It may not be possible to entirely automate a production line or packaging operation, although installing custom conveyor systems can help to keep manual handling requirements down to the minimal level.
Manual handling tasks have potential to lead to injuries over time and the manipulation of relatively small loads can cause muscular injuries, discomfort or worker fatigue.
Installing efficient conveyor systems means that boxes, goods, bags, cartons and packages can be effortlessly transported to where they are needed with minimal effort.
The risk of staff suffering injuries can be reduced, breakages will be minimized and the speed of packaging and production can be significantly increased.
Installing the correct system can streamline work in a production facility and can greatly improve the cost effectiveness of a business operation.
Which Conveyor Systems are Best for your Business? Conveyor systems are broadly divided into two categories: belt conveyors and roller conveyors.
Belt conveyors are ideally suited for food production facilities, abattoirs and manufacturing applications, when goods need to be handled and transported with care.
The belt system is better suited to moving objects of irregular size and can be used to transport goods to different levels within the workplace.
Roller conveyors can be gravity operated or motorized, and are best suited to the movement of boxes, regular shaped packages and heavy loads.
They are low cost, easy to maintain and can be bolted together to form a continuous conveyor system.
It is straightforward to purchase and install additional components such as transfers, metal detectors and gate modules.
The roller system is also used for flexible conveyor systems which can be moved around a production facility as required and used for safe vehicular transfer in warehouses and loading bays.
Check Load Capacity All conveyor belt and roller systems have a maximum load capacity, so it is important that the maximum loads are calculated before purchasing.
When heavier objects such as pallets need to be moved, dedicated pallet conveyors should be purchased.
These are more robust and are capable for transporting much heavier loads safely.
Pallet conveyor belts can save many man hours and usually greatly improve productivity and efficiency in production facilities and warehouses.
Off the Shelf and Custom Conveyor Belts Quality equipment manufacturers supply conveyor belt modules which can be easily bolted together to form a complete custom system, tailored to the needs of the business.
These units offer the maximum in convenience and can be easily, cheaply and quickly installed.
Often additional equipment is required to ensure goods can be safely transported onto and off belts and rollers.
Incorporating a scissor lift table or pallet elevator at each end allows workers to unload and palletize goods in an ergonomic position, which reduces fatigue and improves productivity.
Most manufacturers can make custom systems to suit the needs of specific businesses and provide quotes for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of a complete production line facility.
This is often the most practical and cost effective way of implementing a new system quickly with minimum disruption to a business.