Conveyor Design: Key Factors for Optimal Performance

Conveyors are an essential component of many manufacturing processes, enabling the efficient movement of materials from one stage to another. From food processing to automotive assembly, conveyors play a critical role in streamlining operations and maximizing productivity. However, not all conveyors are created equal. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when designing a conveyor for optimal performance.

Material Characteristics

The first consideration when designing a conveyor is the material or product being conveyed. The characteristics of the product, such as its size, weight, shape, and fragility, will determine the type of conveyor needed. For example, we recently designed and built a conveyor to transfer salmon roe (fish eggs) from the ground floor up to a mezzanine. The solid corrugated belt was required so as not to lose or damage any of the product. This belt, however, would not be suited for dehydration or air-drying applications. You can see some of the types of conveyors Innotech has built over the years here.

Throughput Requirements

Another critical factor in conveyor design is throughput requirements. The conveyor must be able to handle the required volume of material efficiently and reliably. The throughput will determine the conveyor speed, size, and configuration. Often constraints will determine the optimal throughput, and it is the responsibility of the designer to maximize efficiencies given the limitations present.

Environmental Conditions

The environment in which the conveyor will be used is also essential to consider. Factors such as temperature, humidity, dust, and corrosive materials can affect the performance of the conveyor and its components. The conveyor design must take into account the environmental conditions to ensure it can operate effectively.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount when designing a conveyor. The conveyor must be designed to minimize the risk of injury to operators and damage to the equipment. Guarding, emergency stop buttons, and safety light curtains are just a few of the safety features that should be incorporated into the design.

In addition to keeping workers and equipment safe, food safety is paramount in many applications we see here at Innotech. Equipment must be designed for a washdown environment to minimize risk of bacteria growth and other pathogens. You can read more about how we design for this here.

Maintenance Requirements

Conveyors require regular maintenance to ensure they operate efficiently and reliably. When designing conveyors, the ease of access for maintenance and repairs is heavily considered. Components such as bearings, rollers, and belts should be designed for easy inspection and replacement.

Power Requirements

The power requirements of the conveyor must also be considered. The motor size and type, as well as the power source, will depend on the size and configuration of the conveyor and the material being conveyed.

In conclusion, conveyor design is a complex process that requires careful consideration of several key factors. Our engineering team has decades of experience working with myriad conveyor applications and can determine the optimal configuration using these factors when considering a design / build. Have a need for infeed, transfer, singulation, converging, or any other type of conveyors? Get in touch with us for a consultation and learn how Innotech can get your operation running as smoothly as possible.