Warehouse conveyor systems are widely used in numerous industries, effectively and quickly moving goods throughout a facility. Before their development, this movement was done by humans. Let’s look at the different types of conveyors and their benefits.
All conveyor systems essentially transfer goods from point A to point B, with modern conveyor systems assisting with almost every phase of material handling/transportation.
Key benefits
Conveyor systems eliminate the need for human workers to physically carry goods around the warehouse/plant. This increases productivity, which is realised in faster picking, dispatching, and restocking.
The other main benefit is that the warehouse/plant becomes safer. By using conveyors, there is a significantly reduced risk of injuries from lifting, pulling, or carrying.
Experts in pneumatic conveying systems
If you feel your business could benefit from pneumatic conveyancing systems, there are several companies that specialise in these and can provide advice/guidance. Many of these firms, such as https://www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying-systems/, have useful online resources.
Types of conveyors
There are, perhaps surprisingly, more than 20 types of conveyors. The most commonly used are:
– Belt conveyors – a moving belt turned by motorised pulleys.
– Pneumatic conveyors – move goods using vacuum or air pressure.
– Gravity conveyors – a series of cylindrical rollers set at a slight decline.
– Sortation conveyors – systems that merge, identify, and separate goods.
– Walking beam conveyors – move material forward in incremental steps. Often seen on assembly lines.
Factors influencing the choice of conveyor
The key factors that influence the choice of conveyor include the product type, product weight, product dimensions, distance that needs to be covered/travelled, the travel path, and the transfer speed required.
Conveyor systems cost
The cost of conveyor systems varies considerably depending on the size, power (motorised or manual), and any specific requirements. There is significant potential for savings over their useful life; in fact, savings of over 50% have been regularly achieved by switching to either partly or fully automated conveyor systems rather than manual.
Although conveyor systems are not suitable for every facility, they can be genuinely transformative.
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