An Overview of Agriculture in North America 2014: Part 2

What to Expect from the 2014 Harvest in North America

In our last blog, we looked at the current state of agriculture in North America—and the takeaway was thanks to both harsh weather and lower prices, things remain in flux. To try to bring some clarity to the situation, we want to fill you in on what we can expect from the 2014 North American harvest.

·         As of April 2014, the USDA reported that 19 percent of U.S. crops have been planted, but it varies from state to state. For example, Missouri farmers are at 47 percent while Iowa’s are only at 15 percent. There is a chance that planters will fall farther behind thanks to wet weather, but historically, the later a crop is planted, the less likely it will end up robust.

·         In what is a vicious cycle, if commodity prices remain low, then farmers will plant fewer acres. This in turn will lower the yield, but then futures prices will rise; this seems to be what 2014 will produce.

·         As anyone knows from watching their local weather report, it is next to impossible to predict the future. Despite this inherent difficulty, some believe we might be in for a wild ride this summer. This includes the possibility of a major El Nino that would bring North America a mix of unpredictable weather.

·         Finally, there is the level of farm equipment sales. After a robust 2013, experts are expecting sales to be flat or lower in 2014.

In the end, it is difficult to predict a harvest this far out, but we hope that this blog is of some help in decoding what to expect from the 2014 harvest in North America. For more information on our conveyor belt solutions for agriculture, head over to our website.

An Overview of Agriculture in North America 2014: Part 1

The Current State of Agriculture in North America

People who make their living in the agricultural field know one thing is certain: No two years are ever exactly alike because the number of factors that define a year’s planting and harvest season is overwhelming. 

Because our conveyor belting solutions are prominently used in North American agriculture, we wanted to breakdown the state of the industry and harvest in a two-part blog series. To begin, let’s get a feel for where agriculture is at a few months into 2014. Below, we’ve broken down the industry by factors and topics.

Weather

This past winter was one for the record books. In the western parts of North America, drought conditions ruled the day. Currently, 100 percent of California is suffering from some level of drought, but conversely, much of the rest of North America was slammed by an extended and harsh winter that saw both record snowfall and unmatched low temperatures. As you might imagine, any type of extreme weather condition will directly impact both planting and fieldwork.

Crop Progress and Condition

As we mentioned before, no two years are alike, and this is also the case when it comes to states and regions. One helpful tool, at least for the U.S., is the USDA’s State Crop Progress and Condition website. This site allows you to get detailed reports on the current and past crop reports.

Current Prices and Equipment Sales

Though prices are currently lower than last year, the numbers coming in show that projected acres planted are significantly lower in corn and soybean. This is something to keep an eye on because it might shock prices down the road. The same goes for equipment sales as they are directly linked to prices and planting levels.

Overall, the current state of agriculture in North America is one of wait-and-see. Will prices stay low? Will the uneasy weather continue into the summer months? In our next blog, we look to answer these questions by taking a closer look at what the experts believe we can expect from the harvest season of 2014.

Conveyor Belts and North America’s Marine Industry

Making a living on the open waters in and around North America is demanding and dangerous work. Any equipment or technical advances that can reduce risk and wasted effort makes the lives of everyone involved easier.

At The Furnace Belt Company, we have a long history of manufacturing custom metal conveyor belts specifically for the marine and fishing industries. You might be wondering how conveyor belts play a role in the marine sector. A perfect example of this synergy is the shrimping industry.

Recently, the North American shrimping has been booming. Demand and prices for all types of shrimp products has skyrocketed over the past year. Of course, these shrimp do not just jump into the boat they need to be carefully harvested. To do this, shrimpers use a wide variety of pots and nets to capture the shrimp and bring them on to the boat. It is at this point in the process that high-quality conveyor belts are critical.

Due to the varying size of the shrimp, they need to be sorted and stored into different sections of the boat. While this complicated task was and still can be accomplished by hand, modern conveyor technology makes it easier and more accurate. Any time that can be cut from processing only adds to the amount of time shrimpers can stay on the water.  This also goes for all different types of fishing all across the world. The use of conveyor belts is without a doubt the present and future of the entire industry.

We not only take great pride in supporting such a critical North American industry, but also helping streamline and modernize it so that it can survive and thrive throughout the 21st century. If you want to learn more about the role of conveyor belts in the North America’s marine industry, please contact us today.

5 Important Packaging Trends for 2014

Across the board, 2013 was a great year for the global packaging industry. According to the latest numbers, the market brought in a staggering $709 billion in 2013, and it is expected to be worth close to a trillion dollars by 2018.

Of course, to get consumers come back and buy packaged goods, the industry must find a way to stay fresh and up-to-date. So, what new ideas and trends are driving this ever-growing industry? There are quite a few, but five standout to us.

Sustainable Packaging

Going “green” is a popular trend in almost every aspect of modern life. In the packaging industry, it is all about sustainability. The sustainable packaging market will be worth close to $244 billion by 2018, according to a new study from Smithers Pira. This includes reducing size and weight, while increasing recycled content.

Millennials Love Packaging

It turns out that 18-34 year-olds are more influenced by high-end packaging than other generations. In fact, a study shows that Millennials are less brand conscious and more attached to the experience.

Flexible Packaging

More companies and manufacturers are moving from rigid to flexible packaging. The market should grow 3.5 percent annually over the next five years, hitting $231 billion by 2018.

Nano Packaging

Everything is getting smaller, so it is no shock that packaging is also heading in that direction. Nano packaging brought in $20 billion in 2013 and should grow leaps and bounds as it becomes more feasible and affordable. Nano packaging is not only better for the environment but also protects products from spoilage and tampering.

Better Design

Design is always important, but it seems that it has become more critical than ever. While amazing fonts, rebranding, and “hipness” don’t keep products safer, the do drive sales, especially with the aforementioned Millennials.

These are just a few of the important packaging trends for 2014 and beyond, but we think they the ones you need to keep an eye on! 

Frozen Foods and Furnace Belt: A Perfect Match

Since their invention in 1924, frozen foods have fed the harried men, women, and children of America—they offer an unbeatable combination of freshness and expedience. In fact, some experts believe that frozen vegetables are more nutrient-rich than raw.

Because of their popularity, the American frozen food industry earns $28 billion in revenue a year and employees more than 90,000 workers. As one might imagine, an industry this massive in size and importance, demands the most innovative equipment to operate at peak performance—and this is where Furnace Belt fits in.

We recently discussed our work in the food processing industry, but this month (maybe because the cold weather is a reminder) we wanted to talk specifically about frozen foods. At Furnace Belt, we do not freeze the food you find in your supermarket—but we do make the process possible. We supply the wire mesh beltings that are perfect for low temperature conveying that is at the heart of the frozen food processing industry. Both our round and flat wire beltings come in a wide variety of weaves, sizes, and metals.

In addition to our outstanding selection, Furnace Belt offers something more: outstanding customer service. The experts at Furnace Belt have worked closely with the biggest names in the frozen food industry since our company’s inception, so we will never allow you to buy a product that does not perfectly fit your needs.

If you need the perfect conveyor belt solution for your frozen food business, then don’t waste time and money—contact an expert at Furnace Belt today. 

Supporting American Made Manufacturing

For those looking to support American made manufacturing, you’ve come to the right place. Furnace Belt is a provider of conveyor belting solutions, but we’re also big supporters of the “Made in the USA” movement—and we’re not alone.

After celebrating October as National Manufacturing Month, we jumped in to celebrate November’s American Made Matters Day on Nov. 19. This event is hosted by the American Made Matters mission, anyone across the country can join in by making the commitment to purchase products that are made in the U.S. through the holiday shopping season. Buying goods made in our own company supports companies, industries, and the people who make them run. While all aspects of the economy can benefit, we’re pushing toward awareness for the manufacturing industry.

According to an American Made Matters press release, every dollar invested in American-made products pushes an additional $1.35 into the economy, which is astounding. Considering the manufacturing industry boasts some of the biggest contracts within the economy, making those investments creates a huge return—and a ripple effect.

For Furnace Belt, making our weaves and wires in the U.S. is crucial. Not only does this save money on shipping and many other costs, but it’s important to our business to invest in the industry and future generations of American manufacturers. We’re committed to building a solid future for the industry and economy, and if you’re looking for more information about our American made initiatives and products, check out our website.

The Importance of Conveyor Belt Weave Size

Balanced Weave Belting

In a previous blog, we discussed how conveyor belts are suited to each processing job—primarily emphasizing the importance of picking the correct weave material. Choosing the incorrect material can damage the product, regardless of whether it is food, steel, or plastic, but we want to highlight something equally as important: weave size.

At Furnace Belt, we research our customers’ products, calculate the best fit, and present our findings. Product size isn’t the standard issue for the products on our belts because we offer a plenty of wire belting solutions, some with more open weaves and some with closed weaves. For example, if the parts on the conveyor belts are small screws, it wouldn’t be wise to use a heavy-duty flat wire belting because the product would fall through… one of our round wire beltings might be more appropriate.

But it’s not just about the size of the weave—we also calculate how the different air flow affects the product and how the belt’s heat absorption factors in. We don’t want to over- or under-compensate, so we make very precise measurements.

Regardless of what you’re manufacturing, our range of conveyor belts are custom crafted for every application, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 1-800-354-7213 or check out our website for more information.

How the Moving Assembly Line Revolutionized the Conveyor Belt

At the beginning of the 20th century, the car's business model wasn't completely effective. Most cars were considered a luxury many could not afford to spend the time or money on.  In order to create "a motor car for the great multitude," Henry Ford realized new innovations were necessary—and so the assembly line was born.

Utilizing four principles (interchangeable parts, continuous flow, division of labor, and reducing wasted effort), the factories began mass produce car parts. To increase workflow, the conveyor belt, a product developed a few years prior was incorporated into production. This process revolutionized the automotive industry and sparked a new relationship between the warehouse and conveyor belting.

Now, in the 100th anniversary year of the moving assembly line, it's safe to say this process put the world on wheels. Car and Driver's piece on the development of this process highlights how the production numbers greatly increased as prices went down—and eventually, the world was on the road.


The conveyor belt assembly line is used in a number of industries, from mining to food processing. As manufacturers of conveyor belting and conveyor belt solutions, we’re proud to work in an industry that has caused so much growth, employment and innovation. For more information on our wire belting and other products, check out our website.

How Conveyor Belts Are Suited to Each Food Processing Job

Conveyor belts and the food industry have a great relationship. It seems whenever a news station or television show gets access to a factory, hundreds of products zoom through production on a lightning-fast conveyor belt. Regardless of whether a company is producing boxes of crackers or moving fruit down a line, there’s a conveyor belt for every job.

The important part of this process is to tailor each specific belt to the product. Although it doesn’t always matter what weave is used, the metal is key. Our belts are available in carbon, galvanized, and stainless steel, and each is tailored to the specific food product and temperature.

For example, 304 stainless steel—one of the most versatile and popular forms of stainless steel—is standard for frozen foods. Surprisingly, on the other end of the temperature spectrum, most food applications in frying also use the 304 grade. This specific grade is made up of classic 18/8 stainless steel, and it’s the most common among manufacturers because it can be readily formed and has superior welding and forming capabilities.

Say a company made the mistake of using an incorrect material for their product, the processed food could be compromised and the belt could have major corrosion issues. The mechanical properties in these belts are very delicate and suited to each customer’s need, which is why there’s no reason to look elsewhere—for a trusted source of conveyor belting, head over to our website.

How Can Conveyor Belts Increase Mining ROI?

Canada’s mining industry is strong. The Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange makeup 58 percent of the world’s public mining companies, and Canada ranks in the top five in producing nickel, platinum, aluminum, diamonds, and many other resources.

There’s always room for improvement. If your technique is slowing down the process, it doesn’t matter what minerals you’re mining or how well the industry itself is doing. Although there are many ways to mine a product, don’t you want to know the best way to add to existing capacities while increasing the return on investment?

Here’s an example of how to boost production: Say your company uses a slope—most are rectangular with a wide span for the floor and roof—to remove goods because drilling directly down isn’t an option. You notice it’s increasingly tedious to bring mined goods up to ground level, and you’re looking for a solution. This is where installing conveyor belts can help speed up production and increase the ROI as an end result. Conveyor systems are an easy-to-use, consistent way to raise production levels, and they allow workers to better inspect minerals as they head to the surface.

Check out this model of an underground mine with a conveyor system:

We at Furnace Belt have been working for almost four decades to offer the highest quality round-wire woven and flat metal belting for mining operations. In order to maintain a high level of mineral production and boost your company’s profit, we hope you’ll turn to us for all your custom conveyor belt needs.

Recognizing the Importance of Conveyor-Belt Safety

If you’ve ever seen the “I Love Lucy” famous candy factory scene, you know how fast-paced conveyor belts can move. Although it’s funny to watch Lucy and Ethel frantically shove chocolate in their faces to avoid getting fired, those aren’t practices most food processing companies would find acceptable. June is National Safety Month, so we are highlighting the importance of conveyor belt safety.

Ensuring safety for our employees and customers begins before work begins. All conveyor parts are assembled, stabilized, and tested. Safety features such as rails and netting are put in place to protect workers from objects that might accidentally fall off the belt.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration lays out the safety and health regulations for using conveyors, and here are a few key points:

• Systems must have a stopping mechanism at the operator’s station
• A warning signal must sound immediately before starting up the machine
• Emergency stop switches should not allow the conveyor to start again until the stop has been reset to an “on” position
• Each crossover, aisle, or passageway must be marked with a sign
• If machine isn’t suitable for use, a clear “Do Not Operate” tag must be visible

Furnace Belt makes safety a priority, and we encourage you to check out the video below to learn about the National Safety Council’s Journey to Safety Excellence:

Image courtesy of I Love Lucy's Facebook page

Mining Landfills Can Help Save the Environment

There seems to be endless benefits of recycling. The programs save money, energy, and trees. It generates 1.1 million in U.S. jobs, $236 billion sales annually, and $37 billion in salaries. The process reduces air and water pollutants and conserves natural resources. Most importantly, it keeps products out of landfills—but what will happen to the products already in landfills? That’s where landfill mining and reclamation comes in.

Landfill mining and reclamation is a process consisting of excavating and processing solid wastes that are currently in a landfill—in hopes of retrieving space, soil, and recyclable materials. The process, which dates back to the mid-1900s, aides in reorganizing landfills that are poorly operated or are not up to health codes.

Most landfills established prior to 1994 were closed off to seal the waste. In addition, many landfills were developed without linings to separate the landfill and original environment, meaning the waste can seep into the surrounding groundwater, harming land and unleashing legal liabilities.

Mining and reclamation begins by dividing the landfill content and excavating it onto different screens on a conveyor belt—large wastes are caught in the screen while soil falls through the small screen openings. Here is an example of a landfill mining process:

;

This relatively new mining process helps bring the area to an environmental equilibrium, reduce the overall landfill’s size, and recover recyclables. Good candidates for landfill mining and reclamation processes are those where excavators can get an idea of how the landfill was created, the uses of potentially recovered materials, and the current condition of the waste.

A Brief History of Conveyor Belts and the World They Ushered in

Conveyor belts have a long history as an integral part of
production from the coal to the automotive industry.

No history of the last century, or of the current one, would be complete without a history of the industrial conveyor belt. While conveyor belts have been in service since at least the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in England (the first such belts were made from leather or canvas and served as flimsy, short-distance transportation systems for sacks of grain), the scale and scope of their application continued to expand. By the turn of the 20^th century, conveyor belts were being used to unload materials of significant weight – things like lumber and wooden shingles – from out of railcars in Northern cities such as Minneapolis. With the discovery of electric energy and the consequent automation of production that electricity enabled, it was only a matter of time (1919) before the first automated “roller” conveyor was used for automotive production by none other than Henry Ford.

By the mid 1920s, conveyor belts were a “boomtown” industry. The developed nations in Europe and North America all strove to produce goods at a faster and more accurate rate than their competitors. Those who dwelt in the realm of hand-crafted or conventionally assembled products were caught off-guard and left in the wake of the Modern Era. During the Second World War, assembly lines became something of a national icon in America, in that they were used to churn out seemingly endless numbers of tanks, trucks, jeeps, fighters, and bombers for the Allied war effort against the Axis powers. The city of Detroit, birthplace of the Ford Motor Co. and the automotive assembly line, earned itself the new distinction as the “Arsenal of Democracy” on account of the sheer quantities of armaments it produced for American and Allied armies.

The basic science was already well in place by 1945, but improvements throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s left conveyor systems with better means of control over their own operation. Utilizing a series of internally powered rollers and pulleys, these new generations of conveyor belts paved the way for the megalithic, high-efficiency conveyance systems we see in operation today. As it stands, the longest conveyor belt in the world is located in Western Sahara, where it is used in phosphate mining.

Even as the basic operating principals continue to hold, there are continuous tweaks, fine-tunings, and upgrades being made to conveyor systems and conveyor belt weaves alike by companies far and wide. We at Furnace Belt are a proud, long-standing player in an industrial sector that has become an iconic symbol of capital-I “Industry” itself. As the 21^st century rolls along, so shall we.

Our Work in Open-Pit Mining (Part One of a 2-Part Mining Series)

All components of a blast furnace must be
able to withstand extreme heat.

When one of the largest mining consortiums in the world contacted us to deliver conveyor belting for their mining operations on two different continents, we knew it would be a challenge, but we also knew we were up for it. What we didn’t know at the time was that the customized weaving we would eventually produce would prove to be our most ambitious industrial belt-work to date.

The client in question operates multiple nickel refineries in different locations across the globe. One essential part of the nickel refining process is the desulfurization of unrefined “ore” into nickel briquettes. Desulfurization allows for excess quantities of extraneous sulfur to be extracted from the raw material, leaving the nickel itself in a more “purified” state, as well as giving it greater properties of corrosion-resistance. Needless to say, desulfurization requires a blast furnace of epic proportions, particularly on the monumental scale by which most nickel processing operations get carried out in today’s hyper-industrialized world. Furthermore, and almost needless to say, the conveyor belting that carries the raw nickel into the blast furnace in order for it to be desulfurized needs to have two essential qualities: first, that it be capable of withstanding the tremendous heat of the blast furnace; and second, that it be capable of handling the tremendous turnover rate at which industrial-scale mining is conducted.

We set out to instill those two qualities in the work we performed on behalf of our client. What we ended up delivering to our customer was, in of itself, a work of art by the standards of our industry: a 60” wide conveyor belt capable of enduring immense blast furnace heat at a level commensurate with our client’s rigorous standards.

With our experience crafting high-performance equipment for major players in the mining industry, we have grown increasingly interested in the various types of mining operations that happen around the globe, and how our belt weaves can be adapted and/or customized for specific kinds of mining (open-pit mining, etc.) An upcoming blog will explore some of the various types of mining operations that require industrial-sized conveyor belts to insure their proper functioning. In the meantime, we are pleased to add that our client has been very happy with the work we delivered on their behalf. For further questions about how Furnace Belt can be of service to your given mining operation, please contact us today by phone or by email.

HSE Guidance Code Issued for Conveyor Workstations

The Health and Safety Executive Council (HSE), England’s foremost workplace health regulator, has issued guidelines for companies operating conveyor belts in the United Kingdom. These reports are drawing some appreciative buzz from “across the Pond” in North America. Primarily, the HSE has found that one of the leading causes of injury for those who sort through packages and/or components on a conveyor belt is musculoskeletal disorder.

Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs for short, come in a nasty variety of types. While certain injuries to the human musculature or bone structure can transpire suddenly, others are slow-developing, harder to detect, and all the more insidious for being those things. Specifically, the awkward physical postures that conveyor line workers often have to assume during the course of sorting can lead to long-term problems such as spinal or back-related injuries, as well as deterioration of the arms and hip-joints. Repetitious twisting, leaning, and stooping, not to mention repeatedly lifting heavy objects from off a conveyor line can lead to all these things.

Workplace safety is something we all need to take seriously; manufacturers as much as plant operators. The need for conveyor belt sorters and workers to be seated at workstations whenever possible is something that can prevent a large number of these injuries from occurring over the long-term. At Furnace Belt, we can easily accommodate any workplace safety issues customers may have while designing our conveyor belts. A healthy worker is a productive and happy worker, it almost goes without saying. Let us know at Furnace Belt how we can help make your workplace healthier, safer, and more productive.

Furnishing North America and the World with Conveyor Belts

Being that we’re already a transnational company with offices both in Ontario and Upstate New York, it shouldn't come as any surprise that Furnace Belt does a fair share of its business internationally. A good 10% of our total annual revenue on average comes not only from neighboring North American countries like Mexico, but also nations farther afield: places like Australia, South Africa, Turkey, and throughout the Middle East. All of these countries have sizable food processing and manufacturing industries (indeed some of them gargantuan), and all of them require conveyor belt meshes that let their production processes run smoothly and competitively. Since North America has a long legacy of providing quality industrial products, it only makes sense that other nations would reach out to places like Furnace Belt to furbish their production lines with the best technology money can buy.

For instance, Australia and South Africa have an abundance of mines dispersed across their territory. Australian copper and South African diamonds are, after all, practically household names in the global market. That being said, these countries rely upon a constant supply of industrial conveyor belts to extract the riches from beneath their soil. World-famous conglomerates in both of these countries would never be what they are without the necessary means of extraction engineering.

That’s what we’re here to do at Furnace Belt. As part of the North American manufacturing network that runs roughly from Chicago to north of Toronto, we make it our business to insure that other developing countries get the equipment they need to continue to grow their nascent economies. Global prosperity is a prospect we champion and relish the thought of. If you’re a customer in another country who wants durable, precision conveyor belt meshing for any type of industry, we’re always ready to hear from you via email or telephone. Let us know today!

The Promising Future of Indian Food Processing

Furnace Belt is considered a world leader in the manufacture of woven metal conveyor belting, so it should come as no surprise that we are quite interested and involved in the burgeoning Indian food processing industry. Over the past few years, the Indian food processing industry has taken off like a rocket, which in turn has created a nearly insatiable demand for cutting edge technology and machinery.  

According to a report from the influential Technology Exports Development Organization (TEDO), the Government of India has given commercializing agriculture and developing food processing high priority in developing India’s economy. Unfortunately, the report also points out that the agro-food processing equipment sector is lagging behind other developed countries. This technological discrepancy stymies the food processing industry, since modern equipment like the conveyor belts we make at Furnace Belt aren’t available for small to mid-sized Indian companies.

The products we make at Furnace Belt allow for produce and meats to reach the market place with consistent level of quality, as well as being free of potentially hazardous bacteria.  The only way to truly grow the industry is to methodically upgrade the equipment and infrastructure so that the people of India trust that their food supply is wholesome and without blemish. The government has set a goal to triple the size of the industry by 2014-15. An Indian academic, V Gokul Das, MD summarizes as such: “Future prospects for the industry are pretty bright. It is a growing sector as there is mass movement from villages to cities and there are new products that are being launched for the food and beverage sector.”

For everyone at Furnace Belt this is an exciting time. We look forward to introducing even more of our conveyor belting to India’s new and seismically growing food and beverage processing industry. 

Ontario Food Cluster and the IFPT

Stretching from Toronto to Buffalo, NY, the so-called “Ontario Food Cluster” is a thriving agglomeration of some 3,200 food and beverage companies. Together they comprise Canada’s largest pool of agri-food talent, and the 2^nd largest in North America. With an innovative research climate and easy access to the global market, the Ontario Food Cluster has drawn some of the biggest names in the food industry. These companies have an estimated annual manufacturing revenue of $34 billion and employ 130,000 people directly in agri-food processing/manufacturing and wholesaling, along with another 483,000 workers in related sectors.

It is kind of hard to imagine the Ontario Food Cluster getting any more, but it just did. Recently the Cluster’s economic development executives attended the influential SIAL Brazil 2012 show to promote the new Conestoga College Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT). This innovative school was created in 2009 in partnership with the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) to allow for the development of a highly skilled workforce by providing education and training programs that meet the needs of the food and beverage industry. IFPT focuses on areas like food safety, food processing techniques, electronic instrumentation techniques, automation, robotics, packaging, and plant supervision. It is the perfect environment in which to learn the ins and outs of almost every aspect of the food and beverage manufacturing field. 

At Furnace Belt we find it especially good news that another generation is getting trained properly and effectively in the food processing and safety industry. Our belts are widely used throughout the companies in the “Food Cluster” and nothing is better than working hand in hand with fellow experts. If you want to learn more about IFPT you can visit their website

Belt Maintenance Is Your Friend!

When you buy a car, the dealership will let you know that you should come in for a check-up after a certain number of miles. While they totally believe in the quality of their product, they also know from experience that things need to be checked now and again to avoid major problems from forming.  The same goes for your conveyor belt. Nothing is worse than having a belt break in the middle of an important order. The lost time, money, and production will drive anyone to frustration (if not out of business). Though there is no magic bullet that lets you avoid mishaps completely, there is one way to limit them. At Furnace Belt, we believe that if you are consistent in performing belt maintenance through regular inspections and audits, your belts will last longer and run smoother. With that in mind, we put together the top five things to consider when doing belt maintenance:

1. Make sure your belt was made for your exact specifications. Don’t overshoot and try to get something too heavy for your needs. Belts have specific loading capacities and they must be respected.

2. Choose the proper alloy for the temperatures or application. For example, if you’re running at 2,000 degrees, you would use 314 stainless steel in building your belt; as opposed to using more standard galvanized steel. You can always ask one of our experts for help in finding the perfect belt for the appropriate temperature.

3. Keep up on the maintenance of the furnace itself. If your furnace is not running at the correct temperature, it will not only affect belt life, but your product quality as well.

4. Flip the belt from time to time. Give one side a rest in favor of the other. It’s a process that’s a little like rotating your crops in a field to insure overall health

5. Make sure that everything’s running true and straight.  Otherwise, your belt might be torn and if you process food that could mean disaster.

If you follow these steps, we believe you can not only maintain the life of your belt, but also ensure the safety of your workers and save money all at the same time.

Food Processing Meshes Are Some of Our Absolute Specialties

Few industries in this world are as continuously non-stop as food processing. Commanding literally trillions of dollars in global sales and profits, and with an ever-increasing number of people across the planet developing hearty appetites for processed foods, we frankly see no end in sight as far as the need for food processing and packaging companies to expand their productive capacity. As with any industry that performs ceaseless high-volume runs, the food processing industry – whether it’s food or drink, meat or starch – requires trackless miles of conveyor belts to keep up with the growing demand.

At Furnace Belt, we offer many different meshes and possible materials for food processing conveyor belts. Whether you are in the abattoir industry and need extra yardage for your meat or poultry products, or whether you’re in the beverage business and need extra meshing to handle a new line of juice, beer, or soft drink, at Furnace Belt, we offer the right fit for a reasonable price. For more information about how we can help your business expand its production capacity and for which type of mesh would best suit the needs of your line of work, please browse our website, or contact us at 1-800-354-7213.