What Is a Conveyor?
Conveyors enhance facility efficiency, reduce manual labor and maintain production flow. They handle high volumes, are cost-efficient and provide safety by reducing human interaction with heavy materials.
Airports use conveyor systems to swiftly transport luggage. They also use sanitary conveyors for food processing. Whether you need to move small parts or large pallets, these systems are designed for your specific application.
Belts
A belt conveyor is a system that allows you to transport goods and materials over long distances in an automated manner. This technology reduces labor costs, increases efficiency and enhances safety on the production floor. It can also reduce the time it takes to complete a project. Henry Ford used this type of moving assembly line to lower the amount of time it took to build a car from 12 hours down to just an hour and a half.
Belts come in a range of shapes and sizes. They can be made from metal, fabric or plastic and are designed to handle a variety of different products. They also come with different types of covers, including flame-resistance, low-temperature resistance and oil and grease resistance.
The core of a conveyor belt is called the carcass. It has lengthwise polyester threads and crosswise polyamide threads that provide a high tensile strength, flexibility and durability. The Carcass is then covered with a protective layer to ensure that the conveyor stays clean and prevent contamination. Screw take-ups are Conveyor the most common way to control belt tension on short conveyors. However, they aren’t able to handle the stretch that occurs in conveyors longer than 100 meters.
Rollers
Industrial rollers are the foundation of conveyor systems. They make the machine move smoothly and reliably. They’re particularly important in high-speed printing machines that print thousands of sheets per day. Any slight movement can result in distorted or misplaced images, costing businesses money and time.
Rollers are available in several different materials and designs. The material and construction determine how durable they are and which industry they’re best suited for.
Steel and stainless steel are the most durable rollers for heavy loads, but they’re also more expensive. Polyurethane is a more affordable and durable alternative to steel. It can handle extreme temperatures and lasts longer than sleeve rollers.
PROK rollers are engineered for smooth rotation, low noise and long service life. They have a hollow shaft for weight savings and precise bearing bores to reduce vibration. They’re also fire resistant and anti-static to prevent dust accumulation.
Chains
Chains are a pivotal driving element, propelling conveyor systems manufacturers either conveyor belts or materials themselves. They are available in a multitude of resources, and the ideal choice will depend on factors such as weight and dimensions, operating conditions, setting environment, degree of curve and durability.
Conveyor chains are indispensable tools for modern industrial material handling, offering efficiency, reliability and versatility across a range of applications. They are often made from hardened, wear-resistant materials and feature specialised coatings to resist outdoor elements and abrasive substances. They also come in a variety of widths, slat types and spacings, and can be augmented with attachments to fit specific conveying applications.
Agricultural chains, for example, can be enhanced with friction inserts that provide a gentle grip on the abrasive substances they transport, while magnetic chains use magnets to keep ferromagnetic materials stable. Correct chain lubrication is essential to minimise power absorption, noise, wear rate and corrosion. This can be achieved by using a quality mineral oil with medium viscosity or by opting for self-lubricating chains.
Sensors
Sensors translate physical attributes into observable electrical impulses, and they are key components of the Internet of Things. They monitor and exchange data with other devices and administration systems, improving operational efficiency and facilitating preventative maintenance.
Conveyor belt sensors provide critical information that help you optimize conveyor system speeds, tensions, and load distribution. They also alert you to potential safety hazards and enable proactive maintenance, reducing downtime and boosting productivity. In addition, conveyor belt sensors help you identify problems and prevent them from occurring, leading to significant cost savings over the lifespan of your equipment.
When installing conveyor sensors, ensure the system is powered off and locked out to prevent accidental activation. Carefully read installation manuals to understand sensor requirements and recommended procedures. Once installed, test the sensors by running the conveyor at a known speed to calibrate and verify their accuracy. Sensors should communicate with the conveyor system using standard communication protocols to ensure seamless integration.
Controls
There are a few things that a conveyor system must have in order to be safe for employees. This includes ensuring that emergency stops are clearly visible and easy to access, posting warnings and labels throughout the conveyor, providing safety equipment (hard hats, glasses, etc) and training for workers, and regularly inspecting and maintaining the conveyor system.
A good conveyor needs to be able to respond to changes in package sizes in three ways: altering their speed, changing the timing and physically spacing diverting accessories like sorters, gates and lane dividers. To do all of this, the conveyor requires a control system, and the most basic is a simple dry contact switch that uses an electromagnet to pull down a dry contact to cut off the motor.
SICK sensors are also important for detecting clogs and jams in the conveyor belt and sending signals to the controller to act. Finally, a good system should allow for built-in adaptation so that workflows can be improved over time and the conveyor can continue to meet new requirements and increase throughput.
