Pallet and Case Conveyors

Conveyor systems are used in warehouses and production lines to move loads, finished goods, and other items from one workspace to the next within a facility. Used to transport both full pallet loads and individual cases, conveyors streamline the transportation process in manufacturing and distribution operations by increasing throughput and reducing labor requirements. Conveyor systems are a highly customizable option for warehouses that allow quick and efficient transportation for a wide variety of materials, which makes them very popular in the material handling and packaging industries. Conveyors can be configured to meet the specific and unique demands of just about any application.

Conveyor systems are often used in the manufacturing, packaging, and production industries. As the demand for products from these sectors has increased, the need for conveyors has also grown. Modern conveyor systems are flexible and efficient, allowing warehouses to meet demands.

Twinlode Automation implements and integrates conveyors for various industries. We have decades of experience assisting our customers with operational efficiency improvements regardless of the sectors they work in. We can select the appropriate equipment, technology, and material flow layout for facilities conveying individual products, full cases, or pallets.

Types of Conveyors

Many types of conveyor systems are available, including:

• Case conveyors: Case conveyors move cases, cartons, boxes, and totes of product. Several case conveyors can be installed together to meet the warehouse’s operational requirements. Types of case conveyors vary in width, length, and speed to meet the warehouse’s operational requirements. Types of case conveyors vary in width, height, length, and speed, determining the size of items they can transport.
• Pallet conveyors: Pallet conveyors transfer products on pallets using a chain, roller, or belt. Since pallets are standardized sizes, pallet conveyors are compatible with most palletized loads. Mechanical components built into the conveyor keep the pallet secure during moving.

Benefits of Conveyor Systems

Conveyors are used in warehouse settings because of their ability to:

• Move heavy and high-quantity goods quickly and easily.
• Allow materials to be easily moved from one elevation to another quickly when engineered correctly based on the solution and material being conveyed.
• Reduce labor requirements to transport items
• Be designed with or without automation.
• Move an unlimited quantity of materials 24/7.
• Automatically unload materials, depending on automation requirements.

Other advantages that conveyor systems offer include:

• Improve warehouse flow: Since conveyor systems automatically move loads, they decrease foot and vehicle traffic, helping the warehouse operate smoothly.
• Alleviates warehouse resources: Using conveyors to move products allows warehouse managers to use forklift equipment for other tasks.
• Lower chance of product damage: Conveyors handle loads gently using precise positioning. This feature reduces product damage.
• Reduced labor strain and costs: Conveyors reduce labor efforts and expenses as they can safely transport materials from one level to another. Automatic unloading eliminates the need for manual unloading, saving time and money.
• Higher throughput: Conveyors move high quantities of items of nearly any weight, shape, and size, allowing warehouses to work more productively.
• Flexibility: Conveyor systems are extremely versatile and can be installed almost anywhere to carry and transport loads of all shapes, sizes, and weights.
• Safety: Conveyors help prevent accidents inside warehouses as they have advanced safety features and are much safer than using a forklift or other machine to move materials.
• Custom options: Conveyor systems can be equipped to meet individual needs as there are a variety of options available, including pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and fully automated systems.

Conveyor Integration Uses

Due to the numerous benefits they provide, such as time savings and efficiency, conveyor systems are used across a variety of industries, including:

• Airports & Airline
• Automotive
• Agricultural
• Beverage
• Electronics
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Chemical
• Bottling and canning
• Packaging
• Manufacturing
• Warehouse and logistics
• Distribution

Conveyor systems for these industries can handle a variety of materials, such as:

• Canned foods, nuts, and vegetables for the food processing industry.
• Engines, tires, and car frames for the automotive industry.
• Medicine and supplements for the pharmaceutical industry.

Warehouses should consider the items being transported when choosing a conveyor. The conveyor should be able to move objects of that shape, weight, and size.

How to Operate a Pallet Conveyor

Conveyor systems use slats, chains, rollers, or belts to handle and transport heavy, oversized, or cumbersome loads. The conveyor moves the load from one point to another.

Many conveyors use zero-pressure accumulation and photo eyes to prevent product damage and prolong equipment life span. Conveyor solutions integrate with other equipment such as stretch wrappers, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and palletizers.