How to Choose the Best Conveyor – Conveyor Guide 2024

posted in: Conveyor Guide

How to Choose the Best Conveyor for your Application

SPG Conveyors

How to choose the best conveyor system for your needs? There are various types of conveyors and conveyor manufacturers to think about. Opting for the right conveyor can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, while also making the work environment more ergonomic for the employees.

  • When choosing a conveyor system for your specific use, keep these factors in mind:
conveyor applications

              INDUSTRY                                                 PRODUCT                                                  HANDLING

How to Choose the Best Conveyor System for You

Things to Consider


conveyor gear icon  INDUSTRY

The industry a conveyor is designed for can impact multiple factors of their design. As an example, a conveyor for transporting food products will need to be built with quality, hygienic, food grade materials. A packing application may need an intergrated system combining a conveyor with packing tables, which would improve efficiency and create an egonomical working environment for your employees. In conclusion, knowing your industry well can help aid in designing a conveyor system to be perfectly suited for its application.
Additionally, an extra point to consider is energy efficiency and cost, say your product is a food item, it may need to be transported quickly by a conveyor system. Will a higher speed motor be more efficient? If so, will this impact budgets?

  • Application examples:

+ Warehouse & Logistics
+ Vehicle Loading
+ Packing
+ Food & Drink
+ Manufacturing
+ Sortation
+ Floor to Floor

 


Packing boxes conveyor guide icon   PRODUCT

When deciding on a conveyor it is important to know the product it will be transporting. Features about the product including dimentions and weight will determine a conveyors specific details during the design stage.

  • For example, consider these types of questions:
+ Is it flammable?
+ Does it require special treatment due to conditions such as high moisture?
+ Size, shape, weight and material of product?
+ Is the product fragile?

 


product handling conveyor system icon   HANDLING

How to choose the best conveyor? Consider the product that will be handled by employees, this will determine whether or not a powered, unpowered or a combined system is best suited. If more handling of the product is required, extra details on the conveyor system design (such as safety rails or conveyor motor speed) and guidelines will have to be considered for the safety of staff.
When designing a production line conveyor system layout for example, consider the space available and the accessibility for cleaning and maintenance staff. These two factors could change the entire shape and design of a system, thinking about these points will create an optimal production line design, which will prioritize work flow and enhance productivity.

+ How often will employees handle the product?

+ What is the available space for the conveyor system?

+ Does the conveyor design require extra safety details for employees?

+ Does the production require an accumulation / Rotary table?

Our team can guide you in choosing the right conveyor system for your application, please consider information such as:

  • Industry
  • Product
  • Budget
  • Available Space

Contact our team through the Spaceguard Enquiry Form or alternatively find more information about our bespoke conveyor products and contact our team via our sister website: www.conveyorsystems.co.uk.

 

  sales@conveyorsystems.co.uk

 01482 363445

rotary table accumulation table

A Rotary Table can be a useful addition to your production system for product accumulation.

Click here to contact our team to discuss conveyor options and recieve a free quote

Scroll down for more info about conveyor types!
conveyor types

Conveyor Types

There are numerous conveyor types and custom options available on the market today. Below are some of the most commonly purchased and utilized conveyors across various industries. Our company specializes in designing and building standard conveyor systems, as well as collaborating closely with clients to create completely bespoke conveyor system designs, tailored to their specific space and requirements.

Let's begin by exploring the two most common conveyor styles:

Roller Conveyors

roller conveyor icon

Most Commonly Transported Items on Roller Conveyors

  • Crates
  • Boxes
  • Totes
  • Cartons
  • Trays
  • Pallets

Roller conveyors consist of a continuous row of rollers, making them ideal for transporting flat objects with a rigid base. This design ensures smooth movement across the rollers.

Unsuitable Items: Loose items, such as bags and packets, are not recommended for roller conveyors as they can become stuck or caught between the rollers. The transported product should cover several rollers to ensure efficient movement along the conveyor.

Common Applications: Roller conveyor systems are frequently used in industrial warehouses, production factories, assembly lines, and airports.

 

spg conveyor systems

 

 

 

Belt Conveyors

pvc belt conveyor icon

Most Common Items Transported Using Belt Conveyor Systems

  • Packaged Products
  • Loose Materials
  • Packets & Bagged Goods
  • Food & Drink Products
  • Luggage

Belt conveyor systems feature a continuous belt made from various materials, allowing for smooth transportation of items. They are the most versatile conveyor type available, thanks to the variety of belt options and a flat surface that can transport almost any product.

While belt conveyors can transport nearly any item, sharp or very heavy products may cause damage to the belt.

Common Applications: Belt conveyors are widely used across numerous industries, including farming, e-fulfillment centers, warehouses, supermarkets, factories, and mining.

Belt Material Examples

conveyor belt materials

When to Use a Belt Conveyor Over a Roller Conveyor

Advantages of Belt Conveyors:

  • Versatility: Belt conveyors can transport a wide variety of items and products, whereas roller conveyors may snag loose items or allow smaller items to fall through gaps between the rollers.
  • Reduced Handling: Belt conveyors require less manual handling, which can improve employee well-being and morale. This also reduces the risk of human error during product transportation.

Consider Belt Conveyors for:

  • Diverse Product Types: Ideal for transporting different sizes and types of items without the risk of snagging or falling.
  • Employee Efficiency: Suitable for environments where reducing manual effort and minimizing human error is important.

Applications: Belt conveyors are perfect for settings where smooth, continuous transportation of various products is needed, enhancing efficiency and safety in the workplace.

 

Commonly Used Conveyors

24 volt conveyor choosing the right conveyor

24V DC Roller Conveyor

 

  • Powered conveyor systems
  • Very Versatile
  • Low-Maintenance
  • Energy Efficient

bottle slat conveyor

Slat Conveyors

 

  • Ideal for food & beverage
  • Variable Speeds
  • Stainless Steel chains available
  • Completely Customisable

modular conveyor blue choosing the right conveyor

Modular Conveyor

 

  • Resistant to Chemicals
  • Food Safe
  • Highly Customisable
  • Suitible for wet environments

lineshaft conveyor

Lineshaft Driven Roller Conveyor

 

  • Uses a series of bands to connect each roller to a spinning shaft underneath
  • Great for cartons, boxes or totes

gravity conveyor choosing the right conveyor

Gravity Roller Conveyor

 

  • Unpowered - Uses momentum of gravity
  • Easily transports goods
  • Special Application versions available
  • Robust & Reliable

ball table conveyor

Ball Tables

 

  • Multi-Directional movement
  • Unpowered
  • Great for transferring & turning heavy objects
  • Choice of ball size & pitch

flexible conveyor choosing the right conveyor

Flexible Roller Conveyors

  • Also known as 'Expandable Conveyors'
  • Different Roller Styles available
  • Heavy Duty options
  • Ideal for smaller spaces & Storage

pallet conveyor unit

Pallet Conveyor

 

  • Less Forklift Use
  • Pallet Accumulation
  • Improved Health & Safety
  • Low Maintenance
  • Faster Transport Time

conveyor manufacturers uk

 

 

Receive a FREE quotation

Please complete the form below to send a message to our team.

For product and pricing enquiries please include a brief overview of your requirements.

Quick response guaranteed
8-5pm Mon to Thurs, and 9-3pm on Fridays

 

Contact Conveyor Systems