Handling Solutions Inc.Handling Solutions Inc.Conveyor Belts Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems move materials from one point to another. Though there are different conveyor system designs, they all share the same general structure: a frame with wheels, rollers, or a belt. The power can come from gravity or a motor. In some cases, someone can manually push the materials using the conveyor for assistance.
The two most common types of conveyor systems are belt and roller conveyors. Both are common in warehouses and logistics facilities, where they transport and accumulate products. Both belt conveyors and roller conveyors are used for assembly, sorting, inspection, and packing.
Though they have similar functions, there are important differences between belt and roller systems. Each kind has advantages that make it best suited for specific tasks.
There are some noticeable differences between belt conveyors and live roller conveyors.
A roller conveyor consists mainly of solid, tube-shaped rollers, which directly contact and transfer motion to the materials that they transport. These rollers may be steel or composite tubing. Some roller systems are gravity-powered, but live roller conveyors rely on a motor.
A belt conveyor, on the other hand, has a single, flat steel or composite belt for its surface. It provides stable support for the materials, and it gets its power from a drive pulley or a rotating cylindrical tube driven by a motor.
There are many subtypes for both conveyor systems. For example, roller conveyors may be belt-driven, roll-to-roll-driven, and chain-driven. On the other hand, belt conveyors can have an angled design (such as trough belts) or be completely level (flat sidewall belts). There are numerous designs, but for this article, we will focus on two of the most common: the powered belt conveyor and the live roller conveyor.
Live roller conveyors use steel or composite rollers that directly contact with and transmit motion to the conveyed product or material. The name “live rollers” comes from the fact that they get power from a motor (instead of gravity or manual operation). Live roller conveyors can be either belt-driven or chain-driven.
Live rollers are most common in settings that call for transporting large or heavy products, including cartons, boxes, and pallets.
Belt conveyors have a steel or composite belt that sits on top of rollers or a smooth slider bed. Typically, a motor-driven cylinder underneath the belt or at the end of the conveyor powers the system. The belt comes into direct contact with the conveyed product or materials.
This conveyor system provides a high degree of control, especially when moving materials on incline, curve, and decline. Belt conveyors are common for jobs that require moving irregularly shaped objects, small and medium boxes, and fragile objects. They are also regularly used for moving objects of all sizes up or down an incline.
Live roller conveyors are ideal for general-purpose operations where precise positioning and control are not important or when products are likely to be in continuous flow. However, it is essential to note that transfer speed will not remain constant. Instead, it will depend on the weight and volume of the materials.
Typical applications for live roller conveyor systems include:
Belt conveyor systems are most appropriate for complex situations requiring more precise control and positioning. They are especially advantageous when transporting products on a sloped surface or moving fragile or irregularly shaped objects.
Typical applications for this type of conveyor include:
Choosing the right conveyor system can improve productivity and efficiency and limit the chances of damage to products. To learn more about different conveyor systems and get help with the selection process, visit our conveyor product page or contact Handling Solutions to request a quote.
With the highest quality products from top-rated vendor partners and over 50 years of experience in the industry, we create handling systems for any product, in any space.
