# Tri-flex

> Tri-Flex is a stainless steel conveyor belt by Tribelt that runs straight or through curves: spiral freezer and cooler towers, pasteurisers, smokers, cookers.

- URL: https://tribelt.jorisjonkers.dev/en/conveyor-belts/tri-flex
- Adapted from the official page: https://www.tribelt.nl/en/conveyor-belts/tri-flex
- This is a student test site for a university project on digital strategy, made with Tribelt's permission. It is not Tribelt's official website, which is tribelt.nl.

## What Tri-Flex is

Tri-Flex is a stainless steel spiral-capable conveyor belt made by Tribelt in Haaksbergen, the Netherlands, used for freezing, cooling, pasteurising, smoking and cooking food. The belt is built from hinged links: on a straight conveyor it behaves like a normal belt, and on a spiral or curved conveyor the links collapse on the inside of the bend so the belt turns smoothly. Tribelt handles the whole chain itself, from design and strength calculation to production.

## Specifications

- **Crossrod pitch:** 19.05 mm, 27.4 mm or 38.1 mm (fixed sizes)
- **Turn ratio:** minimum 1.1, maximum 2.5
- **Crossrod wire:** 4.9 or 6.0 mm
- **Spiral overlay wire:** none, or 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.6 mm in mild steel or spring steel
- **Mesh pitch:** 3.0 to 25.4 mm
- **Materials:** AISI 304 links with AISI 301 spiral wire, or AISI 316L links with AISI 316 spiral wire
- **Width:** 270 to 1,400 mm in spiral towers; 270 to 2,000 mm on straight runs
- **Temperature:** -50 °C to 100 °C in spiral towers; cryogenic up to about 400 °C on straight runs
- Optional integrated side guards, round recesses in the links for a better contact surface, and pigtail ends for secure positioning

## Applications

Tri-Flex is chosen wherever food has to be heated or chilled under control. Typical processes are cooling, freezing, pasteurising, smoking and cooking. Because the belt bends, it is the natural fit for spiral freezers and spiral coolers, where a long belt path fits into a small footprint. It works just as well on straight lines, for instance in liquid nitrogen shock freezers.

## Benefits

- Turns through tight radii thanks to the flexible link design
- One belt type for both spiral and straight systems
- Hygienic: no wire ends sticking out, which suits food contact
- Precise manufacturing for a consistent finish and long life
- The belt can be flipped to gain extra service life
- Fully engineered to the installation, including strength calculations

## Options

- Spiral overlay with variable pitch and wire gauge
- One-sided weaving for small pitches (below 4.25 mm)
- Several stainless steel material pairings
- Integrated side guards for product guidance
- Support by radial strips (spiral) or a herringbone layout (straight)
- Custom welding and finishing

## Drive

Tri-Flex combines drum friction with purpose-built drive sprockets. Tribelt machines those sprockets itself: 12 to 24 teeth is the usual recommendation, widths are typically 45 to 55 mm (other widths on request) and materials include POM, PE1000, AISI 303 and AISI 1045, with or without keyway or tapped hole. A wrap angle of up to about 180° gives a firm grip. Sprockets sit on the drive shaft and, where needed, on extra shafts that correct the belt's direction. Getting the balance right between drum speed and sprocket speed (the overdrive) is what keeps a spiral system running without trouble.

Read more in the knowledge article [Tri-Flex: production, application and expertise](https://tribelt.jorisjonkers.dev/en/knowledge-centre/tri-flex-production-application-and-expertise) or see all [drive elements](https://tribelt.jorisjonkers.dev/en/conveyor-belts/drive-elements).

## Specifications

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Crossrod pitch | 19.05, 27.4 or 38.1 mm |
| Turn ratio | 1.1–2.5 |
| Crossrod wire diameter | 4.9 / 6.0 mm |
| Spiral (overlay) wire diameter | none, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 mm |
| Mesh pitch | 3.0–25.4 mm |
| Belt width, spiral tower | 270–1400 mm |
| Belt width, straight run | 270–2000 mm |
| Temperature, spiral tower | -50 to 100 °C |
| Temperature, straight run | cryogenic to approx. 400 °C |
| Materials | AISI 304 links with AISI 301 spiral wire, AISI 316L links with AISI 316 spiral wire |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Tri-Flex?

Tri-Flex is a stainless steel conveyor belt made by Tribelt in Haaksbergen, the Netherlands. Its hinged links let it run straight and also turn through curves, so it is used in spiral freezing and cooling towers, pasteurisers, smokehouses and cooking lines.

### What temperature range does Tri-Flex cover?

In spiral towers Tri-Flex is specified from -50 °C to +100 °C. On straight runs it works from cryogenic conditions, such as liquid nitrogen shock freezing, up to roughly 400 °C.

### Which materials are used?

Links in AISI 304 with AISI 301 spiral wire, or links in AISI 316L with AISI 316 spiral wire. Both combinations resist corrosion and suit hygienic food production.

### Why choose Tri-Flex?

One belt can combine straight and curved sections, it carries high loads, has no protruding wire ends, handles up to 400 °C on straight runs and can be turned over to extend its life. Tribelt also offers engineering advice and on-site installation support.

### Is every Tri-Flex belt made to order?

Yes. Width, wire gauge, overlay pitch, material and drive are all chosen for the specific freezer, cooler or thermal line. Design, engineering and production all happen at Tribelt in Haaksbergen, which keeps lead times short.

[Request a Tri-Flex quote on tribelt.nl](https://www.tribelt.nl/en/conveyor-belts/tri-flex)