How do I choose a conveyor?

Choosing the wrong conveyor can create bottlenecks, damage products, or increase maintenance costs. I’ve seen first-hand how important the right decision is.

Choosing a conveyor involves evaluating your material type, application, layout constraints, required speed, and future scalability needs.

Selecting the right conveyor saves time, protects products, and supports your production growth without constant system changes. Let’s break down the key areas you need to consider.

What factors should I consider when selecting a conveyor?

When I first started managing equipment purchases, I thought all conveyors were basically the same. I quickly learned otherwise — a poor choice can cause endless trouble.

When selecting a conveyor, consider factors like product size¹, weight, throughput rate, facility layout, and maintenance requirements.

Key Elements to Evaluate Before Buying

Here’s the simple framework I use to assess conveyor needs:

Ignoring any of these factors can lead to expensive retrofits later. For example, I once picked a conveyor that couldn’t handle higher loads during seasonal peaks. We ended up replacing it within a year. Always plan not just for today but also for what your operations might look like in two or three years.

How does the type of material affect conveyor choice?

I used to think conveyor systems were all about speed. But after damaging several fragile products² due to the wrong conveyor design, I realized material type matters more than anything.

The material type — its size, weight, texture, and fragility — directly influences the best conveyor choice, from belt type to drive style and construction material.

Matching Material Characteristics with Conveyor Design

Different materials behave differently during transport. Here’s what I learned:

One time we transported light plastic bottles on a heavy-duty roller conveyor designed for metal parts. The bottles kept falling between rollers, jamming the line. We had to switch to a small-pitch belt conveyor specifically designed for light, unstable products. Since then, I always match material type first before even considering speed or price.

What are the differences between various conveyor systems?

At first, I didn’t understand why there were so many types of conveyors. But now I know — each has strengths and weaknesses depending on the application.

Different conveyor systems³, such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors, and chain conveyors, offer varying benefits based on product type, space, and handling needs.

Quick Comparison of Major Conveyor Types

Here’s a simplified view that helped me when making selections:

When I needed to move a mix of boxes and bags, we chose a modular plastic belt conveyor. It handled both types without damaging the products and made cleaning easier between production batches.

How can I determine the right conveyor size and speed for my needs?

I once installed a conveyor that was too slow for our growing output. It became a bottleneck we didn’t anticipate. Lesson learned: speed and size must be calculated carefully.

To determine the right conveyor size and speed, calculate your required throughput, measure available space, and factor in your product dimensions and weight⁴.

How I Calculate Conveyor Specifications

Here’s the simple method I use today:

Step 1: Determine Throughput

Calculate how many units you need to move per hour or per minute. Always plan for peak loads, not just average days.

Step 2: Measure Product Size and Weight

Record the biggest and heaviest product you will convey. This ensures your conveyor can handle the full range.

Step 3: Assess Available Space

Check the length, width, and height available for the conveyor line. Include entry and exit clearance zones.

Step 4: Choose the Speed

Conveyor speed = (Desired units per minute) × (Length of product + spacing buffer). This helps avoid jamming and maintains smooth flow.

After switching to properly sized conveyors matched to peak capacity, our overall line efficiency improved by over 25%, and we avoided costly downtime.

Conclusion

Choosing the right conveyor means matching product needs, facility layout, speed, and future growth goals. Careful planning today ensures long-term performance and saves future headaches.