A package conveyor is used in warehouses or shipping facilities to move packages. There are three types: powered, unpowered, and a combination of both. Belts and rollers are used to move items. Retarders are used to slow down packages and prevent collisions. Some systems combine gravity rollers with motorized conveyor belts, and transfers are used to prevent package damage. The layout of the conveyor system depends on the facility. Customized transportation systems may be necessary to circumvent obstacles.
A package conveyor is an industrial piece of equipment often used in warehouses or shipping facilities to move packages of various sizes from one location within the factory or warehouse to another. Unlike other conveyor systems, the parcel conveyor is specifically designed for the purpose of moving parcels that do not have loose ends that can get caught on conveyor belts or rollers. There are three basic types of conveyors for this application: powered systems, unpowered systems, and a combination of the two. Belts and rollers are the two most common methods of moving items.
A non-gravity powered parcel conveyor will feature a series of metal cylinders or rollers fixed on axles between the frame of the conveyor. Packages placed on this conveyor system can be pushed along the rail and the entire conveyor system can be tilted downwards so that gravity pulls the packages along. Sometimes retarders are placed along the pack conveyor track to slow packs at key points along the system. This prevents packages from gaining too much speed and potentially leaving the track, colliding with other packages or workers standing near the conveyor. Retarders are essentially metal plates mounted between sets of rollers. The friction of the metal plates will effectively slow down the parcels.
Motorized package conveyor systems often have a belt or series of belts to move the packages. Belts rotate around a series of cylinders, some of which are driven by the engine, others provide tension to the belt to keep it from slipping or otherwise becoming damaged. Belt systems are effective because they can prevent loose packaging from snagging the cylinders and are generally easy to tension.
Some systems combine gravity rollers with motorized conveyor belts. These systems can be quite complex and components known as transfers may be required to ensure that packets are transferred smoothly from one system to another. Packages can get caught between the gravity rollers and the moving conveyor belt, potentially causing damage to the package; transfers provide smooth surfaces for parcels to travel on to prevent such damage. The placement of each type of package conveyor system relative to one another will vary depending on the layout of the particular facility where the entire conveyor system is utilized. Sometimes it is necessary to plan customized transportation systems to enable a company to circumvent existing obstacles.
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