High Speed Sorting Conveyor
Transportation Technologies
This category represents the high volume of straight conveyors used to transport a product. In general, these specific conveyors are not intended to be used to accumulate product.
Non-Powered (Gravity)Non-powered conveyors consist of a frame and gravity rollers or wheels. With no power transmission, they are the least expensive conveyor type in this group. They are often used in order fulfillment areas to stage items or containers during the picking process. They are also often installed at a slight pitch to transport items. In this application, the conveyor can accumulate items, but not to the sophistication as the technologies in the next category.
Belt ConveyorBelt conveyor is one of the most commonly used conveyor types because it is a very cost effective option for moving an item from one point to another. Belt conveyor is also the most effective way to change elevation in a conveyor system due to the high friction provided between the carrying belt and the item.
Belt Driven Live Roller ConveyorBelt driven live roller conveyor is similar in construction to a belt conveyor, but with rollers on top of the belt. The belt drive underneath the rollers is typically a flat belt, round belt or v-belt. The roller conveying surface is better suited when items are loaded from the side of the conveyor. Rollers can also provide ''skewing'' functionality to help keep items aligned on the conveyor. Belt driven live roller conveyors are not well suited for elevation changes and are typically more expensive than belt conveyors.
Modular Plastic Belt ConveyorConstructed of plastic modules and hinge rods, and driven and tracked by plastic sprockets, modular plastic belts have the following qualities: high strength, low and high friction options, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, easy to clean, positive drives, and the ability to be built with a variety of flights and other accessories. It is a safe, low maintenance option effective in case handling. It can offer some unique functionality, but is also the most expensive of the transportation conveyors described in this paper.
