Material Handling Equipment - Industrial and Systems Engineering

5. CONVEYORS3(a) Gravity roller conveyorAlternative to wheel conveyorFor heavy-duty applicationsSlope (i.e., decline) for gravity movement depends on loadweightFor accumulating loads3(b) Live (powered) roller conveyorBelt or chain drivenForce-sensitive transmission can be used to disengagerollers for accumulationFor accumulating loads and merging/sorting operationsProvides limited incline movement capabilities4. Chain conveyorUnit + In-/On-Floor + No AccumulationUses one or more endless chains on which loads are carried directlyParallel chain configuration used as (chain) pallet conveyor or as a pop-updevice for sortation (see Sortation conveyor: Pop-up devices)Vertical chain conveyor used for continuous high-frequency verticaltransfers, where material on horizontal platforms attached to chain link(cf. vertical conveyor used for low-frequency intermittent transfers)5. Slat conveyorUnit + In-/On-Floor + No AccumulationUses discretely spaced slats connected to a chainUnit being transported retains its position (like abelt conveyor)Orientation and placement of the load is controlledUsed for heavy loads or loads that might damage abeltBottling and canning plants use flat chain or slat conveyors because of wet conditions,temperature, and cleanliness requirements27