INNOVATION THROUGH AUTOMATION

Conveyor Systems

About Conveyor Systems for Product Transportation

Midwest Engineered Systems offers a variety of conveyor systems solutions for product transportation. We specialize in beginning-to-end automated package handling systems including design, integration, conveyor control systems and conveyor system retrofits. Our conveyor systems are focused on providing high-speed and high-precision handling. Combining automated weight-weight scale verification as well as code tracking leads to better quality control and full digitally-recorded traceability on each product or package.

Conveyor systems are very useful when a company has many items that need to be fed or transported from one location to a different one. These systems can be used in many different industries and for transporting a wide variety of products. Conveyors come in many different configurations, allowing items of different weights, sizes and material properties to be transported without damaging either the products or the conveyor system.

Without conveyors, materials would have to be manually transported and tracked. This adds costs and creates potential issues, such as increasing labor and having to find effective ways to handle training and labor-management issues.

Advantages of Conveyance Automation

There are many benefits to automating the process of moving items from one place to another. Here are some of the more notable benefits of automated conveyor systems, in place of using labor, forklifts or manual lifts for transporting products:

  • Conveyors have virtually no limit on the number of items that can be continuously loaded and unloaded.
  • With the right power, a steady supply of products, and regular maintenance, conveyor systems can essentially run indefinitely.
  • Conveyors installed with automated incline belts can unload products without the need for manual labor. This eliminates the need for supervision of the material unload process.
  • Systems can be configured to feed materials between levels with virtually no height limitation, which is especially useful for large, multi-level factories or facilities.
  • Conveyor speeds can be controlled through programming or interfaces, reducing the chances of an item breaking or other handling issues stemming from product loss.
  • Conveyors can transport materials in both directions. A useful feature in cases where a product has to be moved between different ends of a warehouse or room during the product’s manufacturing phase.

Integration with Other Automation Systems

Conveyors can be integrated with a wide range of automation systems, depending on the purpose and function of the system. Some examples of automation systems that conveyors are integrated with are:

  • Sorting systems: These systems use sensors, scanners, or other devices to identify and separate items based on certain criteria, such as size, shape, color, weight, or barcode. Conveyors are used to move the items to the appropriate bins, chutes or destinations after they are sorted.
  • Assembly systems: These systems use robots, machines, or other devices to assemble parts or components into finished products. Conveyors are used to deliver the parts or components to the assembly stations and to transport the finished products to the packaging or storage areas.
  • Packaging systems: These systems use machines, software, or other devices to pack, label, seal, or wrap products for shipment or distribution. Conveyors are used to feed the products into the packaging machines and to move the packaged products to the loading docks or warehouses.
  • Inspection systems: These systems use cameras, sensors, scanners, or other devices to check the quality, quantity, or condition of products or materials. Conveyors are used to present the products or materials to the inspection devices and to divert any defective or non-conforming items to the rejection or rework areas.

Types of Conveyor Systems

The industry and application typically select the optimal sort of automated conveyor system. Whatever your conveyor requirements are, we can help, but here are a few popular types of conveyors seen in warehouses, distribution centers and supply chains.

Steel Belt Conveyors
Steel belt conveyors are made of thin, flexible metal strips that can withstand high temperatures, abrasion, corrosion, and impact. Steel belt conveyors are suitable for handling heavy, bulky, or sharp materials, such as scrap metal, wood chips, glass, or cement. Steel belt conveyors can also operate in harsh environments, such as furnaces, ovens, or foundries. Steel belt conveyors have several advantages over other types of conveyors, such as low maintenance, high durability, and long service life.
Chain Belt Conveyors
Chain belt conveyors use metal chains to transport materials or products. They are typically used for heavy or bulky items that require a high level of durability and resistance to abrasion. Chain belt conveyors consist of two or more parallel chains that run along a series of rollers, pulleys, or sprockets. The chains are attached to the load by hooks, plates, or slats. The load is moved by the friction between the chains and the rollers, or by the rotation of the sprockets. Chain belt conveyors can operate horizontally, vertically, or at an angle, depending on the application and design.
Slider Bed Conveyors
Slider Bed Conveyors are a type of belt conveyor that use a flat surface to support and move the belt along. They are ideal for applications that require low friction, smooth operation and minimal maintenance. Slider Bed conveyors can handle light to medium loads, and can be configured with different belt types, widths and speeds. Slider Bed conveyors are commonly used in packaging, sorting, assembly and inspection processes.
Steel Roller Conveyors
Steel Roller conveyors are used for applications that require a smooth, continuous and controlled movement of goods. Steel roller conveyors can handle heavy loads, resist corrosion and abrasion, and operate in high temperatures. They are also easy to maintain and customize according to the specific needs of the industry.
MRF Sorting Lines
MRF Sorting Lines are a type of conveyor typically used in the recycling industry to separate different types of materials. They consist of a series of belts, screens, magnets, and optical sorters that move the waste along the line and divert it into different bins or containers. MRF Sorting Lines conveyors can improve the efficiency and quality of recycling by reducing manual labor and increasing the recovery rate of valuable materials.
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