Conveyor System

What Are Conveyor Systems?

Conveyor systems are sophisticated mechanical handling apparatus used in various industries to efficiently transport items, products, or materials from one location to another. The main purpose is to automate the movement of objects. For example, conveyor systems can be used for:

• Moving products down an assembly line
• Sorting products in distribution centers
• Feeding raw materials into a processing machine
• Salvaging of scrap from a machine
• Packaging and labeling of products
• Inspection of products on a production line

A conveyor system minimizes human error, enhances workplace safety, reduces labor costs, and optimizes the transportation of heavy loads. This is a key instrument in manufacturing, logistics, and material handling. 

Conveyor systems come in various types, including:

• Belt
• Roller
• Cross Belt
• Overhead
• And more

They can be equipped with features like shuttle conveyors, which offer variable speed and direction control, enhancing their versatility. 

How Does a Conveyor System Work?

At the core of a conveyor system are the conveyor belts — the most common method used to convey products. Conveyor belts consist of two or more pulleys with a continuous loop of material that rotates about them. Each pulley is powered, moving the belt and the material it carries forward, using gear or belts that interlock the pulley wheel and the belt.

The types of conveyor systems vary in complexity:

• Roller Conveyors use a series of rollers co-powered to convey loads.
• Chain Conveyors use parallel chains or a series of chains with powered wheels or casters that move pallets or other rigid, stable loads.
• Slat Conveyors use a slat belt to convey loads.

Complex systems may also include:

• Conveyor sortation systems that use different methods to sort packages to their intended destinations.
• Overhead conveyors that move loads safely over obstacles and through factory air spaces.

In addition to the physical conveyor components, there is often a control system that manages the flow of materials. It can be as simple as an on-off switch or as advanced as a sensor-backed automated system. 

IO-Link Wireless and Conveyor Systems

IO-Link Wireless enables flexible yet reliable communication between controllers and automation devices. It enhances the modularity and reconfigurability of conveyor systems. Here are a few ways IO-Link Wireless impacts their efficiency:

• Reduced Downtime through Predictive Maintenance: IO-Link Wireless sensors integrated with conveyors can provide real-time data on their health, allowing predictive maintenance to replace parts before they fail.
• Quick Changeovers for Product Variants: With wireless connectivity, conveyor configurations can be adjusted without the need for physical rewiring.
• Enhanced Reporting and Diagnostics: By transmitting data wirelessly to central systems, conveyors equipped with IO-Link can offer granular analytics.

Incorporating IO-Link Wireless into conveyor systems is just one example of how technology is revolutionizing manufacturing and logistics. It demonstrates how common industrial instruments can be optimized by adopting the newest industry developments.