The history of the conveyor system as a way of making work more accessible is well documented. In modern times, it is very rare to find an industrial manufacturing plant or an industry that does not use conveyor systems. Conveyor systems have also permitted different fields, including transportation, especially in airports, where the conveyors are used to move luggage from one point to another.
Regardless of what you intend to use them for, conveyors play a very instrumental role in manufacturing. Therefore, deciding which type of conveyors to use should not be taken lightly. Here are some pointers you need to consider about the different types of conveyors and their benefits and disadvantages.
- Belt Conveyors
The belt conveyors are the most common type of conveyor system available. They have gathered the name conveyor belt because of the structure on which they operate. A conveyor belt involves two or more pulleys around which a belt rotates. You can control the speed at which the belt rotates by controlling the speed of the pulleys. Thus, the belt rotates to carry loads from one end while a pulley is placed on the other.
The conveyor belt is applicable in many instances, including manufacturing plants, assembly lines, and even in the airport, to move loads from one point to another.
- Pneumatic Conveyors
Pneumatic conveyors work to move items from one point to another using either air pressure or vacuum pressure. Air pressure works as a positive force by pushing the item from one point to another through a gush of air. On the other hand, vacuum pressure is an opposing force that sucks the item from one end to the other.
Pneumatic conveyors work well with dry but light items depending on the force used. It is prevalent in manufacturing plants to move the ingredients during manufacturing. Additionally, you can find pneumatic conveyors in mining institutions such as coal mines to suck the coal from the ground to the surface.
- Chain Conveyors
Common in bulk manufacturing of large items such as motor vehicles, chain conveyors are merely, as the name suggests, chains. The chains hang from one point to another, where the person using the conveyor system will affix the item to be transported, after which the chain will pull it through a pulley system.
Chain conveyors work well to transport large items in assembly lines and manufacturing plants. For example, chain conveyors are beneficial in the automotive industry as they allow the moving of car parts around the plant quickly. However, the downside to using chain conveyors is the need for frequent repairs due to rust and other wear and tear concerns.
- Cable Conveyors
Cable conveyors consist of a series of cables with disks across a production line. The cable facilitates ease of moving items across the production line. In many instances, cable conveyors are ideal in tubular settings where minimal human interaction with the items across the production line is required.
Considering how well cable conveyors work in settings where minimal human interaction is required with the items across the production line, they are instrumental in food manufacturing.
- Motorized Roller Conveyor
As the name suggests, the motorized roller conveyor consists of a series of rollers that work via a motorized system. The motorized system rotates the rollers to allow the items placed on top of the rollers to move. Thus, the rollers transfer the items from on top of one roller to the other and so on until the item reaches the end.
Motorized roller conveyors work together with other types of conveyors to create a system. For example, the motorized roller conveyor can work with the belt conveyors to move the belt instead of using multiple pulleys.
Deciding on the Conveyors to Use
Deciding which conveyors to use for your plant is necessary and can make or break the plant. Some of the factors you need to consider are as follows.
- Consider whether the conveyors will work overhead or run on the plant’s floor. Some of the standard overhead conveyors include chain conveyors and cable conveyors.
- Identify what the conveyor will transport. In this context, think about the weight and physical size of the conveyor and the item’s identity. Conveyors transporting foods and medicine should be sealed, as in the context of cable and pneumatic conveyors.
- Consider the rest of the plant and whether the conveyor can work well with the other components of the plant. Since conveyors work in tandem with other elements in the production or manufacturing plant, identifying cohesion will benefit you.
Parting Shot
Conveyors are a crucial component of an industrial factory or any location where it is necessary to move things from one point to another. Therefore, as you decide which conveyors to use, consider the aspects above and the pros and cons of each of the conveyors.
