Conveyors are commonly used devices on assembly lines across a wide range of industries. They are often used to transport material with minimal effort within a short distance. They are a critical element in today’s ever-evolving supply chains and manufacturing processes.
While conveyors might seem simple, their scale and application make it necessary to choose the right one. You may end up spending additional time and money if you don’t consider basic properties such as weight, speed, maintenance, washdown requirements, and more when selecting a conveyor. In this article, we will review conveyor types and the critical factors for selecting the right tool for the right job.
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Conveyors come in different shapes and sizes depending on the end-application. Here are the most common types of conveyors:
Beam trolley systems. These are one of the earliest types of overhead conveyor systems. You can find these versatile conveyors anywhere, from home workshops to automobile assembly lines. Usually, you must attach a product to the overhead trolley by a hook.
Features and drawbacks:
- Easy to move products around curves.
- Easy to move heavy objects on assembly lines.
- Easy to install and ensure minimal downtime.
Difficult to use on inclines or declines as loads move under their own weight, causing accidents.
Belt conveyors. They are the most commonly used powered conveyor systems. They comprise two or more pulleys with an endless belt which is the carrying medium. The belt, which is made from PVC or rubber, rotates about the pulleys to move the load.
Features and drawbacks:
- Relatively cost-effective.
- Suitable for batch type production process.
- Gentle product handling.
- Abrasive materials can damage the belt.
- May not be suitable for heavy loads.
Chain conveyors. These use a similar concept as belt conveyors. Instead of a belt, however, they use a chain mesh to move products. Chains can be made of different materials and may come in different sizes and shapes depending on the application.
Features and drawbacks:
- Suitable for heavy loads.
- Easy to install.
- Low maintenance.
- Higher energy consumption.
- Not suitable for fragile loads.
- Relatively limited or slow speed.
Inverted conveyors. Inverted conveyors come in power and free variants. They allow you to stop individual loads without holding the entire assembly line.