There are two primary types of Conveyors. These include:
Gravity conveyor: The simplest kind, gravity conveyors feature an incline and use the force of gravity, or of a person, to push the load along the conveyor surface. The main types include:
- Chute conveyor – The most basic style, chute conveyors feature a solid surface made of metal or plastic that is angled down in a straight or spiral configuration. The load slides along the surface.
- Gravity roller conveyor – Support a load on a series of rollers with internal ball bearing rings mounted on axles at fixed intervals in a frame. They come in straight, curved, spur or merge configurations.
- Gravity wheel conveyor - Ideal for light duty handling of loads with flat, smooth bottoms, gravity wheel conveyors support the load on a series of skatewheels mounted on a shaft in a frame. The conveyor sections can be fixed or a flexible, expandable accordion frame.
Powered conveyor - Driven by either an electric or pneumatic power system, a powered conveyors’ movement is driven by motors and drives. There are several types, including:
- Accumulation conveyor - A conveyor that accumulates loads at a location. To avoid any abrupt collisions of (or damage to) the loads, a variety of methods are employed to slow their travel speeds. These include non-contact, minimum pressure and zero pressure.
- Belt conveyor - A powered conveyor that transports loads on belts made of fabric, rubber, plastic, leather or metal. Types include roller belt, slider belt and telescoping belt.
- Chain conveyor – Transports of heavy unit loads (such as pallets or containers) chain conveyors use a single or double chain that provides the driving force to pull the load forward.
- Live roller conveyor – This is the most common conveyor used in warehousing. Loads travel on rollers mounted in a frame and powered through various means. Types include: belt driven and line shaft driven.
- Poternoster or platform conveyor - A type of vertical conveyor that includes multiple, equally spaced, load-carrying units fixed to chains that move continuously in an endless loop. This permits automatic loading and unloading.
- Slat conveyor - Utilizes one or more endless chains that have non-overlapping, non-interlocking, spaced slats attached. Loads ride on the slats.
- Vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) - For transferring a load from one level to another, VRCs feature a carrier that moves up and down to carry materials or objects from one belt or roller conveyor to another. They can be power or gravity actuated, and can operate automatically or manually.
There are three styles:
- Two post cantilever lift - Featuring a carriage guided and supported by two masts on the same side so three sides can be accessed to accommodate C-, Z- or 90°-loading.
- Two post straddle lift – Featuring a carriage is guided by and suspended between two masts located on opposite sides of the carriage for C- and Z-loading.
- Four post lift – A type of straddle lift carriage guided by and suspended between two sets of two masts located on opposite sides of the carriage for higher capacity use. They accommodate C-, Z- or 90°-loading.
