Have you ever wondered what’s the secret behind effortless material handling in your industry? Conveyors are the most underrated system in your industry that acts as the backbone of every production line. No mater you are running a food and beverage industry, or managing a manufacturing unit, conveyor systems have made a remarkable impact in streamlining your daily operations.
If you are planning to equip your production line with the best conveyor system, you need to partner with top-rated industrial conveyor system manufacturers.
This blog shares some of the best types of conveyor systems that are widely used in different types of industrial operations.
Why are conveyors considered the backbone of every industry?
Conveyors are considered the backbone of every industry due to their crucial role in streamlining and simplifying industrial operations. They are designed to enhance operational productivity while also ensuring the safety of goods.
According to statistics, the world conveyor system market has witnessed significant growth with its revenue reaching $13.21 billion in 2032. This data justifies the importance of conveyors in modern industrial setups. These systems are essential for the smooth movement of materials and goods through different stages of production, assembly, packaging, and distribution processes.
Here’s a brief for understanding the market share of conveyor systems.
| Current market size | 9.13 billion USD in 2023. |
|---|---|
| Future market size | 13.21 billion USD in 2032. |
| By region | Europe, Asia-pacific, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, North America. |
| By type | Belt conveyor, roller conveyor. |
| By industry | Retail, Manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, and automotive. |
| Driving forces | Adoption of automation, attract foreign direct investments, increase in retail packaging. |
| Key players | Daifuku Co., Ltd., Siemens AG, Dematic Group, Emerson Electric Co., Interroll Holding Ltd., Taikisha Ltd., Swisslog Holding AG, SSI Schäfer AG, Vanderlande Industries, TGW Logistics Group Gmbh. |
- Conveyor systems promote the utilization of space by allowing vertical or horizontal movement of items within limited factory floor space dimensions.
- Conveyor systems can be scaled up or down to fit specific requirements for industries like mining which needs it for transporting heavy loads or electronics assembly where it is used with fragile components.
- Consequently, this equipment is compatible with applications across diverse industries, ranging from automobile assembly to food processing to pharmaceutical manufacturing and logistics.
- Conveyors are not just tools, but they act as the strategic assets that drive your industrial growth. Implementing conveyors facilitates efficiency in different types of warehouses, cost reduction, and better safety protocols for your production line. These attributes make them indispensable equipment for any competitive industrial operation.
Types of conveyor systems that you can integrate into your industry
As the leader of industrial conveyor system suppliers, we facilitate a diverse range of conveyor systems that are designed to integrate different applications of your industrial unit. Here are our most popular types of conveyor systems that you can leverage to get optimum productivity in your production unit.
Bucket Elevators
Bucket Elevator Conveyor Systems are vertical conveyors created to transport bulk materials efficiently. They have buckets that are connected to a belt or chain that carries goods up and down, so it is convenient for moving heavy, bulky, or fragile items without causing much harm.
Benefits
- Space-Saving: Efficient vertical transport reduces floor space requirements.
- High Capacity: Capable of moving large amounts of materials rapidly.
- Versatile Material Handling: Suitable for a wide variety of bulk materials.
- Gentle Handling: Minimizes damage to delicate or fragile materials.
- Reduced Spillage: Enclosed design prevents material loss during transport.
Ideal Industries: Agriculture, mining, food processing, chemical manufacturing, and cement production.
Redler Conveyors
Redler Conveyors are chain conveyors designed for the transport of bulk materials, both horizontally and inclined, which provide uniform flow.
Benefits:
- Maintenance - Free: Well-built thereby reducing regular repairs.
- Dust-free Operation: Enclosed structure thus little dusting and spilling observed.
- Energy Efficiency: Low power consumption leads to pocket-friendly running costs.
- Flexible Layouts: Suitable for complex routing paths.
- Reliable Performance: Consistent material handling across different types of bulk products.
Ideal Industries: Grain processing, chemical manufacturing, power plants, and waste management.
Bulk Flow Conveyors
Bulk Flow Conveyors are designed to carry large quantities of bulk materials over long distances efficiently and reliably.
Benefits
- High Throughput: Possesses ability to move enormous amounts at once.
- Long-distance Transportation Capability: Operates in extended periods.
- Robust Design: Intended to withstand hardy conditions found in industrial areas.
- Versatile Applications: Fit for a diverse type of bulk materials.
- Costs Saving: Reduces the need for different conveying systems.
Ideal Industries:Mining, agriculture, waste management, cement production.
Screw Conveyors
Screw conveyors employ a rotating helical screw blade (generally within a tube) in order to move granular or liquid-based materials necessary for controlling flow rate on a consistent basis.
Benefits
- Compact Design Saves Space: It requires little floor space.
- Versatile use: Aids in handling a variety of commodities.
- Controlled Flow: Accurate material control system.
- Easily Installed by Anyone: Can be installed in many ways being flexible as well as simple.
- Low Maintenance Minimizes Downtime: It is quite durable with few repairs required.
Ideal Industries: Food Processing, Wastewater treatment, Agriculture, Chemical Manufacturing.
Belt Conveyors
Belt Conveyors consists of an unending belt that moves goods or things from one point to another. Their simplicity and efficiency make them widely used.
Benefits
- Great Efficiency: Rapid and trusted transport of materials.
- Versatile Usage: Can be used with different kinds of materials.
- Scalability: Quick adjustment to diverse lengths as well as capacities.
- Low Operational Cost: Cheaper in terms of long-term use.
- Easy Maintenance: A simple repair and upkeep process.
Ideal Industries: Manufacturing, warehousing, mining, logistics.
Gravity Roller Conveyors
Gravity Roller Conveyors work by gravitational force, moving goods down an incline without the need for electricity. It helps in reducing costs related to energy consumption during material handling processes.
Benefits
- No Power Required: It operates without using electrical power.
- Simple Design: It is easy to set up and operate.
- Cost-Effective: Low beginning and running expenses.
- Low Maintenance: Only minor servicing needed.
- Flexible Layouts: Readily adaptable to a range of spaces.
Ideal Industries: Warehouses, distribution centers, assembly lines, packaging.
High Angle Conveyors
High Angle Conveyors are called as such because they help in the development of materials at steep angles or even vertically thus making use of space effectively.
Benefits
- Space Efficiency: Maximizes Vertical Space Utilization.
- High Capacity: It handles large quantities.
- Durable: It has been built to bear heavy weight.
- Versatile Applications: Fit for many types of substances.
- Minimal Footprint: It needs less space on the floor.
Ideal Industries: Mining, Construction, Waste Management, Agriculture.
Stackers
Stackers are a type of conveyor used in industrial settings to stack bulk materials into piles which facilitate storage or retrieval processes.
Benefits
- Rapid Material Stacking: This is done efficiently by a stacking machine.
- Large capacity: It deals with huge volumes of goods at once.
- Stacking Versatility: For variable heights stacks configuration.
- Cost-Effective Storage: It saves on storage area requirements more than anything else.
- Automated Options: Most efficient when automated for higher productivity rate.
Ideal Industries: Mining, agriculture, ports, and manufacturing.
Slat Conveyors
Slat Conveyors utilize slats attached to chains to move heavy or bulky items thus ensuring long-lasting strength and dependability during material transport.
Benefits
- Heavy Duty-Impressive weights can be handled without breaking them apart.
- Durable: Designed for long life.
- Smooth Operation: Material flow is consistent.
- Low Maintenance: Able to be serviced with ease and fewer flaws.
- Customizable: Tailored to meet specific requirements.
Ideal Industries: Automotive, Manufacturing, Packaging and Recycling.
Wheel Conveyors
Wheel Conveyors use a series of wheels to move products manually, making them suitable for basic and cost-effective material handling.
Benefits
- Cost Effective: It is cheaper to move materials.
- Easy Installation: It has a quick setup.
- Maintenance Free: It takes less effort for servicing or keep them clean.
- Flexible Use: You can use it for different goods.
- Manual Control: Allows you to operate it with your hands.
Ideal Industries: Warehousing, assembly lines, retail, and distribution.
Pencil Conveyors
Pencil Conveyors are a type of small tube conveyor used for carrying light or fragile materials over short distances with precise control.
Benefits
- Compact Size: Space-limited installation.
- Precise Handling: Fragile item consideration.
- Efficient Transport: Rapid and accurate transfer of materials.
- Low Power Consumption: Energy-saving work mode.
- Easy Integration: It can be included in existing systems.
Ideal Industries: Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Small parts manufacturing and Food processing.
Airport Bagging Conveyors
As the name itself suggests, the airport Baggage Conveyors are designed to move luggage through airports efficiently.
Benefits
- High Efficiency: It enables faster baggage handling
- Automated Sorting: It is more accurate and has fewer errors
- Durable Construction: It can withstand heavy use
- Streamlined Operations: It reduces delays that passengers face
- Customizable: It fits different layouts and requirements in the airports
Ideal Industries: Aviation industry, Airport operations, Logistics.
Thus, these are the different variants of conveyor systems that are compatible with diverse range of industrial applications. Besides, you can upgrade these conveyor systems with upcoming trends. For the edible oil production business, importance of material handling is essential and you cannot ignore the role of conveyor systems for your refinery plant.
Future Trends in Conveyor System
Industrial operations are on the verge of major transformation due to the combination of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, and AR into conveyor systems enabling unprecedented levels of efficiency and productivity.
According to reports, the impacts of the circular economy and the rising number of industry 4.0 are the driving forces for conveyor systems. Such innovations allow for real-time monitoring, predict machinery breakdowns, seamlessly integrate with other automated systems, and ensure their place at the top of the Industrial Revolution.
AI Integrated Automation
The future of conveyor systems is progressively tied to artificial intelligence (AI). AI can improve the operations of conveyors by continuously identifying product defects, and quality control.
Internet of Manufacturing Things (IoMT)
Attaching conveyor systems to the Internet of Manufacturing Things (IoMT) will redefine industrial operations. It allows for effective monitoring and control of all activities carried out during a production process, leading to improved efficiency and automation.
Robot Integration
Conveyor systems are becoming more interwoven with robotics, allowing for highly automated and adaptable factory environments. Robots can be programmed to work in tandem with conveyors, performing tasks like pulling products off shelves or sorting them into bins on different levels.
Preventive Maintenance using AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is transforming the approach to maintenance in conveyor systems. AR technologies allow maintenance personnel to visualize and interact with conveyor components in a virtual environment.
Smart Conveyors
They are fitted with sensors, IoT devices, and AI to facilitate optimum performance and decision-making. These conveyors can adjust their speed, identify and divert substandard goods, and communicate with other machines on the production line.
Eco-Friendly Conveyors
Eco-friendly conveyors have become required due to calls for sustainable manufacturing practices. Such systems incorporate lower energy consumption features that utilize recyclable materials and have minimal emissions.
Customized Conveyors
This has resulted in customized conveyors since each industry has specific needs regarding material handling processes. Customized solutions guarantee better performance along with integration within the current working process, thereby boosting general efficiency and efficacy.
The combination of AI, IoMT, robotics, and AR within conveyor systems is a leap towards smart factories. These trends are likely to make production better and cheaper leading to manufacturing excellence in the future.
How to find the best-suited conveyor for your industry?
To optimize your industrial operations, it is important that you choose the right conveyor. The perfect conveyor will help improve efficiency, reduce costs and allow smooth material handling. To choose the best conveyor that suits your industry among others use these criteria:
Floor or Overhead
Figure out if a floor or overhead conveyor system is better for your space and flow of work. For bulky heavy materials that need a convenient approach at ground level, floor conveyors are more advantageous than overhead ones. On the other hand, overhead conveyors may be best for business industries that aim to maximize floor space and efficiently transport things above ground, such as car manufacturing or garment handling
Compact or Large Scale
Compact systems are meant for cramped spaces. They are good when there is limited space in an industry, such as electronics manufacturers because they have small, precise functions.
Large-scale systems would be required in high-volume production settings like mining enterprises where huge amounts of goods should be moved quickly and efficiently.
Customized or Standard
Customized systems address unique operation requirements by providing answers to special processes, unusual spatial constraints, or particular material handling demands.
In comparison with standard conveyors which can adequately handle most common industry activities without extensive modifications but at relatively low cost.
Load or Unload
Conveyors designed for loading should be robust and capable of handling heavy materials with ease.
Unloading conveyors might need features like smooth, controlled release mechanisms to prevent damage to the materials or products, crucial for industries like shipping and logistics.
Speed Requirements
To ensure the desired pace is matched by the belt, it is important to determine your production line’s speed requirements. High-speed conveyors are very vital in industries with fast-moving production lines like food and beverages or pharmaceuticals.
In ceramics or glass manufacturing, slower conveyor belts could suffice as these items need to be handled carefully.
Using the above criteria, you will be able to select a conveyor system that aligns with your specific industry needs. This will improve productivity, ensure operational efficiency, and support overall business objectives.
Conclusion
The choice of conveyor systems should be made with care to optimize industrial operations. The floor or overhead placement, scale, customization, loading or unloading capabilities, and speed requirements must all be considered when looking for a conveyor that will help you improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and achieve your business goals.
Today’s conveyors are more flexible and efficient than ever before thanks to technological advancements in AI-driven integration, IoMT, robotics, and AR.
Each type of conveyor system has certain strengths that make it suitable for particular industry applications. Therefore, knowing these types along with their uses is beneficial when choosing the right conveyor system to meet your operational needs. Connect with conveyor system manufacturers for every industry like N&T Engitech to make your materials handling smooth, cost-effective, and efficient.
