Conveyor systems are the bread and butter of industrial and commercial workflows. They allow for the seamless transport of light, medium-weight, and heavy objects around any given workspace while reducing labour costs as well as reducing the risks of workplace injuries.
In this blog, we’re going to dive into the innerworkings of 4 different types of conveyor systems. We hope this helps you find the right conveyor system for your specific needs!
Belt conveyors
Belt conveyors are some of the simplest types of conveyor systems available in the market. A belt conveyor moves items from one end to the other. The speed at which the parts move depends on the speed drive. Because of their convenience and simplicity, they remain
Belt conveyors belong to the floor conveyor group. They typically move the belt across a supporting plate so that as the belt moves, the plates slide seamlessly. Click here to learn more about how belt conveyors work.
Gravity Roller Conveyor
Gravity roller conveyors are also relatively simple in concept, and are very affordable as well. A series of rollers mounted on a side frame provides the rolling surface. When mounted on a declining angle, the parts move easily by themselves.
However, using gravity conveyors with parts of various sizes and weight can pose a serious challenge. You’ll have to control the speed and angle of the parts, something that can make the system much more vulnerable to collision and damage of the parts.
But when you need to get your items from point A to point B, a gravity conveyor is usually an excellent choice of a conveyor system. Not only are gravity rollers easy to use, they also save you money on electricity and maintenance. Learn more about these types of conveyor systems by getting in touch with us!
Chain Conveyors
Floor-mounted chain conveyors are great for transporting heavy items, they’re especially useful for items that have an uneven lower surface. The chains provide two or three contact points on the bottom of the load. As the chain starts moving, it carries the merchandise forward. Chain conveyors are used to carry pallets and enormous industrial containers, among many other heavy goods.
If necessary, items are mounted on something called a fixture, or a skid, and is carried along the chains. These types of conveyor systems are heavy duty and usually move at glacial speeds.
Live Roller Conveyor / Chain-Driven Live Roller Conveyor
If we combine the rollers from a gravity conveyor with the chains of a sequence conveyor, we get a system with linked rollers. Add a motor and gearbox and we’ve got ourselves a live roller conveyor or chain-driven live roller conveyor system.
Also known as CDLRs, these types of conveyor systems are members of the floor conveyor family and are heavy-duty conveyors. They’re mostly used to move pallets, seats (on skids or pallets), tires and containers.
If fitted with loose plastic sleeves over the rollers, they can either accumulate or buffer items. The rollers can keep moving even if the merchandise on top isn’t moving.
If you’d like to learn more about the different types of conveyor systems, please don’t hesitate to contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you!