Conveyor Belt Systems - A Simple Guide on How They Work

In simple terms, a conveyor system is a machine that uses gears, motors, chains, and belts to move products along a predetermined path. Whether they’re going up, down, around, or across your facility, all conveyors do one simple thing: Move.

They’re used in countless industries to speed up production, reduce waste, improve safety, and seamlessly transport your materials where they need to go.

As we’ve mentioned, conveyors get your products going. But how? In most cases, conveyor systems use electric motors to turn rollers and belts, which, in turn, move your products from one place to another. They come in many different configurations and are made to tackle a wide range of product types and sizes. So, no matter the project or scale, there’s a conveyor system that’s just right for the job.

Conveyor systems can also be augmented with add-ons that simply production, increase throughput, and improve safety. Sort, separate, accumulate, and more with connected sensors and components to get your products from one part of the plant to another. Your business can move faster, produce more, and will cost less to operate with a well-built conveyor system by your side.

Conveyor systems come in different types and are built to suit certain applications and settings. Some of the most common conveyor systems include:

• MDR Conveyors : Multi-directional roller conveyor systems use powered or gravity-fed rollers to transport materials. These conveyors are a great choice for small to mid-sized products, and can be combined with countless other conveyor technologies to create a seamless production schedule.
• Incline and Spiral Conveyors : Incline and spiral conveyors use rollers and belts to move materials vertically. They’re an ideal choice for multi-level facilities or environments where space is a concern.
• Belt Conveyors : As their name would suggest, belt conveyors use motorized belts to move products from one location to another. They’re often used for loose materials and are a go-to choice for food production facilities due to their easy cleaning and sanitization capabilities.
• Overhead Conveyors : This conveyor type flips the script on traditional production by utilizing overhead tracks with mounted trolleys to transport materials. This design is often used in automotive production and is a great way to use less floorspace while still enjoying the benefits of ample vertical room.
• Magnetic Conveyors : As you might suspect, these conveyors use magnets to move materials around. They’re often used in conjunction with lubricants and fluids to submerge or move products through wet production facilities.
• V-Shaped Conveyors : A V-shaped conveyor is designed to move irregularly shaped objects without fear of them falling off or becoming damaged.

Conveyor systems allow businesses to move forward at speeds that would have been unheard of 100 years ago. They help increase productivity, reduce material waste, enhance safety, and lower the average production costs.

Beyond increasing your production flow, these systems can streamline complex tasks and reduce the need for worker involvement. They can also significantly speed up tedious projects where human error could be costly.

So, no matter what business you’re in or what you’re producing, a conveyor system will be critical to your success.

Conveyors are integral to production at any scale. They’re regularly used for:

• Manufacturing & Assembly : Conveyors are common pieces of equipment in manufacturing where components move from one area to another in a production line.
• Warehousing & Distribution : Speed and accuracy are critical in warehouses and distribution centers. Conveyor systems help move packages from receiving docks to storage shelves, and from order-picking areas to shipping zones, streamlining your production flow.
• Food & Beverage : The food and beverage industry relies on sanitary, food-grade conveyor systems to handle everything from raw ingredients to packaged goods. Flat belt conveyors are often used because they’re easy to clean and resist contamination.
• Agriculture : In agriculture, conveyors are used for tasks like sorting produce, loading grain, or moving packaged goods.
• Recycling & Waste Management : Conveyor systems make it easier to sort and move materials in recycling facilities. Magnetic conveyors are especially helpful for separating ferrous metals, while roller and belt conveyors help route items to shredders, balers, or sorting lines.

If you have products that need to get from A to B, a conveyor system is unmatched in its sheer potential. These pieces of equipment can be custom-designed to fit your facility layout and production needs, so that you’ll be able to quickly and safely get your materials out the door and where they need to go.

Russell Conveyor and Equipment is proud to be a trusted conveyor systems manufacturer, with years of experience delivering high-quality solutions, transparent practices, and honest pricing. Our technicians will work closely with you to fabricate a custom conveyor that fits your facility and throughput needs, and our customer support will be there for you long after the sale with regular maintenance and repair assistance.

Call us today at (336) 526-3014 to learn more about one of the foremost conveyor system companies in the industry. We’ll answer your questions and get your business moving forward.