Did you know that conveyors reduce manual labor in factories by up to 50% and can transport materials at speeds reaching 200 feet per minute? This fact shows that machines play a critical role in the smooth running and functioning of various industries.
These machines have impacted how goods and materials are moved within facilities. They are safer and boost efficiency, reducing the risks associated with manual labor, such as human error, injury, and stress. However, these machines have come to take all that away. This guide will explain these conveyor systems, their working operations, and their major types and applications.
What are Conveyors and How Do They Work?
Also known as transporter devices, these conveyor systems help transport goods from one location to another within a facility or between different points in production. They’re most commonly found in facilities such as warehouses, mines, food processing factories, and logistics hubs. Conveyors are designed to handle a wide range of items, from small items to large, bulky materials or products. Because each conveying system is unique, it can also be designed and configured in different ways to suit varying applications.
Conveyor systems usually have a control system that regulates speed, direction, and operation. Other parts include the frame, the drive or propel mechanism, and the belt or chain. Other parts include the mechanical components, such as rollers and bearings necessary to enable movement.
These conveyor systems transfer motion from the drive mechanism to the chain, which in turn causes the conveyor belt to move. The materials and items placed on the belt are then carried forward to the next operational point. Generally, these machines are an efficient solution for material handling and transportation. Industries can streamline their operations, increase productivity, and improve safety levels in working environments for those performing manual labor. Their adaptability makes them an indispensable tool in modern manufacturing and distribution.
Different Types of a Conveyor
Some of the common conveyor systems used in industry today include the following:
● Chute Systems
These systems are the simplest means of conveying materials owing to their straightforward design. Chute systems are popular in facilities such as grain handling factories, as their simple design is very easy to maintain. Other industries that use chute systems include loading docks, production lines, or storage and warehousing facilities. This conveyor system option is the most ideal for facilities that require simplicity, cost-effectiveness, low maintenance, and reliability.
● Belt Systems
Belt systems are the most common for materials handling in modern industrial settings. The system usually comprises a large rubber or metal loop made of either rubber, fabric, or metal that rotates around a series of rollers. The belt, also known as the conveying surface, is the surface on which materials are carried. Belt systems are versatile and can handle varying materials of different sizes, weights, and substances. These belt systems are commonly used in airports, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers.
● Pneumatic Systems
These sets of systems rely on vacuum or air pressure to transport their materials through a network of tubes or pipes. While belts use mechanical motion, pneumatic systems use airflow to move materials from one place to another. These systems are more common for handling fine powders, granules, and other lightweight materials prone to contamination. You’ll find them in places like chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing plants where cleanliness is essential for compliance and best practice.
● Slat
The slat system uses slats or plates to convey goods. These slats are often made of metal or wood, but the material can be adapted according to the requirements of the application. Slats attached to a belt or any linkage system to ensure movement along a predetermined path. They are popular as their easy to customize to accommodate various material types, such as containers, heavy loads, and irregularly shaped items. Common applications include assembly lines and material handling facilities that need durable machinery.
● Ball Transfer
Ball transfer systems are unique in both design and application. There are metal balls mounted on a series of bearings with a frame. The balls can rotate freely in any direction, allowing for the omnidirectional materials movement. You’ll find them in places like assembly lines and loading docks where materials must be transferred in different directions from one given point. One great benefit of their design is friction reduction, which minimizes risk and damage to delicate items.
