Quick answer: the Veybelt OPB series is a 50.8 mm (2 in) pitch, 16 mm thick plastic modular belt rated at 17,600 N/m in PP. No other series in our range gives you five surfaces: flat top (closed), perforated flat top, reinforced flush grid (14.5% open), flush grid (20% open) and large open grid (29% open). All five engage the same OPB sprockets (8 / 10 / 12 teeth), so moving up or down the open-area ladder later is a belt swap, not a conveyor rebuild.
What is the OPB series?
OPB is our heavy-duty straight-running platform. The long 50.8 mm pitch and 16 mm module thickness are aimed at cases, crates, washdown processing and anywhere durability counts for more than a fine transfer gap. Widths build in multiples of 152.4 mm and can be trimmed in 16.9 mm steps. Modules are injection molded in PP or PE and brick-layed on hinge rods; a fork truck strike or a jammed crate costs you a few modules and an hour, not a belt.
| Pitch | 50.8 mm (2 in) |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 16 mm |
| Belt strength | 17,600 N/m (PP) |
| Standard width | Multiples of 152.4 mm (increments of 16.9 mm) |
| Materials | PP / PE |
| Standard colors | White, Natural, Blue, Grey |
| Drive | Positive sprocket drive, 8 / 10 / 12 teeth |
Choose your surface: the five OPB variants
Read the OPB line as an open-area ladder: 0%, perforated, 14.5%, 20%, 29%. More opening drains and cools better but leaves less plastic under the product. The reinforced grid is the exception; it gives some opening back in exchange for rib-stiffened load capacity.
| Variant | Open area | Best for | Avoid when |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPB Flat Top | 0% (closed) | Cases, totes and packaged goods on a closed 16 mm deck; spillage stays on the belt instead of in the frame | Anything has to drain, dry or be hosed through the belt |
| OPB Perforated Flat Top | Round perforations | Rinsing and dewatering crates and trays that want full surface contact, with holes to let the water out | Open area is the actual requirement; go to flush grid or large open grid instead |
| OPB Reinforced Flush Grid | 14.5% | Heavy unit loads that still need to drain; the ribs stiffen the module under load, which is what you pay the lost open area for | Drainage or airflow matters more to the process than extra rigidity |
| OPB Flush Grid | 20% | Everyday washdown and processing duty; the middle of the ladder, decent drainage with even support | Loads are heavy enough to want the reinforced grid, or the line needs all the airflow it can get |
| OPB Large Open Grid | 29% | Hard rinsing, cooling and drip sections where the most open surface in the series earns its keep | Product is small enough to sit down into the openings or catch an edge on them |
A practical way to choose: take the most open surface your product footprint safely rides on. Small or soft footprint, stay closed or perforated. Ordinary washdown, flush grid at 20%. Heavy loads over a grid, reinforced. Cooling and heavy rinsing, large open grid at 29%.
Matching sprockets
Every OPB surface runs on the same OPB series sprockets. They are molded POM (acetal), a low-friction, wear-resistant pairing for PP and PE belts:
- Teeth options: 8 / 10 / 12 teeth. On a 50.8 mm pitch the pitch diameter grows fast with tooth count, and more teeth run smoother, so fit the largest sprocket your shaft height allows.
- Bore types: square bore self-centers and is what most people order; round bore and bushing inserts handle worn or odd-size shafts.
- How many per shaft: a sprocket every 100–150 mm of width is a sound starting point. Fix the middle sprocket to the shaft and let the others float; the belt has to expand somewhere when temperature moves.
Accessories for a complete OPB conveyor
- Flights: vertical cleats for incline/decline sections, listed compatible with the OPB series in 50 / 102 / 150 mm heights.
- Side guards: flexible sidewalls that hold product on inclines and narrow belts, available for OPB.
- Hinge rods: spares for module replacement and belt repair.
- Return wheels and pressure rollers: return-path support and incline hold-down.
- Bearing bushings and bushing inserts: sprocket axial positioning and bore-to-shaft adaptation.
How to spec your OPB order
Once we have the points below, the confirmation comes back as a complete bill of materials:
- Surface style (flat top / perforated / reinforced flush grid / flush grid / large open grid) and material (PP or PE)
- Belt width (built in multiples of 152.4 mm, fine-tuned in 16.9 mm increments) and conveyor length (center-to-center)
- Product weight and speed, ambient/washdown temperature
- Shaft size, so the sprocket bores (square, round or bushing) come out right
- Accessories: flights (height and spacing), side guards, spare hinge rods
Request an OPB series quote. You buy from the manufacturing base that molds it; custom widths in standard module multiples.
Related reading
- How to Select the Right Plastic Modular Belt
- Understanding Modular Belt Naming Conventions
- Thermal Expansion in Plastic Modular Belts
- Series 986 Modular Belt Buyer's Guide (25.4 mm pitch, higher strength in POM)
- Series 5935 Modular Belt Buyer's Guide (19.05 mm fine-pitch platform)
