KCC

Industrial Applications / Light Conveyor Belts

Change light conveyor belts
without stopping the line for a whole shift

On the light conveyor belts used in food, pharmaceutical, electronics and logistics lines, the splicing method determines how long the line stops for a belt change, whether it introduces a metal foreign-body risk, and whether the splice runs smoothly over small pulleys and through inspection equipment. This page compares common splicing methods from a line-maintenance perspective and explains the key points for selecting and installing the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor.

ImageConveyor belt splice in service on a production line, with the splice clearly visiblecv-hero · 16:9
Spec summary | KCC Spiral Fastener for Light ConveyorKCC · SPIRAL FASTENER
On-site splicing time
Approx. 10 minNormal conditions; varies with belt width and thickness
Lateral strength
≥ 1600 N / 40 mmCrosswise force the closed splice withstands per 40 mm of width
Joint height
0.75 – 0.85 mm
Recommended min. pulley
From D10 mm#5 size
Materials
Polyester teeth, nylon tape (non-metallic)
Sizes
#5 · #7 · #8 · #10
KCC industrial zipper category page (Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor product page in preparation)
Typical values; refer to the KCC specification sheet and sample testing. Strength values converted at 1 kgf ≈ 10 N for convenience

Line considerations

What to compare when evaluating a conveyor belt splice: downtime, foreign-body risk, equipment compatibility and belt-surface flatness

Downtime

Hot vulcanization and heat welding require a dedicated heated press, plus time to heat up, hold pressure and cool down, so a single belt change often stops the line for several hours or more. On highly automated lines, every hour of downtime is lost output.

Foreign-body risk

Food and pharmaceutical lines have zero tolerance for metal fragments. A splice with metal parts can become a source of foreign bodies as it wears, and can also cause false alarms on metal detectors.

Equipment compatibility

Precision equipment often uses small-diameter pulleys or nose bars, combined with X-ray, photoelectric and metal detection. A splice that is too thick, too stiff or contains metal may not pass through smoothly.

Flat belt surface

A step between the splice and the belt surface accelerates scraper wear and can leave impressions on conveyed items such as dough or electronic components.

Splicing methods

KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor compared with hot vulcanization, cold bonding, metal fasteners and modular plastic belting

For light conveying that needs fast belt changes and is sensitive to metal, the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor combines the installation speed of a mechanical fastener with the flat belt surface of a heat-welded splice. Heavy-duty conveying still relies mainly on hot vulcanization or metal fasteners.

KCC product

KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor

KCC industrial zipper category page

The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor suits lines that run light belts, need frequent belt changes or removal for washing, and are sensitive to metal foreign bodies.

Approx. 10 minOn-site splicing; hot vulcanization stops the line for several hours or more
Non-metallicPolyester teeth and nylon tape do not interfere with metal detection or X-ray
0.75 mm#5 joint height, close to belt thickness
D10 mmSmallest pulley diameter #5 can pass over

Compared with other splicing methods

  • vs. hot vulcanization / heat weldingNo heavy heated press needed; belt-change downtime drops from several hours to about 10 minutes.
  • vs. cold bondingNo waiting for adhesive to cure, and splice quality is not affected by on-site temperature and humidity.
  • vs. metal mechanical fastenersNon-metallic teeth do not trigger metal detection, run quietly and are less likely to wear small pulleys.
  • vs. modular plastic beltingA continuous, flat belt surface suited to conveying precision parts and to high hygiene requirements.

The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor is for light conveyor belts only. It is not suitable for heavy rubber belts, steel-cord belts or high-impact conveying; for those, see the other splicing methods below.

Other common splicing methods (not made by KCC; for comparison only)

Splicing methodSplice strengthOn-site installation timeMain limitations
Hot vulcanization / heat weldingUp to about 90% of original belt strengthSeveral hours or moreRequires a heavy heated press; long downtime
Cold bondingAbout 60% of original belt strengthFaster, but requires curing timeStrongly affected by temperature and humidity; mostly used for emergency repairs
Metal mechanical fastenersHighFastNoisier in operation and wears small pulleys; unsuitable for metal-sensitive lines
Modular plastic beltingDepends on belt structureReplaced module by moduleGaps in the belt surface; unsuitable for precision parts or high-hygiene conveying

Splice strengths are general industry reference values; actual values vary with belt material, size and workmanship.

Suitable lines

Lines that suit and do not suit the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor

The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor suits light conveying where downtime is costly and metal is a concern. It is not suitable for heavy-duty conditions such as mining, cement and bulk materials.

ImageElectronics SMT / PCB linecv-scene-electronics · 4:3
Electronics assembly lines often use thin belts and small pulleys
ImageFood processing conveyor linecv-scene-food · 4:3
Food processing lines need a non-metallic splice that can be removed for washing
ImageAutomated sorting line in a logistics centercv-scene-logistics · 4:3
Logistics sorting lines prioritize shorter belt-change downtime

Lines where the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor is recommended

  • Electronics assembly (SMT / PCB)Non-metallic construction does not interfere with precision sensors; thin belts and small pulleys are common on these lines.
  • Food processingNo risk of metal fragments, and the splice can be opened for cleaning.
  • Pharmaceutical packagingLower foreign-body risk, with quick removal and refitting at changeovers.
  • Automated sorting and logistics centersDowntime is costly, and on-site splicing in about 10 minutes shortens belt-change downtime.
  • Airport security X-ray conveyorsA non-metallic splice does not affect X-ray image interpretation.
  • Textile dyeing and printingPolyester teeth and nylon tape do not rust and resist acids and alkalis, which suits humid environments. Where the splice contacts specific chemicals, please test under actual conditions.

Lines where use is not recommended

  • Mining, cement plants and quarries
  • Heavy rubber and steel-cord belts for bulk materials

The splice strength and impact resistance that mining, cement and bulk-material conveying require are beyond the design range of the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor. Heavy-duty metal fasteners or hot vulcanization are recommended instead.

Recommended KCC product

Specifications and sizes of the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor

The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor is a conveyor belt splicing component that KCC developed from its zipper manufacturing technology. The splice is complete once the teeth on both sides are closed. No slider stays on the splice, the belt surface remains flat, and the fastener suits many types of light conveyor belts.

KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor

Industrial Zipper · Specialty product · #5 / #7 / #8 / #10
ImageClose-up of the fastener teethcv-product-closeup · 4:3
ImageBelt surface after splicing (top or side view)cv-product-joined · 4:3
  • Non-metallic teethRust-free and acid/alkali-resistant; no interference with metal detectors, X-ray or precision sensors.
  • Fast on-site splicingNo heated press required; about 10 minutes under normal conditions, giving more flexibility for belt changes and removal for washing.
  • Fits thin belts and small pulleys#5 has a joint height of 0.75 mm and can be used on thin belts of 0.8 mm or less and on small pulleys of D10–15 mm.
  • Stable engagement strengthWith the splice closed, lateral strength reaches 1600 N or more per 40 mm of width; a guide-channel structure meshes the teeth precisely, reducing separation caused by vibration and side loads.
  • Flat splice surfaceEach size matches a different belt thickness, leaving no noticeable step in the belt surface after splicing and reducing scraper wear and impressions on conveyed items.
SizeJoint height mmJoint width mmMin. pulley mmSuitable belts
#50.755.010 – 15Ultra-thin belts (≤ 0.8 mm)
#70.857.1530Standard light belts
#80.857.640Standard light belts
#100.85Please enquire50Thicker or wider light belts

Typical values; refer to the KCC specification sheet and sample testing. Strength values converted at 1 kgf ≈ 10 N for convenience.

KCC industrial zipper category page (Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor product page in preparation)
KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor splice passing over the minimum pulley Splice 0.75–0.85 mm ≈ belt thickness Min. pulley dia. D 10 – 50 mm Return
The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor splice must travel with the belt around the smallest pulley on the equipment. Joint height is 0.75–0.85 mm, and the larger the size, the larger the recommended minimum pulley diameter (10–50 mm). Not to scale.

Choose the size by belt thickness and minimum pulley diameter

  • Belt thickness
    Determines how much clearance is needed between the teeth and the seam. Choose #5 for thin belts of 0.8 mm or less, #7 or #8 for standard light belts, and #10 for thicker belts.
  • Minimum pulley or nose bar diameter on the equipment
    The splice must flex around it smoothly. #5 can go down to D10–15 mm; #7, #8 and #10 are recommended for 30, 40 and 50 mm and above, respectively.

Selection and installation

Selection and installation steps for the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor

  1. ImageMeasuring belt thicknesscv-step-1 · 4:3

    Measure belt thickness and pulley diameter

    Belt thickness and the equipment's minimum pulley (or nose bar) diameter determine the range of usable sizes.

  2. Image#5 / #7 / #8 / #10 side by sidecv-step-2 · 4:3

    Choose the size by belt thickness

    The thicker the belt, the more clearance is needed between the seam and the teeth, so the size must increase accordingly for the slider to travel and close the fastener smoothly.

  3. ImageCover-coating and leveling the seamcv-step-3 · 4:3

    Plan cover-coating, leveling and clearance

    The seam at the two belt ends usually needs cover-coating and leveling. Leave clearance at the zipper position in the design so the coating does not pinch the teeth once it is compacted.

  4. ImageClosing the splice on sitecv-step-4 · 4:3

    Plan on-site labor

    Under normal conditions, one person can close the splice. For thicker belts, or where the seam sits tight against the teeth, we recommend two people holding the belt and one closing it so the splice fits properly.

Common issue

Choosing a size that is too small is the most frequent problem on site. For example, if #5 is used on a thick belt, the seam sits tight against the teeth after cover-coating and leveling, slider resistance becomes too high to push or pull, and the teeth have to be meshed by hand instead, which noticeably increases installation time.

Installation tip

For long belts, a guide strip is recommended to help with alignment. If the line operates in high humidity, please state the operating conditions during selection so that suitable accessory materials can be confirmed.

Documentation

Food-contact, anti-static and quality system documents to confirm before adoption

Food-contact compliance

For lines serving the US market, refer to the relevant FDA 21 CFR provisions; for the EU market, refer to EC 1935/2004. Request material compliance documentation from your supplier for the market where the line operates.

Anti-static requirements

If electronics or semiconductor lines have anti-static requirements, please raise them at the selection stage so that materials and test methods can be confirmed.

KCC company profile and quality system

KCC (KEEN CHING) ZIPPER was founded in Taiwan in 1976 and is headquartered in Taipei. KCC operates zipper plants in Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and has sales offices in locations including Europe, India and Hong Kong.

KCC's production system is certified to ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management) and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), among other system certifications, and undergoes annual Worldly and BSCI assessments. KCC products also hold OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I product certification. KCC plants use tensile testers, reciprocating cycle testers and other equipment for outgoing strength and functional inspection.

FAQ

Questions purchasing and maintenance teams often ask

Can the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor replace a hot-vulcanized splice?

For light belts, yes; for heavy-duty conveying, it is not recommended. On light-belt lines where belts are changed often or removed for washing, switching to the KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor shortens belt-change downtime from several hours to about 10 minutes. For long-running main lines that need close to the original belt strength, or for heavy-duty conveying, hot vulcanization remains the more suitable method.

Will the splice trigger metal detectors?

No. The KCC Spiral Fastener for Light Conveyor has polyester teeth and nylon tape, both non-metallic, and no slider remains on the splice after closing, so the splice suits lines with metal detection or X-ray inspection. KCC still recommends a trial run on the actual equipment before adoption.

Is a larger size the safer choice?

Not necessarily. A size that is too small makes closing difficult; a size that is too large needs a larger pulley diameter. #10, for example, is recommended for minimum pulleys of 50 mm and above, so on small-pulley equipment it will not pass smoothly. It is best to decide on belt thickness and minimum pulley diameter together.

What information is needed for selection?

Belt material and thickness, belt width, the equipment's minimum pulley (or nose bar) diameter, your industry, and the operating environment (temperature, humidity and cleaning method). The more complete the information, the better the chance of choosing the right size the first time.

Tell us about your line conditions

Share the belt thickness, belt width, minimum pulley diameter and operating environment, and the KCC technical team will recommend a suitable size and help with sample evaluation.

Contact the KCC technical team

This page is a general selection reference. Specifications are typical values; actual performance varies with belt material, equipment and installation conditions. Please refer to the KCC specification sheet and sample test results.

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