This document discusses 7 common types of conveyors: rollers, chain, portable, vibrating, screw/spiral, belt, and overhead. Rollers are one of the most inexpensive and common conveyors that can move heavy objects. Chain conveyors are more expensive but can handle more complex tasks. Portable conveyors are useful for temporary small-scale applications. Vibrating conveyors are well-suited for moving small, irregularly shaped parts. Screw and spiral conveyors are used for accumulation, heating, cooling, and moving items vertically. Belt conveyors are widely used in manufacturing and industries like agriculture. Overhead conveyors maximize floor space and are used for applications like painting, washing, and transporting

1. ConveyorsConveyors

2. IntroductionIntroduction
 Conveyor- a mechanized device used toConveyor- a mechanized device used to
move materials in relatively largemove materials in relatively large
quantities between specific locations overquantities between specific locations over
a fixed path. (Dr. Red)a fixed path. (Dr. Red)
 There are over 400 types of conveyors weThere are over 400 types of conveyors we
are only going to discuss 7 of the mostare only going to discuss 7 of the most
common conveyors that can relate to allcommon conveyors that can relate to all
others.others.

3. RollerRoller
A roller track for a storage rack or roller conveyor, comprising a wall arrangement, and a longitudinally-A roller track for a storage rack or roller conveyor, comprising a wall arrangement, and a longitudinally-
extending array of freely rotatable roller units supported on the wall for supportive engagement with aextending array of freely rotatable roller units supported on the wall for supportive engagement with a
load, the roller units being disposed for rotation about generally parallel horizontal axes which areload, the roller units being disposed for rotation about generally parallel horizontal axes which are
horizontally spaced along a longitudinally-extending conveying direction, each roller unit including anhorizontally spaced along a longitudinally-extending conveying direction, each roller unit including an
annular roller housing supported through an annular array of antifriction bearing elements on aannular roller housing supported through an annular array of antifriction bearing elements on a
support spindle for rotation about the respective horizontal axis.support spindle for rotation about the respective horizontal axis.

Most common are free floating, no mechanical or electrical system usedMost common are free floating, no mechanical or electrical system used

$60-$1000$60-$1000

Can safely go up to 60 fpm (depending on size of material)Can safely go up to 60 fpm (depending on size of material)

Up to 25,000 lbs (for most depends on support and material used)Up to 25,000 lbs (for most depends on support and material used)

No real restrictions on volume of objects used on conveyorNo real restrictions on volume of objects used on conveyor

Roller conveyors are one of the most common conveyors used in industryRoller conveyors are one of the most common conveyors used in industry
because they are inexpensive, simple to use and can vary depending onbecause they are inexpensive, simple to use and can vary depending on
the needs of the business.the needs of the business.

4. ChainChain Chain-A conveyor on whichChain-A conveyor on which
material is transported along solidmaterial is transported along solid
pans by the scraping action ofpans by the scraping action of
crossbars that are connected bycrossbars that are connected by
chains.chains.

Chain conveyors use belts orChain conveyors use belts or
rollers to move objectsrollers to move objects

Can handle loads of up 20,000Can handle loads of up 20,000
lbslbs

Speeds of up to 60 fpm, butSpeeds of up to 60 fpm, but
depend on size of object, fordepend on size of object, for
safety reasonssafety reasons

Relay logic and pneumaticRelay logic and pneumatic
control devices used to controlcontrol devices used to control
and program the chainand program the chain

Costs range from $2000-Costs range from $2000-
$60,000 (depending on$60,000 (depending on
amount of control logicamount of control logic
needed)needed)

5. PortablePortable
Portable conveyors are used primarily forPortable conveyors are used primarily for
applications involving mobility and space is aapplications involving mobility and space is a
high priority.high priority.
 Portable conveyors are very versatilePortable conveyors are very versatile
 Loads of up to 1000lbs (depends on theLoads of up to 1000lbs (depends on the
angle)angle)
 Can fold up 5-10ft and extend up to 17ftCan fold up 5-10ft and extend up to 17ft
 Have multiple capabilities depending onHave multiple capabilities depending on
need.need.
 These are more common for small scaleThese are more common for small scale
production, where use is temporary.production, where use is temporary.

6. VibratingVibrating
Vibrating conveyor’s operation is typically based onVibrating conveyor’s operation is typically based on
the natural frequency principle. At the naturalthe natural frequency principle. At the natural
frequency, the conveyor will vibrate indefinitelyfrequency, the conveyor will vibrate indefinitely
with only a small energy input. Once the drivewith only a small energy input. Once the drive
initiates the conveyor's vibration, the supportinginitiates the conveyor's vibration, the supporting
springs, by alternately storing and releasing mostsprings, by alternately storing and releasing most
of the required energy, help maintain constantof the required energy, help maintain constant
motion under the conveyed load.motion under the conveyed load.
 Depending on the frequency and the size of theDepending on the frequency and the size of the
object can reach speeds as high as 35 fpmobject can reach speeds as high as 35 fpm
 No programming is needed, uses an on or offNo programming is needed, uses an on or off
system to control itsystem to control it
 Can handle objects <1 - 90lbsCan handle objects <1 - 90lbs
 Can handle various sizes and shapesCan handle various sizes and shapes
 Used in pharmaceutical and mining industriesUsed in pharmaceutical and mining industries

7. Screw/SpiralScrew/Spiral
Spiral conveyors are used mainly for heating,Spiral conveyors are used mainly for heating,
cooling or accumulationcooling or accumulation
Screw conveyors use a rotating screw in a channelScrew conveyors use a rotating screw in a channel
or tube to move materialor tube to move material
 Primarily run on a continuous motor that isPrimarily run on a continuous motor that is
simply on or offsimply on or off
 Costs range from $500-30,000Costs range from $500-30,000
 Sizes up to 48” diameter tubing and can stack asSizes up to 48” diameter tubing and can stack as
high as 50 fthigh as 50 ft
 Used in the pharmaceutical, food, andUsed in the pharmaceutical, food, and
manufacturing industriesmanufacturing industries
 Useful for accumulation, drying, or movingUseful for accumulation, drying, or moving
vertically in a small spacevertically in a small space

8. BeltBelt
Conveyor belts are used in a wide variety ofConveyor belts are used in a wide variety of
material transport applications such asmaterial transport applications such as
manufacturing, food processing, and heavymanufacturing, food processing, and heavy
industry.industry.
Commercial applications include:Commercial applications include:

AgricultureAgriculture

Construction - heavy building materialsConstruction - heavy building materials

Food and beverage processingFood and beverage processing

Forestry - logging, sawmill, paper pulp, etc.Forestry - logging, sawmill, paper pulp, etc.

Mining and quarryingMining and quarrying

Factory production lineFactory production line
Belt Width ranges from 12” to 120”Belt Width ranges from 12” to 120”
Belt Speeds determined by loads and speedBelt Speeds determined by loads and speed
required. Ex: Bushels/hr dictates size.required. Ex: Bushels/hr dictates size.
Prices range from $500 to $30k or more forPrices range from $500 to $30k or more for
custom applications. Depends mainly oncustom applications. Depends mainly on
Length, Width, and SpeedLength, Width, and Speed

9. OverheadOverhead
Overhead Conveyor Systems are typically used to convey unit loads in a variety of industrialOverhead Conveyor Systems are typically used to convey unit loads in a variety of industrial
applications, such as:applications, such as:

Painting - Electrostatic, powder coating, fluidized bed, dip and conventional spray.Painting - Electrostatic, powder coating, fluidized bed, dip and conventional spray.

Washing - Parts and dunnage.Washing - Parts and dunnage.

Oven - Pre-heat, baking, drying, flash off and curing.Oven - Pre-heat, baking, drying, flash off and curing.

Transporting - Products between work stations or plant operations to maximize floor space andTransporting - Products between work stations or plant operations to maximize floor space and
increase efficiency.increase efficiency.

Storage - Finished Goods, raw materials, work in process, and tooling.Storage - Finished Goods, raw materials, work in process, and tooling.
Speeds can range from 3 fpm to 60 fpm and more based on application.Speeds can range from 3 fpm to 60 fpm and more based on application.
Capacities per unit load range from 30 lbs to 1200 lbs (based on load connector type).Capacities per unit load range from 30 lbs to 1200 lbs (based on load connector type).
Unit spacing should be taken into account when determining length and operating capacityUnit spacing should be taken into account when determining length and operating capacity
(varies by connector type).(varies by connector type).
Cost is determined by unit load, speed/motor size, and length. Price ranges from $30 per footCost is determined by unit load, speed/motor size, and length. Price ranges from $30 per foot
to $100 per foot.to $100 per foot.

10. SummarySummary
 Conveyors are very versatile and can be an inexpensiveConveyors are very versatile and can be an inexpensive
way to move thingsway to move things

Rollers- are cheap and can move heavy objectsRollers- are cheap and can move heavy objects

Chain- are more expensive but can do more complicated tasksChain- are more expensive but can do more complicated tasks

Portable- can be useful for small applications and are easy toPortable- can be useful for small applications and are easy to
storestore

Vibrating- useful for moving lots of small parts or things that areVibrating- useful for moving lots of small parts or things that are
misshapedmisshaped

Screw/Spiral- are useful for accumulation, drying, and movingScrew/Spiral- are useful for accumulation, drying, and moving
things vertically in a small amount of spacethings vertically in a small amount of space

Belt- are the most common type of conveyors and are veryBelt- are the most common type of conveyors and are very
versatileversatile

Overhead- take up less room than other conveyors and canOverhead- take up less room than other conveyors and can
deliver verticallydeliver vertically