Picking Conveyors
Conveyor systems are crucial to companies and facilities with a high amount of product that moves. Getting the product from delivery to storage, and from storage to the processing area or loading dock requires careful planning for an efficient and safe operation.
Distribution centers and warehouses can operate more efficiently with an integrated conveyor system.
We can help custom design a system made from prefabricated and custom-made components.
Conveyors come in a multitude of different types, choosing the best one(s) for your application depends on what is to be transported and the conditions of where it is to be transported. Three common types are skatewheel, lineshaft accumulation, roller, and beltconveyors.
Skatewheel conveyors are not powered. This typeof conveyor consists of rails supporting crossbars with individual wheelsinstalled across the length. We recommend skatewheels for moving small packages with flat bottoms (or items placed in flat-bottom bins). The items can be propelled by hand or can be installed at a slight decline to allow gravity to help move theproduct along. Skatewheel conveyors tend to be lighter, and easily relocated to another area as required.
Roller conveyors feature rollers closely spaced along the length of the conveyors and come with or without motors. A variety of products from light to heavy can be moved on rollers, and they can handle loosely-bagged items as well. As with skate wheel conveyors, these allow manual propulsion, usually placed on a slight decline to take advantage of gravity. These are commonly used as a pick to conveyor in an order picking system.
Lineshaft conveyors are a prime solution forthe conveyance of loads that weigh up to 15 lbs./roller, at speeds of 25-120 FPM. As with all roller conveyors, they are designed for evenly distributed-flat-bottomed loads,like as those found in any package handling, warehouse, and food packaging environment. For optimum line shaft performance, the environment must be oil-free clean and dry.
As the conveyor fills up with the product that is being conveyed, the spools that drive the rollers under the product slip on the driveshaft, then allowing the product to accumulate with a minimum amount of back pressure. A variation of line shaft, 24 V flat motor conveyors, provides the accumulation via photo eyes, zones are created which start and stop as directed through the systems programming. The product does not touch each other with this type of conveyor.
Belt conveyors also are useful for changes in elevation or transporting product from one area to another. Belts conveyors are powered, use them on inclines and declines. Belts work well with automatic processes including labeling and painting.
Flexible chain conveyors are quiet and flexible. They can work through curves as well as inclines and declines. They allow very tight turns, which saves floor space. These conveyor systems are especially useful in industries processing lighter items, including the pharmaceutical, food production (assuming light cleaning requirements), and printing industries.
Don’t forget about your loading dock. Extendable and telescoping conveyor units can be extended into truck trailers backed up to the loading dock. Loading can also be assisted by expandable conveyors. These portable units fold up accordion-like and can be moved to the location needed. Some have motors to convey product, while others work with gravity.
Contact us today for all of your storage and material handling concerns.
