Rubber Skirting

Suppresses Dust Particles
Some products that are being transported by the conveyor system may break off into smaller particles and generate dust. Without the skirting rubber, the dust particles may be released into the atmosphere and cause adverse health effects to the people around the system. Alternatively, the presence of skirting rubber allows dust particles to stay within the conveyor system. Additionally, fine materials like sand, sugar, salt, wood chips, and others are saved from being discharged out of the system.
Minimises Material Loss
Another benefit of installing skirting rubber is that it can minimise the amount of material loss during the conveyor system operations. Tons of factors can negatively affect the operations of conveyor systems. Their speed or incline angle may not be compatible with the materials that they are transporting. The materials themselves might likewise have inconsistent qualities. But no matter what conveying issues an operation has, the sealing function of the skirting rubber still allows most loads, materials, and products to arrive at their intended destinations, minimising instances of material loss and wastage.
Prevents System Damages
Aside from proper sealing of skirting rubber, it can also be utilised to prevent the conveyor systems from being damaged. The addition of the skirting rubber can keep the conveyor system components aligned as they operate and transport loads, materials, and products. Since the components will be aligned, they can effectively work without obstructing one another. The overall service life of the conveyor systems is also guaranteed to increase, while the need to clean, repair, and maintain them will be reduced.
Increases Productivity
One more benefit of installing skirting rubber is that it can improve and increase the productivity of businesses. Since skirting rubber can minimise the amount of dust particles that are released into the atmosphere, it can easily prevent employees from obtaining health issues. And as employees continue to come to work, the processes involving the conveyor system can continue. Reducing material loss and wastage can likewise achieve a higher product yield for several businesses.
Lower Cleaning Costs​
Dust pollution and material spillage and buildup require ongoing cleaning and maintenance to ensure the safe and smooth running of a conveyor system.
The lack of a conveyor skirting system will require more maintenance, which can be costly due to cleaning labour and system shutdowns. Therefore, an effective conveyor skirting system will lower overall cleaning costs.

Thickness
Skirting rubber varies from 6mm to 20mm in thickness and the application is the biggest determining factor on what thickness to choose.
Low thickness: 6-10mm. The thinner the rubber, the more flexible it is, so this type of rubber will most likely lay down like a curtain on the belt. It's mostly used for fast-moving belts carrying smaller, lighter materials such as grains and sands as you get a better seal with the product.
Medium thickness: 10-12mm. This is most commonly used thickness as it can be used laying down or on an angle depending on the belt arrangement. If being used in an upright position it will need to be correctly installed and will require support such as backing plates. This type of skirting is used in a wide variety of applications such as carrying mineral sands, woodchip, coal and recycling.
High thickness: 12-20mm. Thicker rubber is used for upright skirting rubber and can be used on an angle if the mounting plate is also on an angle. It's mostly used for slower feeder belts that have a larger volume of product and more rigidity is required.
Angle and Material Selection
We can cut skirting rubber on an angle to save belt wear when the rubber sits on an angle to the belt. We tend to use a standard range of materials, but premium ranges are also available.
Length
The length of the skirting system will depend on the angle of repose where the product starts to fall away. Working out how long it takes the product to settle from the angle of repose and ensuring the product stays in the middle of the belt will dictate the length of skirting required.
Other Factors to Consider
Support Systems: The impact area support selection will also play a part. An insufficient area of support will cause the product to get in between the belt and the skirting. Flexco can perform an audit to ensure the selected impact area support is right and whether impact beds or other accessories are required.
Accessibility: A skirting system is usually made from a higher grade clay content than the belt itself so it will wear out quicker than the belt and is therefore replaced more often than the belt. You want to ensure you have a skirting system that allows easy access for repairs – you don't want a routine maintenance task that takes so long because access is so difficult.
Rubber softness: Also bear in mind that skirting rubber is designed for dust containment, not for product containment. The skirting itself doesn't wear the belt out, it's the product getting between the skirting and the belt that wears it out. We often get asked for a softer rubber to be used in the skirting, but this won't make any difference in preventing wear. Hard skirt wear liners can be used to keep the product on the belt and these should be placed at least 3-5mm off the belt.