Guide to choosing the right type of conveyor for the warehouse

29-03-2022 255

Deciding on the right conveyor system can be a daunting task as identifying, developing and purchasing “ideal” material handling system designs as conveyor systems varies from extremely simple come very complicated.

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Conveyor belts are often an important part of automated production systems. They safely move parts and products through your entire warehouse. Automated conveyors are best suited for warehouses if you want to reduce human involvement.

Deciding on the right conveyor system can be a daunting task as identifying, developing and purchasing “ideal” material handling system designs as conveyor systems varies from extremely simple come very complicated.
 
 

Ask yourself these five questions before deciding on your conveyor system:


- Is it relevant to the current situation in your warehouse and ideal for adapting to future changes?
- Is it safe to operate?
- Is it reliable and requires only minimal maintenance?
- Is it as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible?
- Is it cost effective in operation and within your budget?

Warehouse conveyor systems are considered small-value assets, which is why they are often considered final in the planning process. Due to this fact, the decision to purchase the type of conveyor system largely depends on the initial purchase cost and not on the total acquisition cost.

You risk disrupting warehouse and distribution center productivity by purchasing the wrong conveyor system, which can quickly affect productivity and efficiency and reduce your competitive advantage.
 

Product Specifications


Consider these 4 factors when deciding which conveyor system is best for you:

1- Product size
Consider the length, width and height of the product before deciding on a conveyor system that meets these specifications.

2 - Product weight
Consider the weight of the product when choosing a conveyor system. The weight of your product plays a huge role in sizing your conveyor's motor as well as the amount of curves that will be added.

3 - Production speed
Production speed is measured in parts per minute/hour and, together with product length, allows you to determine the appropriate conveyor speed needed in your workplace.

4 - Product Type
Moving many different types of products with each different type of product followed is a determining factor in the choice of conveyor type.
 

Impact of the process


During manufacturing, the main point of interest is part orientation. If the part has a process that is done in different machines and it is not possible to change the process, then an automated system needs a conveyor capable of matching your requirements.

If a change in part orientation is important to your process, the material handling conveyor will need additional equipment to monitor it. Precise indexing conveyors are often a good choice as it handles the orientation of the part during transit so other equipment can easily track it.
 

The effect of composition


The layout of the conveyor can determine the type of conveyor you need and the materials to use. If the arrangement requires tilt during transport, the belt material will have to be coarse enough to hold the material in place. Angle conveyors will need to include corner sections using different materials to ensure the intended path is followed at the required speed.
 

Environmental conditions


Consider the environment your conveyor will be placed in. An example of this can be seen when your warehouse is handling metal parts where oil residue or metal billet can enter your conveyor causing problems.
 

3 factors to consider when looking for conveyor belts for your warehouse:

 

1 - Maintainability

Choose conveyors that are easy to maintain and are less likely to fail and reduce productivity.
 

2 - Safety

Some conveyor types have built-in safety features while others require extra precautions to be taken to protect your employees.
 

3 - Energy Efficiency

Some conveyors consume less energy than others. Simply programming your conveyor and part of the system to shut down or sleep when not in use can help reduce your energy costs.

Contact Intech's team of experts today to learn more about choosing the best conveyor for your company. Hotline: 0983 11 33 87