Gravity conveyors use rollers or wheels to move goods without power, reducing noise and electrical usage. They come in expandable, roller, and skate wheel designs, and can be portable and modular. Weight ratings vary and it’s important to choose the right one to avoid equipment failure.
A gravity conveyor uses gravity to pull goods along a series of rollers or wheels to move them between locations. These conveyors do not require power to operate; this can reduce noise and electrical usage in the production area. Plus, many are portable and can be configured for a variety of applications. This may include placement in sites where a feeder is not readily available and a conventional conveyor cannot be used. The equipment is available for purchase, lease or hire from a variety of locations.
There are three basic gravity conveyor designs, including expandable, roller, and skate wheel designs. The expandable tapes are foldable for easy transportation. When not in use, they can be folded up and snapped together to keep the components together. Technicians can unfold the gravity conveyor and quickly install it, complete with height and angle adjustments, when they need to use it in a specific location. Such conveyors can be light and inexpensive.
Roller gravity conveyors use a series of lubricated rollers. As the items slide down, pulled by gravity, the rollers spin to push them along the conveyor. Objects can accumulate momentum and can travel considerable distances on such devices. The distance between the rollers can be varied to solve problems with falling objects during travel. These types of conveyor systems can be suitable for very small items.
One design of a skate wheel uses a set of free-spinning wheels, rather than rollers, in the bed of the conveyor. This may be suitable for large items such as boxes and lumber. Smaller items may be prone to falling or snagging on conveyor components. Like roller conveyors, they can be made modular to allow engineers to add and subtract components to change the size and layout of the conveyor line. This can also make them portable for use in various locations, rather than a fixed factory or facility.
Weight ratings for gravity conveyor models may vary. It is important to purchase equipment with the right rating to avoid equipment failure. Warping can cause cracking and fatigue, and can even cause the entire conveyor line to stop because the gravity conveyor may not be able to overcome the weight of the items. Companies typically provide brochures with information on their full range of products, including models with different weight limits to meet specific needs. Some companies rent out their equipment for customers to try it out before committing to a purchase.
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