ConveyorsConveyors

IntroductionIntroduction

Conveyor- a mechanized device used to Conveyor- a mechanized device used to move materials in relatively large move materials in relatively large quantities between specific locations over quantities between specific locations over a fixed path. (Dr. Red) a fixed path. (Dr. Red)

There are over 400 types of conveyors we There are over 400 types of conveyors we are only going to discuss 7 of the most are only going to discuss 7 of the most common conveyors that can relate to all common conveyors that can relate to all others.others.

RollerRollerA roller track for a storage rack or roller conveyor, comprising a wall arrangement, and a longitudinally-A roller track for a storage rack or roller conveyor, comprising a wall arrangement, and a longitudinally-

extending array of freely rotatable roller units supported on the wall for supportive engagement with a extending array of freely rotatable roller units supported on the wall for supportive engagement with a load, the roller units being disposed for rotation about generally parallel horizontal axes which are load, the roller units being disposed for rotation about generally parallel horizontal axes which are horizontally spaced along a longitudinally-extending conveying direction, each roller unit including an horizontally spaced along a longitudinally-extending conveying direction, each roller unit including an annular roller housing supported through an annular array of antifriction bearing elements on a annular roller housing supported through an annular array of antifriction bearing elements on a support spindle for rotation about the respective horizontal axis.support spindle for rotation about the respective horizontal axis.

Most common are free floating, no mechanical or electrical system usedMost common are free floating, no mechanical or electrical system used $60-$1000$60-$1000 Can safely go up to 60 fpm (depending on size of material)Can safely go up to 60 fpm (depending on size of material) Up to 25,000 lbs (for most depends on support and material used)Up to 25,000 lbs (for most depends on support and material used) No real restrictions on volume of objects used on conveyorNo real restrictions on volume of objects used on conveyor Roller conveyors are one of the most common conveyors used in industry Roller conveyors are one of the most common conveyors used in industry

because they are inexpensive, simple to use and can vary depending on because they are inexpensive, simple to use and can vary depending on the needs of the business.the needs of the business.

ChainChain Chain-A conveyor on which material is Chain-A conveyor on which material is

transported along solid pans by the transported along solid pans by the scraping action of crossbars that are scraping action of crossbars that are connected by chains. connected by chains.

Chain conveyors use belts or Chain conveyors use belts or rollers to move objects rollers to move objects

Can handle loads of up 20,000 lbsCan handle loads of up 20,000 lbs Speeds of up to 60 fpm, but Speeds of up to 60 fpm, but

depend on size of object, for depend on size of object, for safety reasonssafety reasons

Relay logic and pneumatic control Relay logic and pneumatic control devices used to control and devices used to control and program the chainprogram the chain

Costs range from $2000-$60,000 Costs range from $2000-$60,000 (depending on amount of control (depending on amount of control logic needed)logic needed)

PortablePortablePortable conveyors are used primarily for Portable conveyors are used primarily for

applications involving mobility and space is a applications involving mobility and space is a high priority.high priority.

Portable conveyors are very versatilePortable conveyors are very versatile Loads of up to 1000lbs (depends on the Loads of up to 1000lbs (depends on the

angle)angle) Can fold up 5-10ft and extend up to 17ftCan fold up 5-10ft and extend up to 17ft Have multiple capabilities depending on Have multiple capabilities depending on

need.need. These are more common for small scale These are more common for small scale

production, where use is temporary.production, where use is temporary.

VibratingVibratingVibrating conveyor’s operation is typically based on Vibrating conveyor’s operation is typically based on

the natural frequency principle. At the natural the natural frequency principle. At the natural frequency, the conveyor will vibrate indefinitely frequency, the conveyor will vibrate indefinitely with only a small energy input. Once the drive with only a small energy input. Once the drive initiates the conveyor's vibration, the supporting initiates the conveyor's vibration, the supporting springs, by alternately storing and releasing most springs, by alternately storing and releasing most of the required energy, help maintain constant of the required energy, help maintain constant motion under the conveyed load. motion under the conveyed load.

Depending on the frequency and the size of the Depending on the frequency and the size of the object can reach speeds as high as 35 fpm object can reach speeds as high as 35 fpm

No programming is needed, uses an on or off No programming is needed, uses an on or off system to control itsystem to control it

Can handle objects <1 - 90lbsCan handle objects <1 - 90lbs Can handle various sizes and shapesCan handle various sizes and shapes Used in pharmaceutical and mining industriesUsed in pharmaceutical and mining industries

Screw/SpiralScrew/SpiralSpiral conveyors are used mainly for heating, Spiral conveyors are used mainly for heating,

cooling or accumulationcooling or accumulationScrew conveyors use a rotating screw in a channel Screw conveyors use a rotating screw in a channel

or tube to move materialor tube to move material Primarily run on a continuous motor that is Primarily run on a continuous motor that is

simply on or offsimply on or off Costs range from $500-30,000 Costs range from $500-30,000 Sizes up to 48” diameter tubing and can stack as Sizes up to 48” diameter tubing and can stack as

high as 50 fthigh as 50 ft Used in the pharmaceutical, food, and Used in the pharmaceutical, food, and

manufacturing industriesmanufacturing industries Useful for accumulation, drying, or moving Useful for accumulation, drying, or moving

vertically in a small spacevertically in a small space

BeltBeltConveyor belts are used in a wide variety of Conveyor belts are used in a wide variety of

material transport applications such as material transport applications such as manufacturing, food processing, and heavy manufacturing, food processing, and heavy industry. industry.

Commercial applications include:Commercial applications include: Agriculture Agriculture Construction - heavy building materials Construction - heavy building materials Food and beverage processing Food and beverage processing Forestry - logging, sawmill, paper pulp, etc. Forestry - logging, sawmill, paper pulp, etc. Mining and quarrying Mining and quarrying Factory production line Factory production line

Belt Width ranges from 12” to 120”Belt Width ranges from 12” to 120”Belt Speeds determined by loads and speed Belt Speeds determined by loads and speed

required. Ex: Bushels/hr dictates size.required. Ex: Bushels/hr dictates size.Prices range from $500 to $30k or more for Prices range from $500 to $30k or more for

custom applications. Depends mainly on custom applications. Depends mainly on Length, Width, and SpeedLength, Width, and Speed

OverheadOverheadOverhead Conveyor Systems are typically used to convey unit loads in a variety of industrial Overhead Conveyor Systems are typically used to convey unit loads in a variety of industrial

applications, such as: applications, such as: Painting - Electrostatic, powder coating, fluidized bed, dip and conventional spray. Painting - Electrostatic, powder coating, fluidized bed, dip and conventional spray. Washing - Parts and dunnage. Washing - Parts and dunnage. Oven - Pre-heat, baking, drying, flash off and curing. Oven - Pre-heat, baking, drying, flash off and curing. Transporting - Products between work stations or plant operations to maximize floor space and Transporting - Products between work stations or plant operations to maximize floor space and

increase efficiency. increase efficiency. Storage - Finished Goods, raw materials, work in process, and tooling.Storage - Finished Goods, raw materials, work in process, and tooling.

Speeds can range from 3 fpm to 60 fpm and more based on application.Speeds can range from 3 fpm to 60 fpm and more based on application.Capacities per unit load range from 30 lbs to 1200 lbs (based on load connector type).Capacities per unit load range from 30 lbs to 1200 lbs (based on load connector type).Unit spacing should be taken into account when determining length and operating capacity Unit spacing should be taken into account when determining length and operating capacity

(varies by connector type).(varies by connector type).Cost is determined by unit load, speed/motor size, and length. Price ranges from $30 per foot Cost is determined by unit load, speed/motor size, and length. Price ranges from $30 per foot

to $100 per foot.to $100 per foot.

SummarySummary Conveyors are very versatile and can be an inexpensive Conveyors are very versatile and can be an inexpensive

way to move thingsway to move things Rollers- are cheap and can move heavy objectsRollers- are cheap and can move heavy objects Chain- are more expensive but can do more complicated tasksChain- are more expensive but can do more complicated tasks Portable- can be useful for small applications and are easy to Portable- can be useful for small applications and are easy to

storestore Vibrating- useful for moving lots of small parts or things that are Vibrating- useful for moving lots of small parts or things that are

misshaped misshaped Screw/Spiral- are useful for accumulation, drying, and moving Screw/Spiral- are useful for accumulation, drying, and moving

things vertically in a small amount of spacethings vertically in a small amount of space Belt- are the most common type of conveyors and are very Belt- are the most common type of conveyors and are very

versatile versatile Overhead- take up less room than other conveyors and can Overhead- take up less room than other conveyors and can

deliver verticallydeliver vertically