What are some helpful tips for choosing the right conveyor system?

30-03-2022 439

To ensure you receive a high return on investment, conveyor selection must be made with key considerations, like product type, weight of your product, available facility space, environmental conditions and cleaning and maintenance resources.

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Choosing the right conveyor system for your plant will require understanding the different types of conveyors and designing which material handling system is most compatible with your operations. There are dozens of types of conveyors to choose from, each with their own benefits, and choosing the best one for your company will depend on certain factors. In our guide to choosing the correct conveyor for your operation, we'll talk about the different types of conveyor systems and what to look out for.

Key factors to consider when choosing a conveyor type



With so many different types of conveyors to choose from, you need to recognize the unique needs of your product and operation and how they will ultimately affect your choice of conveyor system.
 

- Product parameters



The unique quality of your product and the material to be conveyed plays the most important role in determining the right type of conveyor system for your company. Before deciding on a conveyor belt, consider the length, height and width of the product. Product weight also plays an important role as it determines the size of the motor required.

How bulky is the material? Does it have other handling-requiring characteristics, such as high humidity or explosiveness? Is it flammable? Does the material need to be transported gently? Does the material have characteristics such as corrosion and wear, or does it need to maintain a specific temperature?

- Layout and available space



You may not have enough floor space or ceiling height to accommodate certain types of conveyors. So sometimes the choice of conveyor belt depends on how much room you have to install the material handling system. Conveyor system designs can be arranged depending on the production process, inclination and product transfer requirements. It can also include corner sections and utilize the overhead space.

Remember that the layout of the production line must take into account easy accessibility for cleaning and maintenance, worker safety and operational efficiency. The best system designs optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and productivity.

- Base environment



Your goal should be to move materials in a way that doesn't negatively impact the plant's operating environment. Is the material flammable, and does it pose a fire or explosion hazard? Does the material allow dust particles to fall onto processing equipment and the floor of the workshop?

When choosing the right conveyor system, consider whether your product is sensitive to high temperatures or vibrations. Must materials be kept safe, clean and free from contamination? Therefore, in cases where the material being transported needs to be kept as clean as possible, it is best to use a sealed conveyor that does not expose the material to impurities that could affect its quality.

- Cleaning and maintenance



Remember that your food processing facility and the conveyor belt you install must be designed to minimize contamination in order for it to achieve safety compliance. When comparing different conveyors, think about how much time it will take to disassemble and clean the system. At the time, some inexpensive conveyor systems sounded like a good deal. But how much manpower and resources does it cost you to clean regularly to meet health and food safety standards?

- Price



Cost will always play one of the biggest roles when it comes to choosing a conveyor system. The short-term savings on an inexpensive conveyor, however, are quickly offset by the waste or breakage of valuable materials. A cheap conveyor today will cost you a lot more.

Ultimately, it's best to invest in the right equipment now rather than suffer the consequences later. A cheap conveyor belt can even cost your business, especially if it turns out to be your inability to comply with health and safety rules and regulations.

Conclusion



To ensure you receive a high return on investment, conveyor selection must be made with key considerations, like product type, weight of your product, available facility space, environmental conditions and cleaning and maintenance resources.

And while cost also needs to be taken into account, it's still better to invest in the right material handling equipment right away. The wrong conveyor system can lead to injuries and accidents, product loss, and failure to follow procedures enforced by regulatory agencies that allow you to continue your business