Conveyor belt construction using low-cost materials

Abstract

A low-cost table-top conveyer belt (10 cm wide x 40 cm long) was constructed at Central Mindanao University (CMU) as a learning activity for junior university students. The belt system was made to increase student appreciation involving concepts of mechanics, electronics, gravitation, materials strength, motors and computer programming. Most of the items used are cheap and readily available in a rural Philippine setting which can be easily replicated in various parts of the country. An Arduino was used to control the belt's speed and direction. The belt system was tested with different weights of rocks to test its durability.