Our Blogs Top 5 Conveyor Types and Their Industrial Applications

Date Posted:22 January 2025

By selecting the appropriate type of conveyor for your business needs, you can ensure that your operations run smoothly, reduce manual labour, and enhance safety.

Conveyor systems are essential in various industries, helping to streamline processes, reduce labour costs, and improve efficiency. Whether you’re transporting raw materials, products, or components, selecting the right conveyor type is crucial to meet the specific needs of your operations. In this blog, we’ll explore the top five types of conveyors and their industrial applications, highlighting how each can be used to enhance productivity and safety in your business.

1. Belt Conveyors

Overview
Belt conveyors are perhaps the most widely used type of conveyor system across industries. They consist of a continuous loop of material, typically made from rubber, fabric, or metal, which moves around a series of pulleys. This system is known for its versatility and ease of use, making it a go-to solution for transporting a wide variety of products.
Industrial Applications
•   Food and Beverage Industry: Belt conveyors are widely used in food processing plants, especially for transporting bulk materials, packaged goods, or items that need to be sorted or inspected. Their ease of cleaning and hygienic properties make them ideal for these applications.
•   Manufacturing and Assembly: In production lines, belt conveyors transport parts from one stage of the manufacturing process to the next. They are used for moving products such as electronics, automotive parts, and textiles.
•   Warehousing and Distribution: Belt conveyors are commonly used in warehouses to move goods from storage areas to packaging and shipping zones, reducing the need for manual handling.
Advantages
•   Can handle a wide variety of materials and sizes.
•   Smooth operation with minimal wear and tear.
•   Customisable for various lengths, widths, and configurations.

2. Roller Conveyors
Overview
Roller conveyors consist of a series of rollers placed within a frame. The system can either be powered (motor-driven) or unpowered (gravity-driven), with the product moving by either a motor or the force of gravity. These systems are highly effective in environments where products need to be moved over short to medium distances, often within production lines or warehouses.
Industrial Applications
•   Logistics and Distribution Centres: Roller conveyors are ideal for moving cartons, pallets, and other heavy items across short distances. The unpowered, gravity-fed roller systems are particularly useful in sorting areas where products are directed to different chutes.
•   Assembly Lines: In assembly lines, roller conveyors move parts from one station to the next, often used for heavier or bulkier items. This is especially useful in industries like automotive manufacturing or electronics assembly.
•   Packaging: Roller conveyors help move products to packaging stations, particularly in the food and beverage industries, where items are moved at high speeds to keep up with production demands.
Advantages
•   Suitable for handling heavy and large items like pallets and crates.
•   Gravity-fed systems require no power, reducing operational costs.
•   Low maintenance and long-lasting.

3. Chain Conveyors
Overview
Chain conveyors are designed for moving heavy loads and are typically used in environments where durability and strength are paramount. This type of conveyor uses a chain to pull the material through the system, offering better handling of heavy, bulky items compared to other types of conveyors. The chain can be made from steel, plastic, or other materials, depending on the application.
Industrial Applications
•   Automotive Manufacturing: Chain conveyors are commonly used in automotive assembly lines, where they move heavy components, such as engines or chassis, through various stages of assembly. Their robustness allows them to handle the weight and constant wear of the manufacturing environment.
•   Heavy Industries: Chain conveyors are ideal for applications in industries like mining, steel, and cement, where bulk materials such as coal, ores, and aggregates need to be transported across long distances.
•   Packaging and Palletising: Chain conveyors are frequently used to move large items to palletising stations, where goods are arranged on pallets for shipment.
Advantages
•   Can handle extremely heavy or bulky items.
•   Highly durable and reliable, even in harsh environments.
•   Customisable for specific heavy-duty applications.

4. Screw Conveyors
Overview
Screw conveyors use a rotating helical screw blade to move materials along a trough. They are primarily used for bulk materials and are ideal for transporting powders, grains, or liquids that need to be moved in a controlled manner. The screw mechanism ensures that materials are continuously pushed through the system, making it particularly useful in applications where other types of conveyors may struggle.
Industrial Applications
•   Agriculture: Screw conveyors are commonly used in agriculture for transporting grains, seeds, or feed ingredients. They are especially useful for moving bulk materials that need to be stored in silos or transported to various locations on farms.
•   Food Processing: In food manufacturing plants, screw conveyors help move ingredients, such as flour, sugar, or spices, through mixing and blending stations.
•   Chemical and Pharmaceutical: For moving fine powders or liquids, screw conveyors are widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical production lines. Their ability to contain the material and prevent spillage makes them ideal for these applications.
Advantages
•   Suitable for transporting bulk materials, powders, or liquids.
•   Space-efficient, as they can be installed in a horizontal or vertical configuration.
•   Enclosed design prevents spillage and contamination.

5. Overhead Conveyors
Overview
Overhead conveyors are mounted above the workspace, allowing products to be moved on a suspended track or rail system. These conveyors can be powered or unpowered and are often used in environments where floor space is limited or when there is a need to free up the ground area for other operations.
Industrial Applications
•   Automotive Industry: Overhead conveyors are commonly used in automotive manufacturing for assembling parts, such as body panels or engines. The suspension system allows workers to access the components easily while keeping the floor clear.
•   Warehouse and Distribution: In some warehouses, overhead conveyors are used to transport light to medium-sized packages along fixed routes, helping to improve space utilisation and efficiency.
•   Clothing and Textile: In the garment industry, overhead conveyors help move clothes through the various stages of production, from assembly to packaging. These systems are often integrated with sorting or picking systems to handle large volumes of items.
Advantages
•   Saves valuable floor space, allowing other operations to take place beneath the conveyor.
•   Can transport goods to various heights, useful for multiple-level warehouses or factories.
•   Suitable for light to medium loads.

Conveyor systems are integral to improving the efficiency and productivity of many industries. By selecting the appropriate type of conveyor for your business needs, you can ensure that your operations run smoothly, reduce manual labour, and enhance safety. Whether you need a flexible, energy-efficient solution like belt conveyors or a heavy-duty system such as chain conveyors, there is a system suited for every application.
Understanding the various types of conveyors and their industrial applications will help you make an informed decision about which system best meets your business requirements. If you need assistance in choosing the right conveyor system, it’s always a good idea to consult with an expert in the field to ensure you get a solution that fits both your current and future needs.