Introduction
Rolling and skate conveyors are excellent ways to transport products through a manufacturing process. However, it would be best if you were sure to consider the following factors before purchasing conveyors:
Width of the conveyor
The width is an essential factor to consider before you purchase a rolling or skate transporter. The width determines several other things, including:
- The size and cost of your entire packaging line, which includes other equipment like packaging machines and labelling equipment
- The maximum capacity of your line (how many cases it can hold at one time)
- Whether or not your line will even fit through doors or around corners in certain areas
Type of packaging line
Knowing the type of packaging line, you will install it on is essential. This is because different ones are designed for various applications.
For example, if you want to transfer packages from one place to another, you should use a side-to-side transporter. If you’re going to transport packets from one end of your facility to another, you should use a parallel-style one. You can also use a vertical one if you need something that can lift and lower products.
Transfer height
The transfer height is the distance from the floor to the top of your belt. It’s essential to ensure this space is at least as high as the tallest package you intend to load onto it—if it’s too low, containers will fall off as they transfer onto your system. If it’s too high, however, loading and unloading packages will be difficult or impossible for workers due to their height or lack of mobility.
Conveyor speed
Speed is a factor to consider when purchasing one for you.
The speed at which the transporter moves will determine how fast your packaging line can operate. The faster a product can move through the packaging process, the more efficient it is and the fewer time employees spend slowing down or stopping to perform tasks that could be automated.
A standard roller unit has an average speed of 50 feet per minute (fpm), while most skate units are closer to 100 fpm. However, some rollers can reach up to 180 fpm if manufactured with higher-grade materials and components.
Floor condition
To avoid any accidents and damage to the equipment, it is vital that you consider the floor condition. The floor surface should be as flat as possible, so the system will roll smoothly. You should level them out if there are uneven surfaces before you start using your system.
If conveyors will pass through areas with a slope, it is also essential that you consider this when making your purchase. Slopes can cause the wheels on your roller or skate transporters to lose traction and slip, damaging both yourself and your equipment.
Packaging overload capacity
The first factor to consider is the packaging overload capacity. The equipment can take this maximum weight before it breaks down or becomes overloaded. The higher this number is, the more packages you can move at once.
Another factor to consider is how much weight it can hold before it starts to slow down and how much weight it can hold before it breaks down completely. If you want your business to be efficient, these numbers should be as high as possible so that your company will stay calm with operations during peak hours or on busy days when demand for deliveries goes up.
Conclusion
The above points are just some factors that must be considered when purchasing one. It can be overwhelming and confusing when you think about the different options available. However, with some research and knowledge, choosing the equipment that meets your needs should not be difficult.