An overhead conveyor uses a chain instead of a belt and is thinner, making it useful for structures with twists and turns. Trolleys can hold up to 100 pounds and the system allows for efficient use of space, but may not be suitable for heavily loaded structures.
An overhead conveyor is an overhead system similar to a floor-level conveyor belt used to transport items around a facility. Unlike a belt conveyor, which is belt driven, an overhead conveyor is chain driven and is considerably thinner. Trolleys – the units that hold items – are usually rings or hooks, and each can support a significant amount of weight. This conveyor can be used in many types of installations but is particularly useful in those that require bends in the conveyor. Such a conveyor makes good use of space, but may not be suitable for heavily loaded structures.
Most conveyor units are belt driven which means that one large belt spans the entire conveyor and is responsible for all primary movement. Instead of using a belt, an overhead conveyor uses a chain. By using a chain, the rails, or rails, of the overhead conveyor are much thinner. The chain is less likely to wear out than a belt, which usually results in lower operating costs.
Many types of trolleys have been made for air transport systems, but the basic trolleys are rings and hooks. Hooks and bin units are fairly common but are generally for specialized purposes. This makes the overhead conveyor a versatile system that can be converted to hold almost any item. Most trolleys can hold 10 to 100 pounds (4.5 to 45 kilograms), but specialized trolleys can hold much more.
Elevated conveyor rails can be bent easily, so this conveyor is typically used in structures that require a lot of twisting and turning before the item reaches its destination. This is because the rail can be deformed to any angle during the manufacturing process. Chain can easily be threaded through curved rails, whereas a webbing would take much more work to curve.
Another benefit of using an overhead trolley is the efficient use of space. A conveyor belt is bolted to the ground, so nothing else can be placed there. With an overhead conveyor, the conveyor can be raised high enough in some areas so that workers can walk underneath the conveyor. While this is impossible due to the structure’s ceiling height, it still leaves floor space for extra hardware and machines that might not otherwise fit. A disadvantage of this conveyor is that, while it can hold considerable weight, conveyor belts can typically hold more; a facility that handles very heavy items may not be able to use an overhead conveyor.
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