Pallet Conveyors
Pallet conveyors are industrial equipment used to more efficiently transport goods loaded on pallets through a factory or manufacturing plant. These conveyors are similar to other types of industrial conveyors but are specifically constructed to handle the weight of heavily loaded pallets and accommodate the dimensions of a full pallet. Usually, pallet conveyors use rollers for transporting pallets, but many conveyors also utilize belts as well.
Quick links to Pallet Conveyors Information
Pallet Conveyor Design and Function
For those pallet conveyors which use a belt drive, the belt is fitted around a series of rollers, some of which are used to drive the belt and others which simply support the weight of the pallets. When using a belt conveyor for pallets, it is important to ensure that the belt is properly tensioned and that it is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear it will experience while continually moving large loads. With constant exposure to heavy loads and potentially sharp edges of pallets, these conveyor belts tend to wear out quite quickly. For this reason, roller conveyors are usually the preferred choice of pallet conveyors. Pallet conveyors that utilize rollers are composed of a long series of cylindrical rollers, which spin as objects pass over them, allowing even very heavy objects to move with ease. Additionally, the rollers can be constructed from extremely durable materials to support the weight of the loaded pallets. These types of conveyors can also be powered to drive the rollers and force movement along the conveyor, but many applications do not actually require a powered conveyor. Instead, the rollers are allowed to freely spin, and the loaded pallet can be pushed along the conveyor manually or the conveyor can be angled and allow gravity to move the pallet.
Pallet conveyors also have portable models which can be folded up and transported to different locations. These systems usually have hinged metal frames that can be folded up and transported to different locations, as well as possessing the ability to be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily. The system has to be stable and usable when set up, but it must be easy to break down when it needs to be transported or stored. The rollers must also be durable enough to resist damage from frequent use and damage that may occur during transportation.