Conveyor: what it is, types, application

Conveyor is a device for the permanent transportation of loose, lumpy or piece goods from one point to another. Their design differs depending on what type of objects need to be moved. Conveyors have different drive systems - auger, rollers, hinges, etc. The design of the moving belt or other conveying device also differs.

Types of conveying goods on a conveyor

Conveyors are differentiated by the direction of movement of piece objects, lumpy or bulk materials on the conveyor:

• A horizontal conveyor is installed in shops, in production, where there is no difference in height from the starting point to the receiving point.
• A vertical conveyor lifts and lowers cargo between equipment located at different levels. It is used as forklifts to unload products into a hopper, the back of a truck.
• Conveyor at an angle - objects are moved at an angle.

Consider the types of conveyors by design and operating principle. They differ depending on their purpose.

Screw conveyor

Inside the long tube is placed a screw - a helical rod. The pulley is connected to the motor with a belt and serves as the drive. The rotating auger pulls loose products and moves them up vertically or at an angle and in a horizontal plane. It is used to move cereals, dry construction mixtures, chemicals. The disadvantage of such equipment - the contents can be grinded and damaged, so it is not suitable for the delivery of seed grain.

Belt conveyor

These models are the most commonly used, especially for transporting piecemeal items in manufacturing, mines, agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry. Conveyor belts can move various kinds of cargo in circles, vertically, horizontally, and sloping. The belt conveyor is based on a looped wide belt made of rubber or special dense fabric. The vertical models have hooks on it, fixing objects. This is gentle transportation.

Bucket conveyor or noria

Such a model is called an elevator. A belt or roller chains with attached buckets are stretched between the drums. As they rotate, they scoop up the load, lift it up, and tip it over. Because there are many buckets, transportation is fast. The load is not damaged. The purpose is to move liquids and loose goods vertically upwards.

Slat conveyor

The belt is made up of metal plates on hinges, which makes it stronger. It is capable of moving heavier loads than rubber belts. A slat conveyor moves horizontally or at a 70-degree angle. It moves stones, rock, limestone, etc. along the line.

Roller Conveyor

A roller conveyor is designed to move loads horizontally. There are rollers on the line at a certain distance. When they spin, the load shifts and rolls over them. Roller conveyor installed at sawmills, in warehouses, where they move piece goods, different packaging, in the shops where they produce rolled metal.

Overhead conveyor

Suspended conveyor is a single-rail track suspended on supports. Carriages with load fasteners move along it. Traction is by chains or ropes. Moves containers or piece items inside the shop. Often built into the production line at distilleries, pharmaceutical and food processing plants.

Conveyors ensure the delivery of various goods: raw materials or packages with goods in a large enterprise, the purchases of supermarket visitors or bags of airport passengers. It is an essential element of production lines and the modern service industry.