Conveyor systems have become increasingly critical for speedy, reliable production in a variety of industries. At their most basic, conveyor systems use a frame that supports a belt, rollers, or wheels to transport materials from one location to another. They are powered using a variety of methods, including electrical motors, manual actuation, or gravity. Conveyors are particularly valued for applications that require the quick and efficient movement of heavy products or large volumes of materials that would be difficult for humans to move effectively using manual methods.
Conveyors can be used to transport materials laterally or can be inclined or elevated to move materials between multiple levels. Not only does this allow you to move materials more quickly and efficiently, but it also reduces potential injury to workers. In addition, conveyors are often configured to automatically move and unload materials, reducing the number of people necessary to man the production line.
What are Conveyors Used for?
Conveyors are used for a variety of applications in industries such as food processing, automotive, bottling, pharmaceutical, aerospace, chemical, and many more. The most popular uses of conveyors include transporting products, storage, and buffering.
Transporting Products
Conveyors are used to quickly move products from one point to another throughout a facility. They prevent personnel injury by reducing the need for manual lifting and carrying. When used on assembly lines, conveyors allow workers to stand in one place to complete their work, while the product moves from one station to the next on the conveyor. Not only does this reduce time and labor, but it also eliminates the potential for damage to products that can occur with manual or forklift conveyance.
Storage and Buffering
To streamline the production process, conveyor systems can be used to store products between steps or before shipping. They can also be used to create an accumulation bank of products for temporary storage to balance process flow. To further organize production, conveyors are used to sequence products between processes.
What are the Different Types of Conveyors?
Conveyor systems are exceptionally versatile and can be designed to accommodate a wide range of applications. From simple free-rolling mechanisms to motor-powered conveyors with complex gear and chain mechanisms, conveyor systems come in many configurations. Some of the most common types of conveyors include:
Belt Conveyors
Roller
Powered Rollers
Ball Transfer Conveyors
Magnetic
Bucket
Chute
Drag, Chain, and Tow
Overhead
Pneumatic and Vacuum
Singulation Conveyor
Screw and Auger
Vertical
Vibrating
Walking Beam
Wheel
Key Considerations When Choosing a Conveyor Type
When selecting the right conveyor for your application, it is important to consider the following:
Material Type
Take into account the material that you plan to move, including characteristics such as weight, consistency, thickness, temperature, and moisture content. You should also consider the physical properties of the material, including magnetism, abrasion, and particle size. With this information, you can select the most effective conveyor design to move your product.
Operation
It’s important to consider the application or operation in which you are using the conveyor. The conveyor system that you use for simple transport from Point A to Point B will be different from feeding applications that require more specific control of material flow.
Space Availability and Constraints
Conveyors are available in a wide range of sizes to meet the widely varying size requirements and constraints of different facilities and operations. When selecting the right conveyor system for your application, it is important that your equipment fits within the required space and still operates efficiently.
Cost
Cost is a crucial consideration when incorporating a new system into your production line. You should consider whether the initial investment is in your budget, as well as whether the long-term benefits will pay for the investment over time. Take the time to calculate the savings you can reap from adding a conveyor system, including reduced labor, increased production, energy savings, and maintenance.
Choosing the Right Type of Conveyor Can Be a Daunting Task
At CapTech Automation, we are committed to producing state-of-the-art closure lining machines and conveyor systems for industrial capping. We understand how difficult it can be to choose the right conveyor type for your operation. With a commitment to providing excellent service, our expert support team is here to help you select the best type of conveyor system for your needs.
To learn more about our conveyor systems, contact us today or request a quote.