Overview
EN ISO 583:2023 (ISO 583:2023) specifies standardized test methods to determine the total thickness and the thickness of constitutive elements of conveyor belts with a textile carcass. It covers measurement of covers, the textile carcass and any interlayers (material between adjoining plies). This fourth edition supersedes EN ISO 583:2007 and is adopted by CEN without modification. The standard does not apply to light conveyor belts (see ISO 21183‑1).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Test methods specifically for textile-carcass conveyor belts; excludes light conveyor belts per ISO 21183‑1.
- Apparatus: Defines required equipment, including a flat rigid baseplate and a gauge with a flat circular foot (10 mm diameter) to apply specified pressure.
- Test pieces and measurement points: Specifies how to prepare test samples and exact locations for thickness measurements to ensure repeatability.
- Procedures: Step-by-step methods for measuring:
- Total belt thickness under defined pressure and conditions.
- Cover thickness - methods when covers can be fully removed and when they cannot be removed completely.
- Carcass thickness - with and without covers.
- Interlayer thickness - methods for separable and non-separable elastomeric interlayers.
- Expression of results: Provides requirements for reporting measured values and statistical expression (recent edition added specific requirements on result expression).
- Test report: Minimum information to include in the test report (sample identification, apparatus, procedure, measurement points, results).
Practical applications and users
EN ISO 583:2023 is used to ensure consistent and comparable measurement of belt dimensions across production, testing, procurement and compliance activities. Typical users:
- Conveyor belt manufacturers - for product specification and quality control.
- Independent testing laboratories - to perform accredited thickness tests.
- Procurement and specification engineers - to verify supplier claims and ensure contract compliance.
- Maintenance and operations teams in mining, bulk materials handling, ports, and manufacturing - for acceptance testing and replacement planning.
- Certification bodies and standards committees - for conformity assessment and harmonized testing.
Benefits include improved product quality, reliable specification compliance, consistent inspection results, and reduced disputes over belt dimensions in contracts.
Related standards
- ISO 21183‑1 - referenced as the standard defining light conveyor belts (excluded from EN ISO 583:2023 scope).
- Prepared by ISO/TC 41 in collaboration with CEN/TC 188; adopted as EN ISO 583:2023 by CEN members.
Keywords: conveyor belts, textile carcass, belt thickness, test methods, EN ISO 583:2023, total belt thickness, interlayer thickness, cover thickness, testing laboratories, quality control.