Conveyor belt systems are integral elements of the manufacturing industry. These systems automate the process of transferring parts and products to create greater efficiency. If you’re looking for the ideal system for your warehouse, there are a few things you’ll need to consider. Here’s what to know when selecting a conveyor belt for a warehouse.
Types of Conveyors
First and foremost, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the different types of conveyor belt systems. There are several kinds of conveyor belts available, but there are a few that are most suitable for use in a warehouse setting. For example, chain conveyor belts are popular options that transport medium- to high-volume products. They work with MRF sorting lines, mixed waste lines, open-end auto tie balers, and 2 RAM balers. Steel belt conveyors are also options that have heavy-duty apron belts and can handle 20–50 tons of weight per hour. Then, you have slider belt conveyors, which feature slider beds and can manage 1–15 tons of weight per hour. When it comes to industrial scales, one of the most important components is proper load cell calibration.
Unfortunately, the process to calibrate most scales is arduous and complicated, which can spell significant revenue loss for growing companies. Many scale manufacturers require their users to actually take their scales out of service for calibration, and some even require that the scales themselves be sent back to the manufacturer. This means that companies lose valuable time and money and often will have to invest in additional industrial scales to ensure they’re not without a usable scale for any length of time.
Your Needs
Next, you’ll need to identify your needs to select a conveyor belt system that meets them. Consider how you will be using the conveyor belt within your warehouse. Will you be transporting products within the facility or to another facility nearby? You should also consider the layout of your warehouse to determine where the conveyor belt system will need to go and how it will fit within the space. Then, consider any time requirements you will need to meet. For example, ask yourself how quickly you will need to move your products and whether the system you select meets these needs.
Your Products
Finally, you’ll need to know how your products play a role in which conveyor belt you choose. First, you need to think about what type of product the conveyor belt system will be transporting. Or perhaps you have multiple types of products to transport, which also makes a difference. Then, you need to consider the product’s size, weight, and dimensions. If you have a heavy-weight product, you will need a system that can easily handle that amount of weight. And you’ll also need to consider the product rate. You can measure the production rate by the number of products or parts per minute or hour, along with the product’s length, to determine an appropriate speed requirement.
Now that you know what to consider when choosing a warehouse conveyor belt, you can select an ideal option. Once you have your new system, ensure you perform regular maintenance to keep it in good working condition.
