What exactly is a conveyor system?

Automated conveyors transport loads and materials within a certain area quickly and efficiently. In addition to reducing risks in the workplace and human errors, this system saves you money on labour costs. Heavy or bulky items can be moved with their help.

Conveyors‘ machines may also rent a belt, wheels, rollers, or a chain to deliver objects.

How do conveyor systems function?

Conveyor systems are commonly made from a belt stretched throughout or extra pulleys.

The belt can rotate continuously through the closed loop formed by the belt and pulley. Drive pulleys move things from one place to another by driving or towing the belt.

A rotor powers the drive pulley and belt in the most common conveyor system designs. The friction between the two surfaces keeps the strap attached to the rotor. The drive pulley and the idler must rotate in the same direction for the belt to move effectively, clockwise or counterclockwise.

Advantages of Conveyor Systems

A conveyor system’s primary function is transporting objects from one location to another. Things that are too heavy or bulky for humans to carry by hand can be moved, thanks to the design.

Moving items between locations are made easier with conveyor systems. Operating them manually can be physically challenging since multiple levels exist. The inclined belts can be unloaded automatically, allowing the material to be received at the other end without needing to be received.

Conveyor system examples and types

Several conveyor systems, such as belt-and-roller conveyors, are used to move heavy equipment and boxes in a large warehouse. Conveyor systems can also be found in airports, where they are used to transport luggage. Escalators and ski lifts are two other examples. These machines still rely on a belt or chain and pulleys to move heavy items from one location to another.

Conveyors systems come in a variety of configurations, including:

● Belt

● Roller

● Slat/apron

● Ball transfer

● Overhead

● Pneumatic

● Bucket

● Chute

● Magnetic

● Vertical

● Wheel

● Walking beam

● Vibrating

● Screw/auger

● Chain

Each conveyor type has a different function altogether. One such instance of a chain-driven conveyor system is an escalator. Instead of a pulley system that moves items along, the chain conveyor employs a towing system that moves the steps upward or downward.

A conveyor system’s essential components

Belt support, pulley, and drive unit make up the three major components of a conveyor system. Conveyor units depend on every piece to function properly. Each conveyor system contains these components, but the materials used and the location of each member differ.

Keeping the belt transfer efficient is made easier with the belt support. Putting heavy items on the pinnacle of a belt causes it to sag, causing it to transport much less smoothly and quickly than it should.

Pulleys control the belt’s motion outside the belt itself. At least a power and an idle pulley are present in each unit. The body of an excellent complicated conveyor system can contain additional rotors at some point.

A system can move just because of its drive unit. Team members keep the parts moving smoothly with counter bearings. Several systems use this unit to manage repeated direction changes and to move the belt backward. Hands are used to operate some conveyor systems. They still use a non-motorized drive unit.