Conveyor Drum Pulley for belt conveyor

Drum Pulleys for every function

ALTEMA, a manufacturer based in Mouilleron-Saint-Germain in the Vendée since 1995, designs and manufactures custom-made drums for conveyor belts in the industry a11> drums for conveyor systems intended for industrial installations. The company manufactures a wide range of drums standard, large diameter and special drums, made of steel or stainless steel, plain or rubber-lined drums, with configurations tailored to the requirements of each application.

As a member of the Vendée-based industrial group FIDEIP, ALTEMA supports operators of sites equipped with belt conveyors, as well as conveyor manufacturers wishing to outsource the manufacture of their drums. Its products meet the requirements of both standard conveyors and heavier-duty conveying systems, particularly in mines, quarries, ports, sorting centres and the bulk goods industry.

With over 30 years’ experience and state-of-the-art production facilities, ALTEMA manufactures conveyor belt drums tailored to every application: drive drums, tension drums, return drums, tensioning drums and counterweight drums. Whether made of steel or stainless steel, coated or uncoated, cylindrical or double-conical, the ALTEMA teams will identify the technical solution best suited to the requirements of your installation.
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Conveyor pulleys of all dimensions

ALTEMA manufactures mechanically-welded cylinders ranging in diameter from Ø88 to 1300 mm, with shafts up to 6 metres in length. The drums known as ‘standard’ cover the diameters ranging from 88 to 600 mm. Beyond that, and up to 1300 mm, the drums large diameter are fitted to the bulk handling and high-capacity systems, whilst the special drums are manufactured manufactured according to specifications to meet the requirements of specific applications.

Each drum can be fitted with the type of shaft-to-flange connection best suited to the application: removable tapered hubs, UCFC surface-mounted bearings or clamping rings.

With over 10,000 drums produced each year, ALTEMA has established itself as a trusted partner for industries that use belt conveyors. The company supports its customers at every stage of the project to design a reliable drum that meets the safety requirements of their installation.

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Technical advice?

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+33 (0)2 52 56 04 18

A range of drum pulleys for all sectors of activity

ALTEMA's experience enables us to meet both classic conveyor pulley and handling drum pulley requirements, as well as more specific needs in all sectors of activity: mining, quarrying, recycling, fertilizers, ports, food processing.

+10,000 Drum pulleys per year

+10 Business sectors

+500 satisfied customers

Do you already have the dimensions of your drum pulley ?
Send us your pre-filled request for a quick quotation using ALTEMA drawings.

SEE ALTEMA DRAWINGS

Simplfied drawing of a belt conveyor

Which drum is used for which function on a belt conveyor?

A conveyor with a belt uses up to five drum functions, each at a specific point along the path of the belt. The diagram below shows their locations; Altema manufactures all of them, to the dimensions of your installation.

tail pulley

The drum of return, also known as the foot drum, returns the belt to the end opposite the drive. It ensures precise alignment of the conveyor belt and helps to maintain the correct tension, which reduces the risk of premature wear.

See our tail pulleys

Head pulley

The drive drum, also known as the control drum or head drum, sets the conveyor belt in motion. Altema offers it with various types of lining to optimise grip with the belt and minimise wear.

See our drive pulleys

Snub pulley

The snub drum pulley is used to increase the contact surface between the conveyor belt and the nearest drum. It plays an essential role in ensuring effective traction and constant tension.

See our snub pulleys

Take up pulley

The take-up pulley is used to adjust the belt tension based on the load being transported. This ensures smooth conveyor operation and helps prevent breakdowns caused by improper tension.

See our take up pulley

How should you choose your drum for a conveyor?

The selection of a drum for a conveyor is based on six key criteria:

the function on the conveyor: drive, return, tension, counterweight or inflection;
the diameter and the dimensions: from Ø88 to 600 mm for standard applications, up to 1300 mm for high throughput, with a shaft length suited to your chassis;
the material: steel for most of the applications, stainless steel where the environment or the product being transported requires it;
the lining: bare drum, or rubber lining selected according to the required grip and the environment;
the shaft/flange connection and the bearings: shrink sleeves for clamping, removable hubs, UCFC flange-mounted bearings or welded connection;
the operating environment: humidity, mud, abrasion, dust, seaside environment, high temperatures.

The exact specifications (diameter, shaft length, type of coating, bearings, material) are customised to suit your installation, the product being conveyed and the operating conditions, based on the loads you provide.

Talk about your needs with our experts

Lagging for conveyor take up drum pulley

In order to ensure better adhesion and protect the conveyor belt, Altema has developed, over more than thirty years of manufacturing, comprehensive expertise in coating: coating profile, application technology and drum preparation, which is systematically shot-blasted prior to coating to ensure optimum rubber adhesion.

The coatings offered range from smooth rubber to ceramic coating, including various products such as diamond-patterned ISO 284/340, and many other options. Our solutions ensure increased durability and a long service life for conveyor drums. Depending on your needs, we also use cold bonding or hot vulcanization techniques to guarantee optimal adhesion of the coating

See laggings

Shaft coupling systems for conveyor belt drum

The connection between the drum and its shaft determines the robustness of the conveyor system conveyor. Altema offers several options: removable VECOBLOC hubs, clamping rings, UCFC-type surface-mounted bearings or welded connections to flanges.

Clamping elements

Clamping elements operate by using the radial deformation of tapered components that form their head. When the tightening torque is applied to the screw, an axial movement is generated, allowing the conical parts to make contact. This mechanism produces a compressive force that ensures a solid connection between the drum and the shaft. The advantages of clamping elements include eliminating play between the drum pulley and the shaft and distributing the load evenly across the entire shaft diameter. This reduces wear and increases the lifespan of the components.

Universal hubs type VECOBLOC

VECOBLOC removable hubs, also known as TAPERLOCK, are detachable connections that allow a conveyor belt drum to be fixed to its shaft without the need for specific tools. This system provides a good alternative to clamping elements for users who wish to maintain a keyed connection. The advantage of this coupling system is the wide range of models available to suit various industrial applications.

Why choose ALTEMA for your conveyor drum pulleys?

ALTEMA stands out for its technical expertise, personalized support, and the quality of its products. Our custom solutions and commitment to our clients allow us to position ourselves as a reliable partner for the manufacturing of your conveyor belt or elevator drum pulleys.

Technical support in defining your products

Since 1995, ALTEMA has produced hundreds of thousands of conveyor pulleys for industries such as quarries, mines, and other sectors requiring handling and conveyor drums. Our in-house design office and technical teams oversee every step of the process, from design to production, including precise sizing of conveyor drum pulleys using advanced 3D CAD software. This allows us to effectively support our clients in designing solutions tailored to all configurations and technical requirements.

Altema, manufacturer of conveyor belt drums

maintenance and quality control of a conveyor belt drum

Quality control and compliance with standards

At ALTEMA, we are committed to providing drum pulleys with a high level of reliability. Each drum undergoes strict quality control at every stage of its manufacturing process. This allows us to validate compliance with the dimensional tolerances defined during design, guarantee high-quality drums, and ensure complete customer satisfaction.

Our production processes are not limited to quality control; they also comply with environmental and safety regulations.

Fast response with ALTEMA Express 24h in France

With our ALTEMA Express 24h service, available exclusively in France, we can manufacture and dispatch drums within extremely short lead times. This service is particularly suitable for French industrial sites that cannot afford a prolonged interruption to their production.
Do you urgently need to replace a drum with a diameter ranging from 114 to 508 mm? ALTEMA is committed to responding to your needs as quickly as possible.

Altema services

RDM DIMENSIONING

ALTEMA's Engineering Department is able to dimension and verify conveyor drum pulleys and elevator pulleys using its RDM and 3D CAD calculation software.

Static and Dynamic Balancing

ALTEMA offers balancing solutions and services for high-speed conveyor pulleys, to keep them running at peak performance.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Depending on the application, the field of activity, the transported material and the climatic conditions, ALTEMA offers you specific solutions to optimise your products and improve your performance.

How to prepare your project

Which rubber lining should you choose for a conveyor drum?

The choice of lining depends primarily on the drum’s function and the operating environment. For a drive drum, an adhesive lining minimises belt slippage: ISO 284/340 diamond-pattern lining for general use; hot-vulcanised Slide Lag for high tensile loads; pulley bars or Griplag for large drums and harsh conditions. For drums that do not drive the belt (idler, tail), a smooth rubber covering extends service life and reduces clogging. In damp or muddy environments, ceramic lining offers the highest grip. For the food and drink industry, Altema applies white, FDA-approved food-grade rubber. The lining is fixed by cold bonding or hot vulcanisation, depending on the application. The Altema teams will advise you on the most suitable lining for your application.

Should I choose a steel or stainless steel drum?

Steel is the standard material for conveyor drums: it is suitable for the vast majority of industrial applications, whether left bare or protected by a rubber lining. Stainless steel is the preferred choice when the environment or the product being conveyed requires it, particularly in the food industry or where there is high humidity and strict cleanliness requirements. The choice therefore depends on the product being conveyed, the operating environment (humidity, washing, corrosive atmosphere) and the site’s specific requirements. Altema manufactures its drums in both materials and processes all types of steel for the shaft, depending on the loads and stresses of the installation. If in doubt, please describe your application: our technical teams will advise you on the most suitable material and, if necessary, the appropriate coating.

What information do I need to provide to get a quote for a conveyor drum?

To obtain an accurate quotation, please provide Altema with the following: the drum’s function (drive, return, tension, counterweight, deflection); its dimensions — either a drawing of the existing drum or dimensions taken from ALTEMA’s standard drawings; the material being conveyed and the operating environment (humidity, abrasion, temperature); the loads and operating conditions if the drum needs to be sized; the desired type of mounting and bearings; and whether a rubber lining is required. If you are missing any of this information, the Design Office will work with you to determine it as part of the manufacturing process. You can request a quotation via the contact form or by telephone on +33 (0)2 52 56 04 18.

How can you quickly replace a faulty conveyor drum?

To minimise the downtime of a line, Altema offers the ALTEMA Express 24 service: the express manufacture of a drum for repair on a single-unit basis, with diameters from Ø114 to 508 mm, with dispatch the following day, subject to conditions. This repair service is available in France only. To take advantage of this service, please provide the dimensions of the drum to be replaced (the standard ALTEMA drawings make it easier to measure the dimensions) and contact the team on +33 (0)2 52 56 04 18. For those drums outside of this range of diameters or the specific configurations, Altema will work with you to find a44> the quickest replacement solution within the framework of a made-to-measure production process.

Is it possible to have a drum made to a design or as an exact replica?

Yes. Altema manufactures conveyor drums to your specifications, whether it is a special drum designed by your engineering department or a replacement drum to be reproduced exactly as the original. If you do not have a drawing, there are two options: take the dimensions of the existing drum using ALTEMA’s standard drawings, or provide the loads and operating conditions so that the Design Office can size the drum as part of the manufacturing process. This flexibility is designed for both operators replacing a worn drum and conveyor manufacturers who outsource the production of their drums and pulleys, from single units to production runs.

Is a conveyor drum supplied with its bearings already fitted?

Yes, this is in fact the most common configuration at Altema: the bearings are generally integrated into the drum assembly. Altema maintains a large stock of SNG-type flanged bearings — 22000 series double-row spherical roller bearings, H300 series clamping sleeves, TSNG seals, FR rings — and fits them, pre-lubricated, at the required centre distance onto the manufactured drums. The drum is therefore delivered ready to be fitted onto the conveyor frame, which simplifies replacement and reduces downtime. Other mounting options are available depending on your installation: UCFC-type flange-mounted bearings, clamping collars, VECOBLOC removable hubs or flange-welded mounting.