of existing belts, including length, width, thickness, surface finish, and guide profile. Customers can provide a sample belt, photos of the installation position, or the machine model to receive advice on suitable replacement specifications.

Conclusion

Choosing the right conveyor belt for folding and gluing machines helps maintain stable carton feeding, reduce slippage and misalignment, and support efficient production. Belota supplies and fabricates PVC, PU, cotton, and red-edged cotton belts to match machine specifications, supporting businesses with belt replacement and maintenance. Contact Belota for suitable conveyor belt solutions for carton packaging applications, helping minimize machine downtime and maintain stable production.