Conveyor Systems

What are Conveyor Systems?

Conveyor systems have emerged as indispensable tools for automating warehouse operations, streamlining the transportation, sorting, and accumulation of various products and materials. These conveyor systems can be seamlessly integrated into warehouse designs or employed for specific warehouse tasks, offering ergonomic and efficient solutions that reduce labor requirements and costs. Designed to handle a diverse range of material types, conveyors facilitate the movement, sorting, and accumulation of individual products, boxes, pallets, cases, totes, or eaches.

TRANSPORTATION CONVEYORS

Transportation conveyors are used to move items from one location to another, without requiring rigorous manual labor. They’re most often used to handle lightweight items such as poly-bags or discrete "eaches", as well as cases or totes.. These conveyors ensure the efficient flow of products within the warehouse, optimizing overall operations.

Belted Conveyor. One type of transportation conveyor is a belted conveyor, that utilizes continuously moving belts to transport items along their surfaces. This type of conveyor system is used for handling small-medium sized products that require consistent, stable movement throughout the process.

Roller Conveyor. Another common type of transportation conveyor is a roller conveyor. Roller conveyors utilize a series of rotating cylinders, known as rollers, to transport items. These rollers are equipped to handle heavy materials or materials that are irregularly shaped. Because the rollers exert less friction than conveyor belts, roller conveyors are suitable for products that need to be manually rotated or adjusted throughout the process. Rollers are also more durable and adaptable than belt conveyors.

MOTORIZED DRIVE ROLLER

Instead of one external motor like those found in belt and roller conveyors, motorized drive rollers have integrated motors within each of the rollers themselves, eliminating the need for additional drive mechanisms. These integrated motors reduce the complexity of the conveyor system, saving space, reducing the need for maintenance, and allowing for easier adaptability and customization. Motorized drive rollers are able to efficiently handle pallets, cases and totes that require precision and accuracy.

ACCUMULATION CONVEYORS

Accumulation conveyors play a crucial role in establishing buffer zones within the warehouse, allowing for the accumulation of products during temporary pauses in production or distribution. These conveyors can be further classified based on the applied pressure.

Zero Pressure. Zero pressure accumulation conveyors are equipped with sensors and controls to ensure that products do not come into contact with each other while accumulating. This gentle transportation approach minimizes the risk of damage or jamming.

Minimum Pressure. Minimum pressure accumulation conveyors maintain a slight contact between products during accumulation, ensuring product stability while minimizing the pressure exerted. This type of conveyor is ideal for applications where maintaining balance is crucial.

How to Choose a Conveyor System

Type of Product or Material

The type of product or material that will be transported on the conveyor plays the biggest role in selecting the appropriate conveyor system. Factors such as size, weight, and fragility must be accounted for to ensure the effective and safe transportation, sortation, or accumulation of the items.

Space Constraints

Assess the available space within the warehouse. Consider the layout and dimensions of your warehouse to select a conveyor type and configuration that optimizes your available space without compromising operational efficiency.