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Before You Ask For A Quote

How to Measure Your Old Filter Belt

Measure the old belt properly and photograph the right details, and we can answer with engineering instead of three rounds of questions. Seven steps and six photos: dimensions go straight into the engineering RFQ form, and photos can be attached to the form or to your reply to the confirmation email.

Start the seven stepsAlready measured? Send it

Measuring your old belt is how a replacement vacuum belt filter cloth actually gets specified: the width, the length, the joint, the edge finish and the machine nameplate are what turn a request into something a factory can build. The old belt is the most reliable source of its own size there is — more reliable than an order from three years ago, and more reliable than a catalogue entry for a machine that has been rebuilt since.

A

The old belt is the drawing

It carries the real width, the real length after service, the joint that was fitted and how the edges were running. Nothing else on site tells you all five.

B

The nameplate is a cross-check

Brand and model let us sanity-check your dimensions against the machine. If the plate is gone, we work from the belt — it is not a blocker.

C

Photos answer what numbers cannot

Joint construction, edge condition and where the failure started are all read off photographs. Six of them cover it.

Export packaging and crating setup for a wide synthetic filter belt roll wrapped in protective moisture barrier film and strapped in a heavy-duty wooden shipping crate.
Export crating reference: heavy filter belt roll sealed in protective barrier wrap and secured in a reinforced timber crate for international transport. Illustration
When You Have This Package

When you have this package, use the Engineering RFQ

Send one complete set — not a photo-only email and a later measurement chase:

  • Width at three points (mm) and length/circumference (measured or derived)
  • Seam photos, both faces · both edges · nameplate (or write unknown)
  • What you are filtering, and what failed on the last cloth
Open the Engineering RFQ → Need the short form first?

Prefer email? Attach the same package to rfq@hvbfcloth.com. Engineering RFQ is closer when you already have machine and belt facts.

Before You Start

What to take with you

Machine stopped, isolated and tagged out before any of this. None of these steps are worth doing on a running filter.

Tape measure

Long enough to reach across the full belt width in one run, and to walk the belt length.

Phone camera

Every step that asks for a photo produces reference images to attach to the engineering RFQ form, or to your reply to the confirmation email (or send to rfq@hvbfcloth.com).

Torch

Joints and nameplates are usually in the worst-lit part of the machine.

Chalk or tape

Mark your starting point on an endless belt so you know where one lap ends.

Technical illustration of a synthetic filter belt laid flat on a stainless steel inspection table with a metric steel ruler measuring belt width across the cloth, showing clipper seam hooks and reinforced selvedge edge.
Measurement setup: verifying belt width with a metric steel rule, inspecting clipper seam joint and reinforced selvedge edge. Illustration
Where belt width and developed length are measured Left: a plan view of the belt face. Width is measured across the cloth, perpendicular to the direction of travel, at three separate points along the belt. The joint runs across the full width, and each edge is recorded separately. Right: a side view of the belt as an endless loop around two rollers. Developed length is measured by marking a start point and following the cloth for one complete lap, not by taking the distance between roller centres. Width — measured across the cloth face Plan view, looking down at the belt Measure at three points W Joint, across the full width Edge Edge Direction of travel Take the tape along the cloth face, not as a straightchord across a sagging belt. If the three figures differ,send all three — that difference is information. Developed length — one full lap Side view of the endless belt Chalk mark One full lap Not the roller centre distance Mark a start point, then follow the cloth for one wholelap back to the mark. A used belt has stretched: sendwhat you measure today and say it is off a used belt —do not correct it yourself.
The two dimensions every quotation starts from. Everything else can be worked out from photographs; these two have to be measured.
The Seven Steps

Measure it once, properly

Each step shows what it produces and which field on the engineering form it fills. Work down the list and the form fills itself.

  1. 01

    Measure the width

    Measure across the cloth face, perpendicular to the direction of travel. Take the measurement at three points along the belt and write down all three — if they differ, the belt has been pulled out of shape and we need to know that.

    You produce Width in mm, at three points
    Fills form field cloth_width_mm (E3)

    Common mistakeDo not pull the tape as a straight chord across a sagging belt. Let the tape follow the cloth face.

  2. 02

    Measure the length or circumference

    On an endless belt, mark a start point with chalk or tape, then walk the tape along the belt for one full lap back to the mark. If the belt cannot be turned, take the roll centre distances and say clearly that the figure is derived, not measured.

    You produce Length in mm, and whether it is measured or derived
    Fills form field cloth_length_mm (E4)

    Common mistakeA used belt has usually stretched. Send what you measure today and tell us it is a used belt — do not correct it yourself.

  3. 03

    Identify the joint

    Work out which of the four joint types you have: clipper hooks joined by a pin, a PAD seam worked into the fabric, interlocking spirals with a pintle wire, or a lapped and bonded joint. If you are not sure, photograph it and let us identify it.

    You produce Joint type, plus close-up photos of both faces
    How to submit Upload to Seam photo slot in RFQ form (or send to rfq@hvbfcloth.com)

    Common mistakeOne photo of one face is not enough. The failure is often only visible from the other side.

  4. 04

    Look at the edges

    Note how the edges are finished and how worn they are. Photograph both edges, and say which is the drive side as you face the discharge end.

    You produce Edge condition photos, left and right
    How to submit Upload to Edge / tracking slot in RFQ form (or send to rfq@hvbfcloth.com)

    Common mistakePhotograph the edge before you cut the belt off the machine — edge damage tells us how it was running.

  5. 05

    Copy the machine nameplate

    Brand, model and serial number, exactly as printed. If the plate is gone or unreadable, that is fine — the form accepts unknown, and the belt dimensions carry the job.

    You produce Machine brand and model, or unknown
    Fills form field equipment_brand / equipment_model (or upload plate photo) (E1 / E2)

    Common mistakeLight the plate from an angle. A straight flash usually washes out the stamped text.

  6. 06

    Record perforation or drainage detail

    If the cloth is perforated or has a defined drainage zone, photograph it against something that gives scale, and note where the zone starts relative to the edge.

    You produce Photos of the perforation or drainage zone
    How to submit Upload to Old cloth photo slot in RFQ form (or send to rfq@hvbfcloth.com)

    Common mistakeShoot square-on, not at an angle — hole spacing is impossible to read from a slanted photo.

  7. 07

    Vertical pressure filters: the plate

    Vertical pressure filters only

    On a tower press or stacked pressure filter, the plate is what defines the cloth. Record the filtration area per plate and the plate dimensions, from the machine data sheet where you have it.

    You produce Plate area in m2 and plate dimensions
    Fills form field plate_area_m2 (E5)

    Common mistakeThis step only applies to vertical pressure filters. On a vacuum belt filter, skip it.

Measurement to form field, in one table

Step What you send Where it goes Submission route
01 Width in mm, three points cloth_width_mm Form field (E3)
02 Length in mm, measured or derived cloth_length_mm Form field (E4)
03 Joint type and close-ups of both faces Note joint in form & upload to Seam slot Direct upload / email
04 Edge condition photos Upload to Edge / tracking slot Direct upload / email
05 Machine brand and model, or unknown equipment_brand & upload Nameplate slot Form field + upload
06 Perforation or drainage zone photos Upload to Old cloth / GA slot Direct upload / email
07 Plate area in m2 (vertical pressure filters) plate_area_m2 Form field (E5)

No filter cloth specification figures are published on this page.

Photo Checklist

Six photos before you leave the machine

Tick them off as you take them. Nothing here is stored or uploaded from this page — it is a scratch list for your own use while you are standing at the filter.

Use the same six ticks on the printable worksheet — do not substitute a different photo set in the field.

New installation with no old cloth? Tick the new project option on the form and send the machine model plus any drawing or data sheet you have instead. You will not be blocked for not having an old belt to photograph.
Field Engineering Tool

Printable Field Measurement Worksheet

Taking measurements at the filter? Use this standardized A4 clipboard worksheet to record widths, take-up stroke, seam fastener pitch, and slurry data directly at the machine.

Download A4 PDF
hvbfcloth.com · Field Measurement & Verification Protocol Form Ref: M6-HVBF-WORKSHEET
Plant / Mill Name:
___________________________
Unit Tag / Filter ID:
___________________________
Machine Brand:
___________________________
Machine Model:
___________________________
Inspection Date:
___________________________
1. Dimensional Verification (Physical Cloth, Not Roller)
Width 1 (Feed End):
________ mm
Width 2 (Mid Zone):
________ mm
Width 3 (Discharge):
________ mm
Total Circumferential Length:
________ mm ([ ] Measured / [ ] Derived)
Take-Up Carriage Position:
[ ] Retracted (0%) [ ] Mid (~50%) [ ] Extended
2. Seam & Edge Specification
Joint Architecture:
[ ] Clipper [ ] PAD [ ] Spiral [ ] Welded
Clipper / fastener metal (if known — otherwise leave blank and rely on seam photos):
[ ] Unknown / not readable [ ] Stainless (grade if known: ________ ) [ ] Other: ________
Do not guess. Seam metallurgy for the replacement is confirmed in engineering review of your machine and slurry — not from this worksheet alone.
Clipper row pitch (optional, if you can measure a 10-hook span):
________ mm / Pin: [ ] PEEK [ ] Nylon [ ] Steel
Edge Tracking Profile:
[ ] Plain [ ] Hot-melt PU Bead [ ] PVC Bead
3. Slurry & Operating Parameters
Filtered Material:
___________________________
Operating Temp:
________ °C
Slurry pH:
________
4. Photo Checklist (Tick When Captured)
[ ] Photo 1: Old cloth on the machine (wide — cloth, frame, run) [ ] Photo 2: Joint / seam, top face (close-up; include failure if present) [ ] Photo 3: Joint / seam, underside [ ] Photo 4: Both edges, labelled left and right [ ] Photo 5: Machine nameplate (lit from an angle) [ ] Photo 6: Perforation or drainage zone if present (square-on) — or the failure area if something has failed and there is no perforation zone
Submit online at https://hvbfcloth.com/rfq/engineering/ or email to rfq@hvbfcloth.com. Independent replacement cloth — not an OEM spare part. Dimensions and construction are confirmed per enquiry.
FAQ

Measuring questions worth settling first

How do I measure the length of an endless belt?

Mark a start point on the belt with chalk or tape, turn the belt one full lap by hand or by inching the drive with the machine isolated and permitted, and measure along the cloth back to your mark. If the belt cannot be turned, give us the roll centre distances instead and say that the figure is derived rather than measured — we will work with it.

The belt has stretched. Do I send the measured size or the original size?

Send what you measure today, and tell us the belt is used. Do not apply a correction of your own — if you also have the original order size or the machine data sheet, send both figures and let us reconcile them.

There is no nameplate on the machine. Can you still quote?

Yes. Put unknown in the brand and model fields. The belt dimensions and the photos carry most of the engineering work — the nameplate only makes the check faster.

This is a new installation and there is no old cloth. What do I send?

Tick the new project option on the form and send the machine model and whatever drawings or data sheet you have instead. The form does not force you to produce an old belt you do not have.

These answers provide engineering guidance based on mechanical and chemical filtration principles. For specific machine parameters, submit your operating data to our technical desk.

Send It

Send your measurements and photos

One form, one set of facts. No account, no registration, and you can say unknown wherever you genuinely do not know.

The photographs can go on the form or on your reply. The engineering RFQ form takes the joint, edge and nameplate photographs you have just taken as attachments. Attach up to 8 files (each up to 3.5 MB; keep the combined total under about 3 MB). For larger files, reply to the confirmation email and attach them there. You can also email them directly to rfq@hvbfcloth.com.

Submit measurements on engineering form Just have a quick question?

Independent replacement cloth — not an OEM spare part. Dimensions and construction are confirmed per enquiry.

Related

Came here from a fault?

Belt Tracking

The cloth drifts, wrinkles or needs constant re-centering. Cloth, machine and process causes, split out.

Read →

Joint / Seam Failure

The joint leaks, opens or pulls out, and vacuum drops as it passes the box.

Read →

Horizontal Vacuum Belt Filter Cloth

Endless belts for rubber-belt HVBF machines.

Read →

Vertical Pressure Filter Cloth

Tower press and stacked pressure filter cloth, low-elongation endless construction.

Read →

All filtration problems →

Last updated: 2026-10-18 · Version: v1.2

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