Control drum for belt conveyors Drive and head drums, manufactured in France since 1995.
Drive Pulleys Tailored to Your Needs
On a belt conveyor, everything starts with the drive drum: also known as the drive roller or head drum, it transmits the motion from the gear motor to which it is connected to the conveyor belt. As the component under the greatest strain in the system, it is constantly subjected to the torque from the motor and the tension of the belt. Its build quality therefore has a direct impact on the reliability of your system.
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This is precisely what ALTEMA does. A French manufacturer based in Mouilleron-Saint-Germain (Vendée) since 1995, the company designs and manufactures to specification the drums for industrial operators as well as manufacturers of conveyor belts, with diameters from Ø88 to 1300 mm, with single or dual drive, bare or coated, with bearings fitted if your configuration requires them.
Design: curved profile, dimensions, materials
The choice of a drive drum depends on several factors: the load to be transported, the belt speed, the tension and the configuration of the conveyor.
To ensure the conveyor system operates correctly, the drive drum is usually machined to a curved profile. This profile keeps the conveyor belt centred on the conveyor, which improves the overall stability of the system and reduces maintenance requirements. The drum lining then plays a key role in traction and limits belt wear: ALTEMA offers rubber or ceramic linings depending on the level of grip required. Finally, the high mechanical stresses exerted on this drum require precise dimensioning and suitable materials – steel or stainless steel – to ensure its longevity in demanding environments such as quarries, mines and heavy industry.
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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.
How do you choose a control drum?
The choice of a control drum depends on the parameters of your system:
- the torque and the load to be driven, which determine the dimensions of the cylinder and the shaft;
- the belt speed and its width;
- the belt tension, which the drum constantly absorbs;
- conveyor configuration: centre-to-centre distance, position of the gear motor, single or dual control;
- the operating environment: humidity, mud, abrasion, dust;
- the tread pattern, chosen according to the desired grip;
- The shaft-flange connection and bearings: clamping rings, removable hubs, or SNG bearings fitted and greased at the required centre distance; the drum is supplied ready for installation.
Where the torque to be transmitted requires it, the drum can be designed for dual drive, i.e. driven by two gear motors. ALTEMA manufactures both configurations – single and dual drive – from Ø88 to 1300 mm with shafts up to 6 metres in length, including large-diameter drums for high-throughput installations.
The exact specifications (diameter, shaft, coating, bearings, material) are customised to suit your installation, the product being conveyed and the operating conditions, based on the loads you provide.
Our Lagging for Head Pulleys
The primary function of the head drum is to drive the belt efficiently, which requires sufficient friction between the two. In most cases, this drum is fitted with a non-slip lining; however, some drums may remain unlined where the application does not require enhanced friction – the choice depends on the intended use.
ALTEMA uses five types of traction coatings, all of which are applied following shot blasting of the cylinder to ensure the rubber adheres properly, and are fixed by cold bonding or hot vulcanisation:
- ISO 284/340 diamond-pattern rubber: the universal lining for drive drums;
- ceramic: the strongest adhesion, for damp or abrasive environments;
- pulley bars: anti-slip bars designed for large drive drums;
- Slide Lag: hot-vulcanised, for heavy-duty use;
- Griplag: self-cleaning, for tough conditions.
Adhesion as a Key Performance Factor
The grip between the drive drum and the belt determines the conveyor’s ability to move materials. A lack of grip causes slippage, reduces drive efficiency and leads to premature wear of the belt. The belt covering should therefore be selected according to the application: ceramic is the preferred choice in damp or abrasive environments; diamond-patterned belts are suitable for standard applications; and removable or vulcanised solutions are used when loads and tensile forces increase.
A floor covering designed in consultation with you
ALTEMA draws on its experience as a manufacturer – with over thirty years’ experience in conveyor drums – to help you choose the right lining. Its teams analyse the operating conditions, frequency of use and load placed on the conveyor, then select the lining that meets your productivity and durability requirements, from standard head drums to the most specialised configurations.
Technical support in defining your products
At ALTEMA, our teams work closely with each client to analyse their requirements and define the solution best suited to their industrial environment. This expertise ensures the best technical and economic balance and the correct integration of the drum into the conveyor system, including the interface with your gear motor.
ALTEMA’s services
RDM DIMENSIONING
ALTEMA’s Design Office carries out the sizing and verification of conveyor drums and elevator pulleys using its RDM calculation software and 3D CAD software, based on the load data you provide.
Static and Dynamic Balancing
ALTEMA offers balancing services for conveyor drums operating at high rotational speeds, in order to minimise vibrations and wear and to maintain the system’s performance.
Technical Support
Depending on the application, sector, material being transported and weather conditions, ALTEMA offers bespoke solutions to optimise your products and improve your performance.
Other classic conveyor pulleys
tail pulley
The tail pulley, typically located opposite the drive section, ensures precise alignment of the conveyor belt and maintains optimal tension, thereby reducing the risk of premature wear.
Snub pulley
The snub pulley increases the contact surface between the conveyor belt and the adjacent pulley, playing a key role in ensuring optimal traction and maintaining stable tension.
Take up pulley
The take-up pulley regulates the belt tension according to the load being transported. This ensures smooth conveyor operation and prevents failures caused by improper tension.
How to plan your control drum project properly
Control drum, drive drum, head drum: are they the same thing?
Yes, these three terms refer to the same component, viewed from different angles. ‘Control drum’ refers to its function within the system: it controls the movement of the belt. ‘Drive drum’ describes its mechanical action: connected to the gear motor, it drives the belt by friction. ‘Head drum’ indicates its usual position, at the head end of the conveyor, on the motor side. The term ‘drive drum’ is also commonly used to refer to this driven drum. At the opposite end is the return drum, or tail drum, which is not motorised. ALTEMA manufactures all types of conveyor drum to specification, with the drive drum being the one subject to the greatest stress.
What is the difference between a control drum and a motorised drum?
The control drum is driven by an external gear motor, either mounted on the shaft or coupled to it: the motor is located outside the drum. The motorised drum, on the other hand, incorporates the motor inside the cylinder itself. ALTEMA does not manufacture motorised drums: its expertise lies in the drum itself – the mechanically welded cylinder, shaft, traction lining and bearings – designed to interface with your conveyor’s external motor. If your system uses a gear motor, ALTEMA designs and manufactures the drive drum suited to your torque requirements, your belt and your operating environment, in sizes ranging from Ø88 to 1300 mm, with single or dual drive configurations.
What is a dual-control drum?
A dual-drive drum is a drive drum that can be driven by two gear motors, one at each end of the shaft. This configuration is used when the torque required to drive the belt exceeds what a single motor can provide under optimal conditions — typically on heavily loaded conveyors. The operating principle remains that of a conventional drive drum; however, the dual motorisation requires a different design for the shaft, connections and bearings, which must withstand forces from both sides. Altema manufactures both single- and dual-drive drums and calculates each configuration based on the loads and operating conditions you provide, via its Design Office (RDM calculations and 3D CAD).
How can you prevent the belt from slipping on the drive drum?
Slippage occurs when the grip between the belt and the drive drum is no longer sufficient to transmit the force: the belt slips, the conveyor’s throughput is reduced and the belt wears prematurely. The first solution is a traction lining: ISO 284/340 diamond-pattern rubber is commonly used; ceramic is used in damp or abrasive environments; pulley bars, Slide Lag or Griplag are used for large drums, high traction requirements and harsh conditions. The quality of surface preparation is also crucial: at ALTEMA, each drum is shot-blasted before lining to ensure the lining adheres properly. Finally, correct belt tension and a sufficient wrap angle – which may be increased by using a tension drum – complete the system. The ALTEMA teams will advise you based on your specific application.
What should you do if the drive drum breaks down?
A fault with the drive drum may result in the entire production line being brought to a standstill. In such cases, the dimensions and specifications of the faulty drum should be recorded, referring to the available drawings where necessary. Depending on the diameter, drive type and configuration of the drum, a suitable replacement solution can then be explored through bespoke manufacturing.