Here is a primer on the various types of overhead conveyors and conveyor systems in use today across a wide range of industries.
Types of Overhead Conveyor Systems
overhead conveyors are beneficial solution when factory or warehouse floor space is tight. As such, this type of conveyor system provides flexibility and scalability to continue growing without having to necessarily move to a larger facility. Here are some basic types of overhead conveyor systems:
- Manual Overhead Conveyor Track System: These are used when the loads have to be moved on a manual basis. It may have different drive chains, switches, and turntables in which to facilitate the manual system.
- Overhead Chain Conveyors: These often move smaller loads and have a closed system with a cardan chain that operates on the inside of the conveyor system.
- Automated Overhead Conveyors: These often handle heavy loads and move quickly through a series of trolleys and carriers and may involve multiple lines along with a complex system of switches
Types of Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems are an efficient way to move goods, products, and materials, but they have also been known to move people, such as on escalators, moving sidewalks, and even ski lifts. Here are some common types of conveyor systems in use today:
- Belt Conveyors: Most readily used, this conveyor system has a belt that is stretched across two drums with the top belt in a flat position so it can move the products or people along. These are often used because of their ability to easily move objects of many sizes and weights without much risk.
- Vertical, Flexible, and Spiral Conveyors: Certain types of conveyor systems have pouches, spiral sections, or even buckets, which help in factories where items or products have to move around sharp turns or be moved in a vertical fashion. These are also seen in factories where products may have to go through various processes where items are heated or cooled.
- Vibrating Conveyer Systems: This type of conveyor system has a mechanism that constantly moves, shakes, or vibrates the items or materials along. This may be necessarily to clean the object, shake off excess materials, or separate items for better quality control efforts.
- Pneumatic Conveyor Systems: This type of conveyor uses air to move materials along while they are being processed. This is most often seen with food processing lines where materials must be mixed, ground, separated, and/or baked. Using air helps the materials not get stuck together or slow the processes down.
- Roller Conveyors: This conveyor system uses rollers, which are either set in a downhill fashion or simply use the force of gravity to control the movement of the items along the conveyor system. This is a system that would be ideal for larger items that are closed like baggage, boxes, and crates. Items easily can travel around corners but the overall system may be challenging to manoeuvre.
Author bio:-
There are many ways you can ensure that you’re making the most of the conveyor systems you’re using and lots of expert solutions out there, including the upcoming overhead conveyors for your business.