Conveyors

Moving materials from one location to another in a commercial or industrial setting is made much easier with the right conveyor system. For production, packaging, and shipping, conveyors allow for a more efficient movement in production lines and heavy duty transportation. Due to their flexibility, conveyor equipment can be found in a wide range of environments, and vary in terms of their complexity and design. By using the right conveyor equipment, it is much easier to transport both materials and goods, but there is a wide range of conveyor solutions available. Choosing the right conveyor belt system is vital, and it can be a challenge to ensure that you have the proper conveyor machine setup that is fit for purpose.

Considerations for the Right Conveyor Systems

The vast majority of conveyor belt system types use a similar design, although there are variations. Typically, a conveyor system will consist of a support frame for the essential rollers, conveyor belts, and wheels. Powering systems can be wildly different, though, and might include options such as a motor-powered conveyor, gravity-powered, or even manual options. In order to choose the right conveyor machine, many factors will need to be taken into account. This will include the types of expected material being handled, the workload, and the working space where the conveyor system will be located. However, when the right conveyor equipment is in place, even the heaviest, most over-sized and varied material can be transported quickly, boosting productivity and ensuring that employees are safer.

Types of Conveyor System

Although there are some popular designs for conveyor systems, there are also options for the bespoke and custom conveyors that your industrial space needs. If your work environment requires little in the customization, then the most commonly seen types of recovery systems include:

●       Belt system

●       Roller Chain

●       Powered or motorized roller 

●       Slat

●       Bucket

●       Vertical

●       Wheel (skate)

●       Ball transfer

●       Overhead conveyor

There are many more options to consider, but these are consistently used for production lines, industrial settings, and heavy duty transportation industries. Choosing the conveyor machine that suits the environment and the workload is critical for improved performance.

Essential Specifications for Conveyor Systems

When you are deciding on the best types of conveyor solutions, there are some key areas to consider before making a decision. Your conveyor belt system will need to factor in the following:

●       Load Capacity: Also referred to as flow rate, this is one of the more important aspects to consider. The maximum load capacity needs to be higher than you expect your materials to be. This will ensure that wear and tear is minimized and that employees are kept safe from harm.

●       Speed: A factory conveyor belt will need to operate at a different speed to an airport conveyor belt system. Belt speed is a crucial factor to get right, and there are plenty of options for custom conveyors that work at the pace your workspace needs. Belt conveyors will tend to be rated in feet per minute, while other conveyor belt types like a powered roller conveyor will describe the linear speed of specific items.

●       Throughput: This is one of the more important measurements that you will need to consider. Throughput is the system's capacity for handling materials in a set amount of time. For example, throughput measurement will often refer to heavy duty transportation in terms of cubic feet per minute. This type of specification is more commonly seen in industrial conveyor system.

What is a Conveyor Belt?

All conveyor systems will use a belt, but not all belts are the same. When buying or upgrading a conveyor system, the belt type is one of the most critical areas to get right. Conveyor belts are where the products or materials are loaded onto, and the propulsion system will then move the belt in an endless loop. Not only do you need to ensure that your conveyor belt is the right length and width, but it will also need to be made from the right material. This will depend on what is being transported, the speed of the system, and the throughput workload. 

The Importance of Environment

It is vital that you take the environment into account when looking at your options for belting products, conveyor systems, and conveyor equipment. You will need to have a clear understanding of:

●       Humidity levels

●       Temperature

●       Vibration

●       Environmental materials (such as settings where there are high volumes of flammable, fragile, or dangerous materials)

It is always best to discuss your conveyor solutions with professional suppliers of conveyors, conveyor systems, and belting products. The more suitable your conveyor system is for the workload and environment, the longer your conveyor equipment will last. Talk to the experts today!