There is no single "metal mesh belt". There are families, each built for a kind of machine, and we build 12 of them.
Choose a metal conveyor belt from the machine and the process, not from a catalogue picture. Spirals need spiral or self-stacking belts, flat lines need flat wire, woven, eye link or trapezoidal belts, heavy loads may need chain-carried belts, and ovens need bakery belts. Then confirm pitch, wire, edge and drive on a drawing.
We are YIYI Mesh Belt (Ningjin Yiyi Mesh Belt Co., Ltd.), a manufacturer of engineered metal conveyor belts for equipment manufacturers, professional distributors and industrial end users, based in Ningjin, Shandong, China. Our manufacturing experience dates back to 1998; the current company was established in 2008. I am Sunny Ye. This guide replaces four older general articles on choosing conveyor belting, belt innovations and specifications. It maps our 12 official product families to the machines they serve.
At a Glance
| Spiral and turning | Spiral Freezer Belt, Self-Stacking Belt, Side Driven Belt |
|---|---|
| Flat and open | Flat Wire / Honeycomb Belt, Balanced Weave Belt, Compound Weave Belt, Eye Link Belt, Trapezoidal Mesh Belt |
| Chain-carried | Chain Driven Belt, Chain Plate / Plate Link Belt |
| Bakery and ovens | Biscuit Belt |
| Drive | Drive Sprockets and Related Conveyor Components |
Where Should Belt Selection Start?
Belt selection starts with the machine and the process: what the conveyor does, the path the belt follows, how it is driven, what it carries and how it is cleaned. Material, width and length come later. A belt chosen from a picture or a name can fit the frame and still fail in the process.
| Question | What it decides |
|---|---|
| Does the belt run straight, turn or spiral? | Flat family or spiral family |
| How is it driven: drum, sprockets, chains, friction? | Edge and drive design |
| What does it carry, and how heavy? | Pitch, wire, rods, reinforcement |
| Does air, heat or water need to pass through? | Open mesh or solid surface |
| How is it cleaned? | Structure and material |
| Is it new, a replacement or a spare? | Which evidence the drawing comes from |
The older articles merged into this guide talked about "durability" and "innovations" in general terms. That does not help a buyer choose. The questions above do.
Sunny's view: When someone asks me for "a stainless mesh belt", my first question is: for which machine?
Which Belts Run in Spirals and Turning Conveyors?
Three families run in spirals and turns. A Spiral Freezer Belt runs on a drum-driven spiral with support rails. A Self-Stacking Belt carries the tier above through its stack plates. A Side Driven Belt is driven from the side in turning and spiral systems. Turn ratio and machine geometry decide which one fits.
| Family | Key references | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Spiral Freezer Belt | Turn ratio 1.10–2.5 (1.1 for small turning radius); width 300–2,900 mm | How to choose |
| Self-Stacking Belt | Guard height 60–120 mm; turn ratio 1.6 / 1.7; rod-end gap 1–2 mm | What it is |
| Side Driven Belt | Turn ratio 1.63; rod pitch 31.75 / 34 mm; width 300–1,100 mm | Specifications |
These belts are not interchangeable. Each fits a specific spiral or turning design, and the approved drawing for that machine controls the final belt.
Sunny's view: For any spiral, send the drum diameter or the inside turning radius first. Width alone cannot select a spiral belt.
Which Belts Suit Flat and Open Conveying?
For straight conveyors, five families cover most needs. Flat Wire / Honeycomb Belt gives a very open, light surface. Balanced Weave and Compound Weave Belts give closer woven support. Eye Link Belt gives an open, chain-edged belt for wet lines. Trapezoidal Mesh Belt serves enrobing and fine structured conveying.
| Family | Typical role | Key references |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Wire / Honeycomb Belt | Cooling, transfer, washing, baking | Pitch 12.7–40 mm; flat strip 1.2×9.5 to 2.8×16 mm; width 200–4,000 mm |
| Balanced Weave Belt | General woven support, heating and cooling | Spiral pitch 2.8–40 mm; spiral wire 1–3.2 mm; width 200–5,000 mm |
| Compound Weave Belt | Dense woven surface for small products | Spiral pitch 6–20 mm; spiral wire 1.2–3 mm; width 200–3,000 mm |
| Eye Link Belt | Open, wet conveying with chain edges | Rod pitch 25.4–76.2 mm; width 300–3,000 mm |
| Trapezoidal Mesh Belt | Enrobing and fine structured conveying | Pitch 4–23.8 mm; wire 1–2.8 mm; width 76–2,352 mm |
All are reference ranges. Pitch, wire, rods and edge are confirmed together for your product and machine. For the eye link family, read eye link belts in seafood and food processing; for trapezoidal belts, trapezoidal mesh belts in chocolate coating.
Sunny's view: The smallest product usually decides between an open flat wire belt and a closer woven belt. Send me that size.
When Do You Need a Chain-Carried Belt?
Choose a chain-carried belt when the load, width or line length needs side chains to carry the drive force. A Chain Driven Belt hangs mesh between two chains. A Chain Plate / Plate Link Belt carries metal plates on chains for a solid or perforated surface. Belt, chain and sprocket are reviewed as one system.
| Family | Typical role | Key references |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Driven Belt | Heavier or wider mesh conveying, inclines | Chain pitch 12.7–63.5 mm; width 300–5,000 mm |
| Chain Plate / Plate Link Belt | Firm surface for small, heavy or sharp items | Plate pitch 25.4–63.5 mm; plate 1–2.5 mm; width 300–4,000 mm |
Read how to choose the chain for a chain driven belt and when a chain plate belt fits.
A chain model number alone does not fix pitch, material or sprocket, and plate pitch is not the same as chain pitch. Both are confirmed on the drawing.
Sunny's view: If a chain-carried belt is a replacement, the sprocket photo matters as much as the belt photo.
Which Belts Serve Bakery Ovens and Drive Systems?
Bakery and oven belts sit in our Biscuit Belt family, which is selected project by project from the oven, the old belt and the drawing. Every family also depends on the drive, so we supply Drive Sprockets and Related Conveyor Components matched to the belt, shaft and machine on a project basis.
Biscuit Belt: covers bakery and oven belts, including thin flattened mesh belts. We do not publish a fixed model list; the belt is confirmed from the actual oven, the old belt where one exists and the drawing. Read which metal belt fits each stage of a bakery line.
Drive Sprockets and Related Conveyor Components: sprockets, spare sections, rods, spiral wire, side guards and other parts, matched to the belt. Sprocket manufacturing is a specialist process carried out under our specifications, and we control the specification and the finished-product inspection.
Belts and drives wear together. When a belt is replaced, review the sprockets, drum bars and supports at the same time.
Sunny's view: A new belt on old sprockets is the most common reason a replacement wears out early.
How Do Edges Affect the Choice?
The edge holds the belt together at the sides, carries tension in turns and meets the guides and drive. Common edges include welded, clinched, button, flat-hat and rod-welded types on wire belts, and roller chain or plates on chain-carried belts. The right edge depends on the family, the machine and the old belt.
| Family | Edge references |
|---|---|
| Spiral Freezer Belt | Button, flat-hat, rod welded, button cap, clinched |
| Flat Wire / Honeycomb Belt | Washer welded, clinched, rod welded |
| Balanced Weave Belt | Welded, clinched |
| Trapezoidal Mesh Belt | SLE (single-loop) or DLE (double-loop) |
| Eye Link Belt | Roller chain, reinforced plate |
| Chain Plate / Plate Link Belt | Washer welded or cotter pin retention |
One of the older articles merged here compared edge types in general terms, including "molded" edges that do not apply to metal belts. The table above lists the edges in our references. For photos, see edge finishes.
Sunny's view: Photograph both edges of the old belt straight on. Edges are where replacement mistakes start.
What Should You Send for a Quote?
Send the machine and process, whether the belt is new, a replacement or a spare, width and length, pitch and wire or rod sizes if known, edge and drive photos, material, and a drawing or old belt sample. Photos support a preliminary quote; a sample or drawing confirms the design before production.
- Machine type and what the belt does
- New, replacement or spare
- Width, length, and carrying width if different
- Pitch, wire and rod sizes, measured over several pitches
- Photos of the surface, both edges and the drive
- Product, load, temperature and cleaning
- Material, if known
- Drawing or a short section of the old belt
For formal custom orders, we prepare a drawing for your approval, run trial production and a complete first article, and inspect every belt before packing. Lead time is confirmed per order. For replacements, read what parameters you need to replace a metal wire belt.
If you are not sure which family you have, send photos anyway. Identifying the family from a clear photo is usually the first, quick step.
Sunny's view: You do not need to know the family name. Send photos and the machine, and I will tell you which family it is.
When This Is Not the Right Approach
This guide covers metal conveyor belts. Plastic modular belts and fabric or rubber belts are not part of our range, and some machines are designed for them. If your machine was built for another belt type, changing to metal needs the equipment builder's review.
A guide also cannot replace a drawing. Reference ranges show what we make; the belt for your machine is confirmed on an approved drawing.
From Our Engineering Experience
Most inquiries we receive name a belt by a local or historical name. Our first step is always to identify the family from photos, then ask for the machine data that family needs. Using the 12 official names keeps quotes comparable and avoids mix-ups between similar-looking belts.
Core belt forming, assembly, welding and quality control for all these families are managed in our own factory, with selected specialist processes and components sourced under our specifications.
FAQ
How many metal belt families does YIYI make?
Twelve official product families, from Spiral Freezer Belt to Drive Sprockets and Related Conveyor Components.
How do I know which family my belt is?
Send clear photos of the surface, both edges and the drive. The family can usually be identified from photos.
Which belt is used in spiral freezers?
A Spiral Freezer Belt on drum-driven spirals, or a Self-Stacking Belt on self-stacking spirals.
Do you make plastic modular belts?
No. Our range covers metal conveyor belts and related components.
What should I send for a quote?
Machine and process, width and length, pitch and wire sizes if known, edge and drive photos, material, and a drawing or sample.
Conclusion
Start from the machine and process, pick the family, then confirm pitch, wire, edge and drive on a drawing. Send photos if you are unsure.
Not sure which belt you need?
Send photos of your belt and machine, with width and the product. We identify the family and tell you what else we need to quote.
Open the belt selection guide →WhatsApp Sunny📄 Spiral Freezer Belt RFQ Application Sheet (PDF) · Email: info@yiyimeshbelt.com
Related reading: How to choose a spiral freezer belt · Eye link belts in seafood processing · Parameters to replace a metal wire belt · All 12 product families (yiyimeshbelts.com)
Product pages: Wire mesh conveyor belt types (specifications, photos and quote request)
Sunny Ye
Global Sales Director, YIYI Mesh Belt · 15 years in metal conveyor belt projects
I work with spiral freezer builders, distributors and plant teams on belt selection and replacement. Questions about this article? Send them to me directly.
Follow Sunny on LinkedIn · Last updated: 2026-10-15
