Receive
Receive from the sander
Powered receiving rollers accept the work as it exits the wide belt sander.
Doucet BTWB3
DOUCET MACHINERIES
BTWB3 Return Conveyor for Wide Belt Sanders
Doucet BTWB3 is a modular return-conveyor system built specifically around wide belt sanders. Five roller-length models—BTWB3-24, BTWB3-30, BTWB3-36, BTWB3-48 and BTWB3-60—share the receiving, lateral-transfer and powered-return architecture, with standard 5-foot receiving and 15-foot return conveyor lengths that can be extended for the application.
BTWB3-24 / 30 / 36 / 48 / 60Wide belt sander return5' standard receiving15' standard return2" basic height rangeSTWB staging option
Production problem
Wide belt sanding can send panels away from the loading operator, creating a repeated receive-and-return handling loop.
Machine mechanism
Receiving rollers lower after trailing-edge detection; nested transfer belts side-shift the work onto powered return rollers.
Sander interface
Optional motorized receiving-height adjustment follows changes in the sander table or pass height.
5 roller-length models
5' standard receiving
15' standard return
Trailing-edge detection
Automatic-height option
STWB staging table
Start with the production problem
Bring sanded parts back to the loading side without turning return handling into a second bottleneck.
BTWB3 receives the work from the sander, lowers the receiving section after the trailing edge clears, transfers the work sideways and returns it on a parallel powered conveyor.
Detect
Detect the trailing edge
Trailing-edge detection initiates the receiving-table lowering sequence after the part clears.
Transfer
Shift laterally
Transfer belts nested between the rollers move the work sideways toward the parallel return section.
Return
Return to the operator
After lateral transfer, the work returns while the receiving table resets for the next part.
Application fit
Best fit: wide belt sanding cells that benefit from a parallel material return.
BTWB3 is sized around the actual sander, part envelope, pass height, return-flow direction, conveyor-length requirement and operator workflow.
Strong fit
Wide belt sanders
BTWB3 is specifically configured as a return conveyor for wide belt sanding cells.
Workflow
Repeat panel sanding
Useful where parts need another pass, another face or a controlled return to the loading operator.
Option fit
Variable sander table height
The motorized height option is intended for sanders whose working table or pass height changes.
Option fit
Buffered manual loading
STWB gives the loading operator a staging buffer for several parts ahead of the sander.
Select the BTWB3 from the sander backwards
The host sander and actual part mix define the final conveyor package.
Model selection starts with the real process: sander geometry, workpiece envelope, operator side, return path, height movement and required buffering.
Define the sander
Manufacturer/model, conveyor or pass height, table-height movement, feed direction and processing speed.
Define the workpieces
Actual minimum and maximum L × W × T, weight, material and surface/finish process.
Define return flow
Where the operator loads and unloads, whether pieces need staging, and any repeat-pass workflow.
Choose roller length
Select BTWB3-24 / 30 / 36 / 48 / 60 from the confirmed application and workpiece width requirement.
Close height + length
Confirm standard or extended receiving/return lengths, automatic height range and STWB staging requirements.
Machine architecture / work cycle
Receive → lower → side-shift → retract → return.
The BTWB3 transfer path is built around receiving rollers, nested transfer belts and powered return rollers.
Receive
1 — Receive
The part exits the wide belt sander onto the BTWB3 receiving rollers.
Lower
2 — Lower
Trailing-edge detection initiates the receiving-table down stroke.
Side shift
3 — Transfer
Nested belts move the part sideways toward the powered return section.
Reset
4 — Reset + return
The transfer mechanism retracts and the receiving table rises while the part travels back to the operator.
Transfer architecture
Receiving rollers and nested belts create the lateral handoff to the return line.
The transfer mechanism moves the work sideways to the powered return rollers, then retracts so the receiving section can reset for the next part.
Transfer path
Transfer belts sit within the receiving-roller field.
The belt-transfer system shifts the work from the receiving zone to the parallel powered return conveyor.
Final transfer geometry and conveyor lengths are matched to the selected BTWB3 model and application.
Technical data
BTWB3 architecture, standard lengths and supported options.
These values describe the BTWB3 wide-belt-sander return system and its supported configuration options.
| Field | BTWB3 value |
|---|---|
| Product | BTWB3 return conveyor for wide belt sanders |
| Frame | Modular frame |
| Roller-length models | BTWB3-24 / BTWB3-30 / BTWB3-36 / BTWB3-48 / BTWB3-60 |
| Receiving mechanism | Receiving rollers with down stroke triggered by trailing-edge detection |
| Transfer method | Belts nested between receiving rollers side-shift the work to motorized return rollers |
| Standard receiving length | 5 ft; extendable for the application |
| Standard return length | 15 ft; extendable for the application |
| Automatic height adjustment | Motorized option with a basic 2 in adjustment range |
| 5 in height stroke | Separate automatic reception-height stroke option |
| STWB staging table | Optional staging table for buffering several parts at the loading side |
Standard conveyor lengths
5 feet receiving. 15 feet return. Both extendable.
The base conveyor lengths can be extended to suit the sander cell and return-path requirement.
5'Standard receiving conveyor length
15'Standard return conveyor length
2"Basic automatic-height adjustment range
5"Separate automatic-height stroke option
5BTWB3 roller-length models
Automatic receiving-height adjustment
Match a wide belt sander whose working table height changes.
The motorized height-adjustment option resets the BTWB3 receiving pass height as the sander table height changes.
Height configuration
Basic automatic-height range: 2 inches.
A separate 5-inch automatic reception-height stroke option is also identified for applications requiring greater travel.
The 2-inch basic range and 5-inch stroke option remain separate configuration values.
STWB staging table
Give the loading operator a buffer instead of forcing one-piece-at-a-time pacing.
STWB is an optional staging table that allows several parts to be queued at the loading side to create a more manageable sanding workflow.
Loading-side buffer
STWB is an optional workflow tool.
The table provides a staging buffer ahead of the wide belt sander so several parts can be prepared for the loading sequence.
Final STWB sizing and placement are confirmed with the selected BTWB3 cell layout.
Ownership / changeover
Manage the return conveyor as part of the sanding cell.
Keep the selected roller length, conveyor extensions and height configuration tied to the actual sander and workpiece families.
Planning
Part-mix records
Keep roller-length model and extension choices tied to the actual part families and sander cell.
Ownership
Transfer surfaces
Receiving rollers, transfer belts and return rollers are the core material-contact path.
Changeover
Height configuration
Record whether the installed return uses the 2-inch automatic-height range or the separate 5-inch stroke configuration.
Safety
Qualified service
Sensor, motorized-height, pneumatic and electrical service follows installed-machine documentation and qualified personnel.
Production-cell integration
The wide belt sander sets the pass line, height range and flow direction.
Standard conveyor lengths can be extended, so the final BTWB3 layout is built around the actual host machine and operator flow.
Sander outfeed
The part exits the sander onto the BTWB3 receiving rollers.
Trailing-end detect
The receiving section initiates its down stroke after the part clears.
Lateral transfer
Nested belts move the work toward the parallel return line.
Receiving reset
The transfer retracts and the receiving table returns to the start height.
Return / stage
The part returns to the operator; STWB can buffer loading where configured.
Business-case framework
Measure sanding-cell handling, operator travel and sander waiting.
Evaluate the return system against the customer’s actual sanding pattern, operator movement, repeat-pass frequency and staging requirement.
Current state
Outfeed handling time
Measure time spent receiving, walking and returning parts.
Flow
Sander waiting
Record idle time tied to loading and return handling.
Configuration
Height-change frequency
Document how often sander table height changes and whether motorized BTWB3 adjustment matters.
Business case
Staging requirement
Measure whether an input buffer would keep the loading operator and sander better synchronized.
Application data package
Send the wide belt sander and real part mix before the BTWB3 model is locked.
That application package closes roller length, conveyor extensions, height range, return direction and staging requirements.
Host machine
Wide belt sander
Manufacturer/model, conveyor width, pass height, height travel and outfeed direction.
Workpiece
Workpiece envelope
Minimum and maximum L × W × T, weight, material and surface condition.
Sequence
Sanding flow
Number of passes, face-flip requirements, operator side and existing return method.
Integration
Cell requirements
Floor space, receiving/return extensions, STWB, height adjustment, utilities and downstream handling.
BTWB3 FAQ
Key questions for sizing the wide-belt-sander return.
BTWB3 model selection is driven by the host sander, workpiece mix, return layout and required options.
What is BTWB3?
A Doucet return-conveyor family designed specifically as a companion to wide belt sanders.
Which roller-length models are available?
BTWB3-24, BTWB3-30, BTWB3-36, BTWB3-48 and BTWB3-60.
What are the standard conveyor lengths?
5 feet for the receiving conveyor and 15 feet for the return conveyor. Both can be extended for the application.
How does the transfer work?
Trailing-edge detection initiates receiving-table lowering; nested transfer belts side-shift the part to powered return rollers; the transfer retracts and the receiving section resets.
What is the basic automatic-height range?
The motorized automatic-height option has a 2-inch basic adjustment range.
Is there a larger height-travel option?
Yes. A separate 5-inch automatic reception-height stroke option is identified.
What is STWB?
An optional staging table that lets the operator queue several parts at the loading side.
Can the conveyor lengths be extended?
Yes. The 5-foot receiving and 15-foot return sections can be extended to suit the application.
What information is needed for sizing?
The sander model, pass height, workpiece envelope, return direction, floor space, height-change requirement and staging needs.
Does BTWB3 use trailing-edge detection?
Yes. Trailing-edge detection initiates the receiving-table lowering sequence.
BTWB3 application review
Size the return around your wide belt sander.
Send the host machine, part envelope, height range, return flow and staging needs.