Why Does the Conveyor Tray Use Nylon Blocks Between the Steel Bars?

The Steel Bars Carry the Load

The steel bars are the main load-bearing part of the tray. They support the product as the carrier moves through the conveyor.

The nylon blocks have a different function. They are not added to increase the rated load. They provide additional support to the tray structure as the chain changes with long-term use.

This difference is important when looking at the design of a continuous conveyor.

Chain Elongation Changes the Tray Condition

When the conveyor is new and the chain is correctly tensioned, the tray chain is designed with a slight upward camber.

During long-term operation, the steel chain is subjected to repeated loading and cycling. Normal wear at the chain joints can gradually increase the effective chain length.

As the chain elongates, its original tension and geometry change. Under load, the tray chain can gradually develop more downward deflection.

The general progression is:

New chain → slight upward camber → chain elongation → increased downward deflection

This is a normal consideration in the long-term design of a chain-driven conveyor.

Why We Add Nylon Blocks

The nylon blocks are positioned between the steel bars to provide additional support to the tray.

As the chain gradually changes during service, the blocks help support the tray and reduce excessive downward deflection.

They do not stop chain wear or eliminate the need for tension adjustment. Their purpose is to give the carrier additional support and help maintain its working condition for a longer period.

This is why we consider the nylon blocks a durability feature, rather than a component required simply to meet the initial load rating.

Why Use Nylon Instead of More Steel?

The support material does not need to be another steel component.

Nylon is lighter and provides a lower-friction contact surface than steel. It also reduces direct metal-to-metal contact between moving components.

For a carrier that operates continuously, these properties are useful for controlling contact wear and unnecessary weight.

The shape of the block is also important. It needs to fit correctly between the steel bars and provide the required supporting surface.

X-YES uses custom-molded nylon blocks for this application. Both black and white versions are available according to the carrier design.

The color is not the important part. The material, shape and dimensions are what matter mechanically.

Does the Nylon Block Increase Load Capacity?

No.

The rated load of the conveyor is determined by the complete mechanical system, including the chain, steel tray, carrier structure, shafts, bearings, drive system and frame.

The nylon blocks do not change the rated capacity.

For example, a conveyor designed for a 50 kg load remains a 50 kg conveyor after the nylon blocks are added. The blocks are there to improve long-term support, not to increase the design load.

What About the Warranty Period?

The nylon blocks are not intended to extend the warranty period.

A properly designed and maintained conveyor should operate within its specified conditions during the warranty period regardless of this feature.

The reason for adding the nylon blocks is the longer service life of the equipment.

A continuous conveyor can accumulate a large number of operating cycles over several years. Chain elongation and wear become more relevant as operating time increases. The additional support helps slow the development of excessive tray deflection under these conditions.

Normal chain tension, lubrication and maintenance are still required.

A Design Detail for Long-Term Operation

The steel bars are easy to notice because they carry the product. The nylon blocks are much smaller, but they address a different mechanical issue.

For a continuous conveyor, the design should consider not only how the machine performs when it leaves the factory, but also how the chain and tray behave after long-term operation.

That is the reason for this design detail.

The steel bars carry the load. The nylon blocks help maintain tray support as the chain wears and elongates.