Guide to Conveyor Belt Supply Options

When selecting the right conveyor belt, it’s important to consider the preferred supply option in addition to the base belt construction and performance characteristics. Supply options refer to how a conveyor belt is prepared in advance of delivery. For instance, a vulcanised endless belt arrives as a continuous loop whereas a cut length belt arrives with square ends. The correct supply option for your application will depend on several factors including machinery installation requirements and operating conditions.

At Smiley Monroe, our conveyor belts are available in a range of supply options including endless vulcanised conveyor belts, stripped belts ready for splicing, cut length conveyor belts, mechanically spliced conveyor belts and conveyor belt rolls.

All our conveyor belts can be produced in EP multi-ply, TOUGHFLEX®, Ripstop or Fabric Breaker constructions. They can be further customised with specialised top covers (oil/heat/fire/ frost resistant) and cleats from our Integracleat™ range or supplied as flat belts.

Let’s take a closer look at the different supply options available from Smiley Monroe and their key features.

1. Endless (Vulcanised) Conveyor Belts

An endless belt is supplied as a continuous loop with a factory-made hot vulcanised splice. Supplied in this option the belt is ready for install without the need for on-site vulcanisation or cold bolding.

Endless belt key features:

• No mechanical joint
• High strength and durability
• Smooth, continuous running

Best used for:

• OEMs fitting to a conveyor at the beginning of the build
• Service companies machinery strip-back is possible
• High-tension or heavy-duty applications

Smiley Monroe is recognised as the global leader in the production of hot spliced endless conveyor belts. With over 45 years’ experience, our endless belts are trusted across the globe for superior quality and reliability.

2. Prepared Belts (Ready for Splicing)

A prepared belt is supplied to the endless length (as a measured length) with prepared ends ready for hot or cold splicing on-site.

Key features:

• Ends are pre-prepared (overlapped and stripped)
• Allows onsite installation
• Flexible joining options

Best used for:

• Installations where endless belts can’t be fitted
• Situations requiring custom belt lengths

These belts are designed to be joined onsite using vulcanising or cold bonding techniques.

3. Cut Length Conveyor Belts

A cut length belt is supplied with square ends and include extra length for splicing.

Key features:

• Simple and cost-effective
• No pre-preparation
• Requires full onsite stripping and vulcanising

Best used for:

• Where the endless length is unknown
• Situations where engineers will prepare and splice the belt themselves

Cut lengths provide flexibility but require additional preparation during installation.

4. ZIP CLIP® – Mechanically Fastened Conveyor Belt

Where endless belts provide a continuous loop, ZIP CLIP® achieves this continuous loop through a mechanical splicing technique.

Most often used as a replacement conveyor belt following a breakdown or planned maintenance, ZIP CLIP® is increasingly becoming a permanent conveyor belt solution thanks to the flexibility it offers. ZIP CLIP® can be fitted on-site easily in as little as one hour enabling operators to get back up and running as quickly as possible. Eliminating the need for a vulcanising crew reduces downtime and improves on-site safety where vulcanising is difficult – for example working at height on scissor lifts.

There are two types of ZIP CLIP® belts:

Push-In Pin ZIP CLIP®

Easy-to-fit push-in connecting pin and 2 zinc plated steel retaining collars which provides extra peace of mind by ensuring the pin can’t become loose whilst the conveyor belt is running.

• Features a push-fit connecting pin
• Includes 2 zinc plated steel retaining collars to prevent loosening
• Recessed joint reduces contact with other conveyor components

Benefits:

• Fast and simple installation
• Reduced downtime
• No specialist tools required

Screw-In ZIP CLIP®

• Uses a threaded connecting pin
• Includes a polyurethane seal

Benefits:

• Secure connection
• Suitable for quick belt replacement

Screw-in fasteners provide a strong mechanical join with added sealing protection.

Smiley Monroe’s Zip Clip® is the world’s fastest replacement conveyor belt, trusted by hundreds of operators and equipment dealers to get back up and running on-site quickly in the face of a machinery breakdown or planned maintenance.

5. Full Conveyor Belt Rolls

A conveyor belt roll is a full-length supply of belt material provided in bulk, rather than pre-cut or pre-spliced.

Key features:

• Supplied as a complete roll of belting
• Cut to length as required
• Available in a wide range of specifications (width, strength, cover grade)

Supplied to your specification

• Choose exact belt width, tensile strength, and surface type to match your application 

 On-hand flexibility

• Cut belts as needed, improving maintenance efficiency and stock control

Reliable supply chain

• Maintain stock availability and reduce delays in operations

Best used for:

• Operations with ongoing belt requirements
• Maintenance teams needing stock on-site
• Large projects requiring multiple belt lengths

Full rolls are ideal when you want maximum flexibility and control over your conveyor belt inventory. We offer same day collection and next day delivery on conveyor belt rolls from our Midlands Hub in Ilkeston, England.

Now you have an overview of conveyor belt supply options, check out our family of base belt and customisation options including ToughFlex®, Ripstop, Fabric Breaker and Integracleat™.

Questions about supply options? Our friendly team are on-hand to help – contact us at hello@smileymonroe.com