When it comes to conveyor-style 3D printers,the belt loop is the heart of the system. It not only supports continuous printing but also determines print surface adhesion, part flatness, and long-term reliability. Choosing the correct stainlesssteel material, thickness, and surface treatment is essential for achieving stableperformance and long service life.

Based on our extensive experience producing and testing different types of metal conveyor belt loops for 3D printers, here are our recommendations.

1. Material Selection: 301vs 304 Stainless Steel

When designing or replacing a 3D printer conveyor belt loop,the most common materials are 301stainless steel and 304 stainless steel.
Although both belong to the austenitic stainless-steel family, their mechanical
and chemical properties differ significantly.

301 Stainless Steel

· Hardness(annealed): Brinell HB201–217 / Rockwell HRB 92–96

· Composition: Higher carbon, lower nickel

· Characteristics:

o Higher tensile strength and superior wear resistance

o Suitable for continuous bending and high-load operations

o Achieves even higher hardness after cold working

Application: Ideal forconveyor belt loops requiring higher stiffness, fatigue strength, and precision
alignment.

304 Stainless Steel

· Hardness(annealed): Brinell HB170–190 / Rockwell HRB 70–90

· Composition: Higher chromium and nickel content

· Characteristics:

o Excellent corrosion resistance

o Easier to form and process

o Lower hardness compared to 301

Application: Suitable forapplications prioritizing corrosion resistance and easy maintenance rather than high mechanical strength.

Summary:
For conveyor belt loops in continuous 3D printing, 301 stainless steel isgenerally the better choice.
It provides the necessary rigidity and wear resistance while maintaining dimensional stability even after thousands of printing cycles.

2. Recommended Thickness and Bending Radius

The thickness of a stainless-steel conveyor belt loop plays a critical role in its welding strength, flexibility, and long-term durability. Choosing the right thickness helps ensure stable bending performance and extended service life for continuous 3D printing applications.

• 0.1 mm:
  This ultra-thin option is not recommended. The welding strength is low, and the belt edges tend to deform when heated, which shortens service life and affects print quality. It may be used for prototype tests, but it is not suitable for long-term production use.
• 0.2 mm:
  The most widely recommended thickness for 3D printer conveyor belts. It offers strong welds, stable bending, and an excellent balance between flexibility and durability. A minimum bending radius of 50 mm is ideal to maintain smooth motion and reliable printing performance.
• 0.3 mm:
  This thicker version provides excellent stiffness and wear resistance, making it suitable for industrial-grade or high-temperature 3D printing setups. However, it requires a larger bending radius of at least 75 mm to avoid joint stress and maintain consistent tension during operation.

By following these thickness and bending radius recommendations, users can achieve better belt alignment, longer lifespan, and consistent layer quality across different print materials.

Important:
Welding strength correlates directly with belt thickness.
Belts thinner than 0.2mm often exhibitpoor joint strength, leading to premature failure.
Meanwhile, belts thicker than 0.3mm may increase bending stress and require stronger drive rollers.

3. Surface Treatment and Production Process

The surface finish of the belt loop affects both appearanceand print adhesion.
Based on manufacturing experience, the following production process yields
optimal performance:

Recommended Process:

1. Material: 0.2 mm thick 301stainless steel

2. Joint: Diagonal seam welding to distribute stress evenly and reducewarping

3. Coating:

o Black electrophoresis for uniformsurface and corrosion protection

o Followed by black PEI or epoxy resin spray coating to improve adhesion and visualconsistency

o Golden PEI powder-textured coating is also popular among users who prefer a gold surface instead of black.

Advantages:

· The electrophoresis layer hides welding traces, resulting in a clean, matte appearance.

· PEI or epoxy coatings enhance surface adhesion and wearresistance.

4. Practical Tips for Engineers and Makers

· Keep the welding area smooth and level to ensure consistent print adhesion.

· Avoid overheating the belt during installation, excessive heatmay alter tension and alignment.

· If the printer operates at high temperatures (>120 °C), choose PEI-coated 301 stainless steel belts for optimal performance.

· Perform routine cleaning with IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and avoid abrasive pads.

Conclusion

Selecting the right 3D printer conveyor belt loop material is not just about durability, it’s about print precision,surface quality, and long-term stability. For most industrial and maker-grade continuous 3D printers, 0.2 mm 301 stainless steel,diagonally welded and coated with black PEI, offers the best performance-to-cost ratio. For users who prefer a brighter surface, golden PEI powder-textured coatings are also a popular option.

Contact Us

At Lankeda,we provide customized conveyor belt loops with various surfacecoatings — including black PEI textured, golden PEI powder-textured,epoxy, and satin engineering finishes — designed for both industrial-gradeand consumer-level3D printers.

If you’re looking for a reliable solution for continuous 3D printing, feelfree to contact us at sales@lankeda.com to discuss your specific application requirements. We’re always ready to provide tailored solutions that meet your 3D printing needs.