Conveyor Systems

A Conveyor System is not just the belt that is prominently seen. It is often a complex creation achieved through the application of deft engineering skills. The success of any operation that requires material handling depends on the speed, efficiency and dependability of its Conveyor System. Usually, in major projects, it is not something that is bought off the shelf and installed. It has to be designed and engineered to suit specific requirements.

A Conveyor System consists of several components, like frames, trusses, legs (adjustable if so required), wires, pulleys, rollers, belts, chains, bearings, sprockets, sheaves, V-belts, guards, electricals, discharge gates and throats, speed controls, weighing mechanism, drip pans and belt cleaning arrangements. Some parts are standard and others specially made. For the food-processing industry, special grade materials may have to be used. Where a dust-free atmosphere is needed, the system has to be totally enclosed.

There could be single line or multi-line systems. A single line may fan out to a battery of lines that sometimes move at lesser speeds. An example is a feeder supplying to sorting and inspection lines, which are usually slower. Here the discharge throat moves from one line to the other and comes back to the first.

In a shrimp processing facility, for instance, the de-shelled material may have to be washed before further processing. A mesh conveyor with water sprouts could be used to clean the material before it moves to size-wise sorting, inspection, and freezing or cooking as the case may be.

While some systems operate continuously at a steady speed, others may have to stop at different stations for fixed periods and then proceed. An example is an automobile assembly line. This function may be pre-set or manually arranged.

The points to look for while ordering a Conveyor System include low initial and operating costs, efficiency, endurance and safety. Also check on the specifications applicable. A single system may have to meet different standards. For instance, a food processing line has to conform to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements as well.