Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor | Material Lifts

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors

When you operate a factory, industrial facility, warehouse, or distribution center, you need a safe and effective way to move goods and materials. For any industrial or commercial building of a certain size, vertical movement is critical. Vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) are a powerful and economical way to raise and lower materials between levels.

According to Global Market Insights, the vertical reciprocating conveyor market is set to hit $700 million by 2027. Growth in the sector is due to the increased adoption of advanced technologies across the board, along with expansion in the healthcare sector.

The primary components of a VRC are the guide columns, the carriage, and the actuating mechanism. This mechanism can be operated either mechanically or by hydraulic means. While VRCs feature a reciprocating shaft similar to elevators, they are designed to move goods and not people. This makes them exempt from elevator safety restrictions. VRCs have their own national code (ASME B20.1) as “material-moving” vertical conveyors.

What are vertical reciprocating conveyors used for?

VRCs are used to transport goods and materials between vertical levels of a building or structure. This equipment plays an integral role in many organizations, and it is a powerful alternative to elevators, cranes, forklifts, or manual staff movements.

Benefits of using vertical reciprocating conveyors for material lifting

VRCs offer a range of safety, compliance, and operational benefits to any business. As one of the easiest, fastest, and safest ways to move materials, VRCs are unsurpassed when it comes to managing vertical movements. VRCs are both flexible and robust, with materials and goods able to be transported either up or down between floors, basements, and mezzanine levels.

The following benefits are central to any application:

• Safe and compliant – Material lifts are incredibly safe in most use case scenarios. There is much less danger to workers compared to manual or forklift movements, and compliance is improved due to ASME B20.1 codes.
• Simple to use – Vertical conveyors are designed to be simple, with transparent operating principles combined with reliable technology standards. Because VRCs are classified as a material conveyor, there is no additional training required by OSHA.
• Cost-effective – VRC lift equipment is a cost-effective solution compared to many alternatives. While there is an initial outlay, they are less expensive than elevators and forklifts, and they also require much less maintenance.

Options for material lifts

If you’re thinking about getting a vertical reciprocating conveyor, it’s important to understand the many options available to you. Every business has unique operational needs, with custom solutions designed to cover all possible use case scenarios. For example, you may need to move large pallets, medium-sized carts, or small boxes.

The type of VRC you need depends on the size and shape of your building, along with the specifics of what you need to move and how often you need to move it. The conveyor lifting mechanism can differ considerably between installations, with the following types of lifts available to choose from:

• Mechanical vertical conveyor – These elevator conveyor systems provide fast, smooth, and continuous operation between multiple floors or levels. Mechanical systems are the preferred option for many applications, as they offer higher speeds, improved capacity, and higher cycles than hydraulic systems.
• Hydraulic vertical conveyor – These elevator conveyors are a cost-effective solution for applications that only require movement between two floors. Hydraulic systems have a limited load capacity, so they’re not an option for businesses with large capacity requirements or complex movement needs.

From large warehouses and distribution centers to complex industrial settings and production lines, the vertical movement of goods and materials is central to many businesses. Vertical reciprocating conveyors enable safe, fast, and controlled movements between multiple levels with ease. If you would like more information, please review our products or contact Handling Solutions today.