How Conveyor Systems Work

Conveyor systems specifications to consider

 

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When installing a conveyor into your business, either on its own or as part of a wider system, there are certain aspects you want to consider and factor in. Combining the answers to these questions will give you an idea of what sort of conveyor system you want for your business such as a spiral conveyor, inclined belt conveyor, slat and mesh conveyor, pallet handling conveyor, or plastic conveyor.

 

We&#;re going to have a look at these specifications below and if you want to discuss a bespoke designed conveyor for you and your business needs, the L-A-C team is always available and happy to discuss a solution for you.

 

Load capacity

 

This is an important part of how any conveyor works and will be a fundamental decision as to what conveyor system you get and what functions you have. When companies like L-A-C are manufacturing valued customers conveyor systems, they will make sure the conveyor is built to the required and custom length which will determine the loading capacity or the loading margins of the conveyor system.

 

As the required load for the conveyor system goes up, there will be changes to the width, length, and overall design of the conveyor system.

 

A conveyor system will also have a maximum load capacity and is associated with a load capacity per unit length where the value can be stated for fixed-length purpose-built conveyors. This is also known as flow rate.

 

Conveyor system speed or rated speed

 

Belt conveyor speeds are typically rated in foot per minute while a powered roller conveyor speed is usually measured in terms of how much product, package, or volume of an item will be moving over the powered roller conveyor system. The speed a conveyor system works at varies depending on what&#;s being moved and is a key part to how conveyor systems work due to controlling the speed which can affect other factors such as throughput of the conveyor system.

 

For example, you&#;ll likely need a different you&#;re moving a high volume of small-medium standardised sized items compared to lower amounts of heavy differential sized items.

 

Throughput

 

Throughput is what measures the amount of product that goes through the conveyor system. The throughput capacity of a conveyor system is sometimes referred to as Cases Per Minute (CPM) and is dependent on the slowest speed mainline conveyor and the length of the product that&#;s being transported. It&#;s measured by volume per unit time such as cubic feet per minute.

 

The throughput will also be measured by using the two above parts which will give a better determination of what the throughput of the conveyor system will be and can be subject to change due to individual operational complexities. For example the throughput of a conveyor system that runs on a straight line compared to a conveyor system that needs to be looping left and right and going up and down.

 

Drive location

 

Drives are what we discussed above under the subheading &#;driving unit&#; and are a key part of how conveyor systems work. They need to be considered in terms of where it&#;s placed on the conveyor system. Usually, a head or end drive is found on the discharge side of the conveyor and is the most common type. You can also get centre drives which are mounted underneath the system alongside the conveyor system. As mentioned above, drives are used for reversing the direction of the conveyor.

 

Conveyor systems selection considerations

 

When selecting a conveyor system for a business, it&#;s important to know what type of conveyor(s) are being considered to install, which should be made more clear by understanding the above factors, and as part of this, what frames configuration is used whether it&#;s straight, curved, or z-framed.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit how conveyors work.

 

Depending on how big the conveyor system is will change the considerations for the conveyor specifications mentioned above. Just using the image below as an example, the throughput, drive locations, speed of different conveyors, and the load capacity will be different to a project where there are only one or two conveyors moving the same item.

Different industries leverage from conveyor belts and how they operate. It provides ease of transport for a wide variety of materials, ranging from small objects to large ones. In this article, we are going to try and answer some of the common questions about conveyor systems, belt conveyors, or more specifically, how does a conveyor belt work?

The Working Principle of a Belt Conveyor

A belt conveyor is a material handling device that uses an endless belt to transport items from one place to another. The components of a belt conveyor system include the pulley, the belt, and the motor that drives it. The working principle of the belt conveyor is simple: it uses a motor to power an idler pulley, which in turn causes the pulley to move the length of the belt. The force that drives the conveyor is produced by friction between the idler pulley and the underside of the conveyor&#;s moving surface. This powerful frictional force is what leads to movement in both directions along a given route.

The key parts of conveyor belt systems are its supporting structure, drive mechanism, and loading device; these components work together to create an effective transportation system. The supporting structure serves as a platform for all other components and must be constructed to handle maximum loads while maintaining its shape throughout operation. On top of this support lies two main components: the drive mechanism employed by motors and gearboxes, which pushes or pulls objects along the track; and finally, a loading device which enables operators to load materials onto or off of belts easily.

The Purpose of the Pulley

For conventional conveyor belts, the drive pulley is the most important part of the conveyor system because it provides the necessary momentum to propel materials along the belt. The purpose of the pulley is to create frictional force between it and the underside of the conveyor&#;s moving surface in order to power movement forwards or backwards. Motors provide the energy for this motion while gearboxes assist in distributing power to each individual component within the system, allowing precise control over speed and efficiency.

This material is seen to whether you have industrial conveyor belts that handles bulk materials or motorized conveyor belts that carry lightweight goods. A conveyor belt works in simple principle and can be seen transporting materials from one place to another in production lines, warehouses, and many other areas. With this overview on how a conveyor belt works, you now have an understanding of what makes the most important part of any conveyor system work.

Ideal Location to Where a Conveyer Belt System Should be Placed

There are two deciding factors of where the conveyor belt system should be placed: first, it must be situated in an area that is easily accessible and provides ample space for all components of the conveyor system, while second, it should be located far enough away from any hazardous areas or materials.

It is important to remember that conveyors are usually used in production lines and warehouses, so it is important to determine the best possible layout for a conveyor belt system in order to maximize efficiency and minimize any potential safety risks.

Depeding on the operational and environmental conditions, it may also be necessary to install some form of shielding around the conveyor belt in order to protect workers or objects from moving parts.

Different Types of Belt Conveying System

Now that we&#;re through with how conveyor belts work, let&#;s discuss about some of the most basic belt conveying systems that are used today.

• Sandwich Belt Conveyor: Compared to normal rubber conveyor belts, the sandwich uses two belts instead of one. They are positioned face to face (same direction) to firminly contain the items being transported.
• Flat Belt Conveyor: A flat belt conveyor is a very simple and cost effective system that is ideal for large scale operations. It consists of two or more pulleys that are connected by an endless loop of flat belt material.
• Incline Belt Conveyor: This type of conveyor is usually used to transport items up and down inclines. The belts move along a set path while the load remains stationary on the conveyor bed.
• Curve Belt Conveyor: This conveyor works similarly to flat belt systems; however, they are designed to move items around curves. They use flexible belts that can bend and twist as needed to follow the desired path.
• Specialty Conveyor Belts: There are some manufacturers that customize conveyor belts depending on the application or client requests. They use anything from motorized pulleys, plastic belt, hinged steel belts, and more.
• Sanitary and Washdown Conveyors: These are designed for use in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and other industries where sanitation is a must. The belts and frames are made of stainless steel and they can be easily washed down to maintain cleanliness.

From bulk material handling to simple transportation of lightweight goods, there are different types of conveyor belts you can opt for depending on your requirements.

Factors to Consider When Choosing The Right Conveyor Belt for Your Business Operation

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right conveyor belt for your business operation. These include:

1. Material handling needs: The type of material you need to transport will determine the type of conveyor belt you need. For example, if you are transporting heavy items, you will need a belt that can withstand the weight and wear and tear of these items. On the other hand, if you are transporting lightweight items, you may be able to use a lighter and less durable belt.
2. Conveyor length and width: The length and width of the conveyor belt will depend on the size of the items you need to transport and the space available in your facility. It is important to choose a belt that is the right size for your operation to ensure efficient material handling.
3. Speed and capacity: The speed and capacity of the conveyor belt will depend on the volume of material you need to transport. If you have a high volume of material, you will need a belt with a higher capacity and speed.
4. Environment: The environment in which the conveyor belt will be used should also be considered. If the belt will be used in a wet or corrosive environment, you will need a belt that is resistant to moisture and corrosion.
5. Maintenance: The maintenance requirements of the conveyor belt should also be considered. Some belts require more frequent maintenance than others, so it is important to choose a belt that is easy to maintain and has a long lifespan.
6. Cost: The cost of the conveyor belt should also be considered. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, it is important to consider the long-term costs of maintenance and replacement.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right conveyor belt for your business operation and ensure efficient and effective material handling.

The Bottom Line

Conveyor belts are an essential part of many business operations, so it is important to choose the right type for your needs. Understanding the different types available, along with the factors to consider when selecting one, can help you make an informed decision and ensure your operation runs smoothly and efficiently.

If ever you need help with your conveyor belts, feel free to contact Storage Equipment Systems. We offer conveyor belt systems for sale, as well as a range of other storage solutions. Our experienced team can help you find the right solution for your business needs and budget. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

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