Serpentine Apron Conveyors

Flexible plate conveyor with planar bending capability and explosion-proof/sealed variants.
Overview The Serpentine Plate Conveyor redefines rigid-path material handling with its unique planar bending capability, enabling complex "snake-like" layouts within a single horizontal plane. Designed for confined spaces and hazardous environments, it combines the robustness of plate conveyors with the adaptability of modular systems. Available in Pressure-Resistant (explosion-proof) and Hermetic (gas-tight) configurations, this conveyor serves industries requiring precision, containment, and spatial efficiency—such as chemical processing, battery manufacturing, and high-value material logistics. Key Features
  1. Unrestricted Planar Flexibility
    • Minimum bending radius: 1.8× plate width, enabling 180° U-turns or spiral paths.
    • Modular design supports on-the-fly reconfiguration for dynamic production lines.
  2. Dual Containment Modes
    • Pressure-Resistant: Maintains 0.5–3.0 bar internal pressure (N₂/CO₂ purge) for combustible dusts.
    • Hermetic: Leakage rate <0.005 vol% (helium-tested) for toxic/volatile materials.
  3. Extreme Environment Capability
    • Operational range: -50°C to +600°C (ceramic-coated plates extend to +1,000°C).
    • Withstands pH 0–14 exposure, 98% RH, and explosive atmospheres (ATEX Zone 1/21).
Technical Specifications
Parameter Pressure-Resistant Hermetic
Plate Material Hardox 450 (standard) SS316L/electropolished
Plate Width 400–2,000 mm 300–1,500 mm
Speed Range 0.05–1.5 m/s (VFD-controlled) 0.02–0.8 m/s (precision drive)
Linear Load Capacity 5,000 kg/m (max) 2,000 kg/m (max)
Pressure/Leak Rate ±2.5 bar (adjustable) <10⁻⁶ mbar·L/s (He mass spec)
Power Requirements 11–200 kW 5.5–90 kW
Surface Finish Diamond grip or smooth Mirror polish (Ra ≤0.4 μm)
Design & Compliance
  • Explosion Safety: Pressure-resistant models feature rupture discs (3.5 bar burst rating) and spark-resistant chains.
  • Cleanroom Readiness: Hermetic version meets ISO Class 4 standards with integrated CIP/SIP ports.
  • Structural Integrity: Exceeds GB/T 10595 safety factors (2.0× design load) with laser-aligned guide rails (±1 mm/10m).
Applications
  • Lithium Battery Production: Contained transfer of electrode slurries and solvents.
  • Chemical Industry: Pyrophoric catalyst handling under inert atmosphere.
  • Food Processing: Hygienic conveyance of allergen-free powders in Z-shaped layouts.
  • Nuclear Sector: Shielded transport of radioactive waste casks.
Customization Options
  • Smart Tracking: RFID-enabled plates for real-time material tracing.
  • Specialized Chains: Non-sparking copper-beryllium or FDA-grade stainless steel.
  • Heating/Cooling: Thermocouple-regulated plates (-70°C to +300°C).
  • Layouts: Overhead suspended, floor-embedded, or multi-level helix configurations.
Why Choose Our System?
  1. Space Savings: 75% footprint reduction vs. traditional conveyor networks.
  2. Zero Downtime: Hot-swappable plates replaceable in ≤15 minutes.
  3. Energy Recovery: Regenerative drives reclaim 22% power during descending loads.
  4. Future-Proof Design: AI-ready interface for Industry 4.0 integration.
Operational Guarantees
  • Load Testing: Prototype validated at 200% rated capacity (per GB/T 3923.1).
  • Certifications: ATEX, IECEx, ISO 21940 (vibration), and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (hermetic).
  • Warranty: 5-year structural warranty, 2-year seal integrity guarantee.
Contact us to engineer a serpentine plate conveyor that bends to your facility's spatial and safety demands. Note: All specifications comply with GB/T frameworks. Lead times: 14–22 weeks (standard), expedited options available.  

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