Industrial Conveyor Systems

Industrial conveyor systems are designed to effortlessly transport materials, goods, and products from one location to another within a facility or along a predetermined path. The benefits of conveyors are significant, as they reduce manual labor requirements while improving process flow and overall efficiency.

Whether it’s moving raw materials from storage to production areas, or transporting finished products to shipping and receiving areas, conveyors make it all possible. They offer reliable and safe transportation options, while also improving overall workplace safety by reducing physical strain and injury.

With the help of conveyors, companies can run a tighter ship and keep things moving forward without any unnecessary delays or bottlenecks. Conveyors are widely used in manufacturing, shipping, warehousing, and commercial industries to move items in a controlled and organized manner.

Storee Construction has been helping commercial, manufacturing, and industrial facilities improve efficiencies and productivity through conveyors for decades. Our engineers know how to make the most of your structure’s workflow, even raising conveyors overhead to maximize space.

Along with these conveyors, we also install catwalks and fall protection accessories to access the line at all points for repair, service, or maintenance. We also integrate conveyors into your production lines when possible so the rest of your facility can be undisturbed. Our local fabrication capabilities and extensive experience also allow us to create customized solutions and adapt in real time to your needs.

Industrial Conveyor Systems: Machinations, Types, Benefits, and Applications

Conveyors can be straight, curve around corners, and make vertical climbs and drops. They can be made from different materials (such as stainless steel for food processing purposes) and can run at high speeds when applicable. Let’s take a look at how these systems can help your facility.

How They Work

Conveyors operate on the principle of transporting items along a predetermined path using constantly moving parts like belts, rollers, chains, or buckets. The conveyor system typically includes a loading point, a transport route, and an unloading point. Items are placed on the conveyor at the loading point, and the system transports them to the designated destination, where they are unloaded.

Different Types of Industrial Conveyors

Belt Conveyors

These versatile systems can handle a wide range of materials with ease, moving products both large and small. The belts run continuously, ensuring a constant flow of materials with minimal downtime. With this technology, businesses can streamline their operations and boost productivity in no time.

Several belt conveyors can be used in unison, making them widely used in manufacturing and distribution centers. Plus, it’s much safer and more efficient than relying on manual labor. With these belt systems, businesses can keep up with the demands of the industry and stay ahead of the game.

Roller Conveyors

Roller conveyors are a popular transportation method for heavier items and materials and are cheaper to operate than other conveyors. They are made up of rollers mounted on a sturdy frame that allows items to be manually pushed or propelled through the use of a separate mechanism.

Side rails are commonly added to keep items from falling off the sides during transportation. Rollers are a very common conveyor type in many industries and are a reliable and efficient way to move items from one place to another. They’re easy to use and require minimal training, making them an ideal solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Chain Conveyors

This is a rugged type of conveyor that uses moving chains instead of belts or rollers. These conveyors are popular when pallets or large boxes are needed to be moved from one area to the other. They’re commonly used in industries like automotive manufacturing and heavy equipment production.

You wouldn’t use a chain conveyor on smaller items (unless the chain tracks are very close to one another and rigid side rails are used) because they would fall through. Also, chain belts are not designed to be used when items accumulate at the end because these belts won’t slide underneath like some belts and remain in motion, unlike roller belts.

Screw Conveyors

A screw conveyor is a type of industrial conveyor that uses a large rotating screw blade or augur to move bulk and loose materials from one point to another. The screw rotates within a trough or tube, creating a continuous movement that propels the material along the length of the conveyor without spillage.

Screw conveyors are particularly useful for transporting bulk materials such as grains, cement, sludges, and other relatively uniform but loose substances and move both horizontally and at an incline. Smaller applications include the pharmaceutical industry and clean rooms because they can move fragile products gently and completely enclosed. 

Bucket Conveyors

Bucket conveyors use buckets or containers to move materials, often vertically. They’re used for transporting bulk materials like grains and powders. These buckets are usually attached to chains and essentially scoop material at the bottom and bring them to the top where they can be dumped into storage or onto another conveyor.

It also works in reverse: as the bucket reaches the top of the conveyor, the material can be dumped into the bucket where it will be emptied at the bottom of the conveyor. This is a versatile option often used in agricultural or mining worksites.

Benefits of Conveyors

Efficiency

Conveyors improve efficiency by automating the movement of goods, reducing the need for manual labor and handling in most cases.

Speed and Throughput

These systems can move items at a consistent speed, ensuring higher throughput and faster processing times.

Consistency

Conveyors provide consistent and uniform movement, minimizing variations in product handling and reducing the risk of damage.

Labor Savings

Automated material handling through conveyors reduces the need for manual labor, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks. However, conveyor belts should never be left unattended. Monitoring is critical for when the system hits a snag or emergency measures are needed.

Reduced Downtime

Conveyors operate continuously, reducing downtime associated with manual loading and unloading. But the conveyors are only as efficient or productive as the work that’s being performed at either end of the conveyor. For example, if materials aren’t removed at the endpoint, backups could cause issues at other points.

Space Optimization

Conveyors are designed to utilize available space efficiently, making them suitable for facilities with limited space. When properly organized, a series of conveyors can be used together to increase automation.

Safety

Conveyors can be designed with safety features like emergency stop buttons and guards to ensure worker safety. They may also remove the need for hand trucks, pallet jacks, and forklifts–removing the chances for errant use by workers. 

Conveyor technology offers a versatile and efficient solution for moving goods and materials in various industries. They contribute to streamlined operations, improved productivity, and reduced labor costs, making them a fundamental component of modern industrial processes.

Storee Construction engineers, builds, and installs a wide range of conveyor systems, from assembly lines in manufacturing arenas to loading docks in shipping terminals. If you’re updating or upgrading your space and want to make it as efficient and productive as possible, reach out to us and see how we can help.