What to Consider when Choosing the Right Conveyor System
INDUSTRY
Industries conveyors are designed for can impact multiple factors of their design. For example, a conveyor for transporting food will have to be built with quality, hygienic, food grade materials. For a packing application, an intergrated system of conveyor & packing tables would greatly improve efficiency and create an egonomical environment for staff. As a result, knowing your industry can help in designing the conveyor system best suited for its application.
In addition, an extra point to consider is energy efficiency and cost, if your product is a food item, it may need to be transported quickly by a conveyor, will a higher speed motor be more efficient? If so, will this impact the long term cost?
- Application examples:
+ Warehouse & Logistics
+ Vehicle Loading
+ Packing
+ Food & Drink
+ Manufacturing
+ Sortation
+ Floor to Floor
PRODUCT
PRODUCTWhen choosing a conveyor it is important to know the product it will be transporting. Features about the product and dimentions/weight will determine a conveyors details when in the design stage.
- For example, consider these types of questions:
+ Does it require special treatment due to conditions such as high moisture?
+ Size, shape, weight and material of product?
HANDLING
HANDLINGHow the product will be handled by staff will determine if a powered, unpowered or a combined system is best suited. If more handling is required for the product, extra details to the conveyor system design (such as safety rails or conveyor motor speed) and guidelines will have to be considered for the safety of employees.
As an example, when designing a production line conveyor system layout, consider the available space and accessibility for cleaning and maintenance staff. These two factors could change the entire shape and design of a system, thinking about these points will create an optimal production line design which prioritizes work flow to enhance productivity and efficiency.
+ How often will employees handle the product?
+ What is the available space for the conveyor system?
+ Does the conveyor design require extra safety details for employees?
+ Does the production require an accumulation / Rotary table?
Our team can guide you in choosing the right conveyor system for your application, please consider information such as:
- Industry
- Product
- Budget
- Available Space
Contact our team through the Spaceguard Enquiry Form or alternatively find more information about our bespoke conveyor products and contact our team via our sister website: www.conveyorsystems.co.uk.
A Rotary Table can be a useful addition to your production system for product accumulation.
Conveyor Types
Many conveyor types and custom options are available on the market today, below are some of the most common conveyors we see purchased and used within a variety of industries. As a company, we can design and build standard conveyor systems, as well as work close with our clients to create a completely bespoke, conveyor system design to suit space and requirements.
Firstly, lets look at the two most common conveyor styles:
Roller Conveyors
Most commonly transported items on roller conveyors:
- Crates
- Boxes
- Totes
- Cartons
- Trays
- Pallets
Roller Conveyors are a made up of a continual row of rollers, they are most suitable for transporting flat objects preferably with a rigid base to sit on the rollers.
Loose items such as bags and packets are unsuitable for roller conveyors, this is because loose items can become stuck and caught between the rollers.
The product should be able to cover around several rollers or the product may not move along the conveyor as efficiently.
Roller conveyor systems are most often used in settings such as industrial warehouses, production factories, assembly lines and airports.
- Find more information on our article 'What is a Roller Conveyor?'
Belt Conveyors
The most common items seen transported using belt conveyor systems:
- Packaged Products
- Loose Materials
- Packets & Bagged Goods
- Food & Drink Products
- Luggage
Belt Conveyor systems are fitted with a belt strip of material which transports items smoothly, they are the most versitile type of conveyor available due to the variety of belt options and a flat surface to transport almost any product.
A belt conveyor can be used to transport almost any item, however sharp products or very heavy items may cause damage to the belt.
These Conveyors can be found in just about every industry, commonly in farming industries, e-fulfilment centres, warehouses, supermarkets, factories and mining industries.
Belt Material Examples
When to use a Belt Conveyor over a Roller Conveyor?
The advantage Belt Conveyors have over Roller Conveyors in many case is the fact that Belt Conveyors can transport a variety of different items and products, Roller Conveyors however have the disadvantage of potentially snagging loose items between the rollers, or smaller items falling through the gaps of slightly more distanced rollers.
Less handling is also another positive for Belt Conveyors, employees manually pushing products across a gravity roller conveyor for long periods may impact employees well-being and morale, as well as a higher risk of human error in relation to the transportation of the products.
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Click Here to read more information about 'Choosing the Right Belt Conveyor'
Commonly Used Conveyors
24V DC Roller Conveyor
- Powered conveyor systems
- Very Versatile
- Low-Maintenance
- Energy Efficient
Slat Conveyors
- Ideal for food & beverage
- Variable Speeds
- Stainless Steel chains available
- Completely Customisable
Modular Conveyor
- Resistant to Chemicals
- Food Safe
- Highly Customisable
- Suitible for wet environments
Lineshaft Driven Roller Conveyor
- Uses a series of bands to connect each roller to a spinning shaft underneath
- Great for cartons, boxes or totes
Gravity Roller Conveyor
- Unpowered - Uses momentum of gravity
- Easily transports goods
- Special Application versions available
- Robust & Reliable
Ball Tables
- Multi-Directional movement
- Unpowered
- Great for transferring & turning heavy objects
- Choice of ball size & pitch
Flexible Roller Conveyors
- Also known as 'Expandable Conveyors'
- Different Roller Styles available
- Heavy Duty options
- Ideal for smaller spaces & Storage
Pallet Conveyor
- Less Forklift Use
- Pallet Accumulation
- Improved Health & Safety
- Low Maintenance
- Faster Transport Time
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