Conveyors, also known as industrial conveyors, are an essential component of today’s logistics and industry, where automation plays an increasingly important role. These systems efficiently transport all types of materials, optimize product flow, reduce costs, and improve safety when handling goods in all types of warehouses, factories, and logistics centers.
Conveyors come in a wide variety of models and configurations to meet the unique needs of each sector. Incorporating these systems makes all the difference, but what are the main conveyor models and what is their ideal application? We’ll explain.
Main Types of Conveyors
Industrial conveyors can be classified according to their design, load type, structure, sector, etc. A selection of the most representative models, as pointed out by the intralogistics automation specialists at MIM Patchwork Service, could be the following: “belt, telescopic, roller, chain, vertical, or hanging conveyors.”
Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors transport goods using a belt that moves between two drums. The load remains stationary throughout the entire journey, while the system takes care of all the work. Therefore, they are highly stable, making them the ideal device for moving fragile or small goods. Furthermore, they can adapt to a wide variety of operational needs, such as straight routes, curved paths, inclines, and more.
They are especially useful in key processes such as receiving, picking, and shipping, thanks to their ability to optimize work time and reduce manual effort.
Telescopic Conveyors
These devices streamline the loading and unloading of goods using a telescopic system of sliding sections with belts or rollers on their surface. Their extendable structure allows for length adjustment, and they feature a control panel that allows for speed, height, and direction adjustments.
They optimize available space and facilitate the flow of goods for loading and unloading trucks, containers, and rail cars. For this reason, they have already become an essential solution in warehouses, ports, and distribution centers.
Roller Conveyors
These types of conveyors specialize in the transfer, accumulation, and distribution of goods on pallets. The goods are moved by motorized rollers. Furthermore, their modular structure allows these devices to adapt to all types of workspaces. Regarding their applications within industry, these devices are found in strategic areas such as receiving, distribution, and shipping.
Chain Conveyors
Chain conveyors transfer, accumulation, and distribution of goods on horizontal pallets when roller systems are not possible. They have an impressive capacity to handle heavy loads and adapt to different configurations. These unique features make these conveyors a key solution for logistics automation.
Vertical Conveyors
These systems allow for the vertical transport of goods and are the best option both for optimizing space and for creating high-density warehouses. They feature a modular design with different formats (spiral, inclined, etc.) that integrates easily with other industrial equipment such as roller, belt, or chain conveyors. Available in various sizes and heights, these conveyors allow the transfer of bags, trays, boxes, or pallets.
Hanging Conveyors
These conveyors transport and sort products suspended on hangers or clips vertically or horizontally. The system completes the route using a chain that can rotate, tilt, or advance in a straight line. They are common in the textile industry, but are also capable of transferring light loads using hanging bags. Among the most recognized types of these conveyors are the pin and click models.
Pin conveyors, ideal for up-and-down systems, transfer hangers with pins without accumulation and feature optical sensors at the beginning and end of the section that activate or stop the system depending on the flow of garments. Click systems, on the other hand, secure garments with clips that allow them to be compressed to optimize space. This type of model can be used as a conveyor, sorter, and even an accumulator.
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