Automated Conveyor Systems

Material Handling Conveyor Systems

Conveying System efficiency is essential to providing a business with smooth product flow. They help to streamline internal logistics in all types of production environments by transporting, controlling, tracing, and accumulating products and their related movement. Conveying equipment facilitates the creation of automation systems and production processes to add value, control quality, and to help expedite delivery of goods and products to their ultimate destination.

Package and Tote Handling

Package and Tote handling conveyors are some of the most commonly applied equipment in material handling today. Available in powered and non powered, with rollers, skatewheels, and belted carrying surfaces these conveyors are integrated into material flow layouts to create efficiency in all types of industrial applications.

Accumulation conveyors use photo eyes or mechanical sensors to space apart or create “buffer capacity” between varying production processes. These buffer zones are dependent upon the type of operation (for example, loading trailers, or, feeding a tape machine) and allow for a consistent flow of goods throughout the

Parcel and Mail Handling

Parcel and Mail handling conveyors take into account the unique handling requirements for envelopes, slick parcel type packages and flat cartons.Belted conveyor systems are most commonly applied as they can provide bulk type handling. Downstream, other types of automation equipment can singulate and orient these items to permit automated sortation into bins, chutes, or to trailer loaders.

Belted systems can also be designed to create accumulation buffers to space apart, gap, and to create “buffer capacity” between varying production processes to allow a consistent flow between the origination point and the final output of a material handling system.

Manufacturing and Assembly

Manufacturing and Assembly systems require either synchronous or non synchronous type material and / or product flow. In either instance, common systems can employ simple roller or belted conveyors to create stand alone manufacturing, production, or assembly type work cells or even fully integrated plant wide material handling systems. Typically used in conjunction with automated machinery, flexible work cells, robotics, and lean type operations, position and accuracy are often critical elements as well as being able to track product movement throughout the system.

Food and Beverage

Food and Beverage conveyors work in unique environmental conditions where they may require FDA / USDA approved construction materials. Special design and assembly considerations are often necessary to permit ease of cleaning and wash down. They are designed to provide reliable performance in refrigeration units, freezers, and in humid areas. Some are high speed in nature to maximize output of the bottling, filling, or food production processes. Downstream systems are used to package, seal, weigh, label, and palletize in the most efficient manner possible.

Cross Docking

Cross Docking provides the opportunistic or pre-planned ability to move goods directly from receiving to shipping without the need for any intermediate storage requirements. Cross docking applications can include high speed conveyor and sortation systems, or can include palletized loads being redirected by forklift. An inbound ocean container or trailer being cross docked to outbound trailers begins with packaged goods manually offloaded onto a series of telescoping conveyors that eventually feed into a centralized sortation system.

The incoming goods are scanned, automatically re-labeled (if necessary) by print applicators and then inducted onto the sorter. Based upon the allocation assignments of the trailer order, items are automatically sorted to outbound conveyor lines or chutes married to particular pallet locations on the floor or directly into an assigned trailer – all within just minutes.

Pallet and Drum Handling

Pallet and Drum Handling solutions require stable, powerful and reliable transportation systems. Special consideration for load orientation and equipment selection must be given due to the wide variety of available conveyors used to move, accumulate, transfer, rotate, and elevate their heavy loads often measured in tons. To cost effectively manage the investment and operation of these systems, heavy duty drag chain, roller, and even belted units for moving slipsheeted loads are carefully engineered into integrated systems to provide long lasting service.

Downlines and Chutes

Downlines and Chutes are often overlooked regarding the total value they bring to shipping operations. Engineered to absorb the full brunt of upstream fulfillment, processing and sortation volumes, they are responsible for collecting and holding packaged goods, materials and orders in a responsible non-destructive manner. From these lines, packaged goods are released and delivered directly into trailers or containers for manual loading or for being stacked onto pallets positioned nearby.

Available in a wide variety of configurations including powered decline belts, gravity rollers with airbrakes, slides, spiral chutes and other, the value engineering of this particular area is important due to the potential number of downlines needed for a particular operation.

Trailer Loading and Unloading

Trailer Loading and Unloading conveyors can significantly improve dock productivity, workplace ergonomics, and trailer rotation. Telescoping Boom Trailer Loaders and Flexible Conveyors enable “fluid loading” and unloading of trailers and containers. They fully extend into open trailer workspace, minimizing walk and carrying distances which improves ergonomics and workplace safety.

The telescopic action and height positioning adjustment of the boom unit is fully controlled by the operator at the discharge end with joystick control. The flexible unit is typically manually adjusted by pulling the unit behind the employee. Positioning helps to create the most productive work environment possible for the employee as he moves into and out of the trailer. They are used to handle parcels, packages, boxes, tires or any other form of loose-loaded cargo.

Spiral Conveyors and Vertical Lifts

Spiral conveyors provide a compact solution for elevation change through the use of a single side-bending flat plastic chain running the entire distance, or with a series of successive inclined belt curves. They provide continuous product flow and can be simple and reliable as a normal straight conveyor. Dual lanes can run side by side, and different input and outputs can be engineered into the unit to reduce the total number of spiral conveyor units required.Vertical Conveyors move materials, products or supplies perpendicularly from one level to the next.

Provided as either a Continuous Vertical Conveyor where continuous product flow is uninterrupted for high volume operations, or as Reciprocating Conveyor Lifts for slower reqirements or much heavier payloads. They have their own national code (ANSI/ASME B20.1) and are specifically exempt from the national elevator code. Vertical Conveyors provide efficient, convenient and safe access to/from mezzanines, balconies, basements, and between levels in multiple story buildings. They can be installed for through-floor, interior or exterior applications.