How to choose the right conveyors 

Conveyors are an important part of any internal conveying system handling goods. Such a system can also consist of packaging tables, tilt tables and rotary tables. The conveyor system typically forms part of a large packaging line starting with case erecting and ending with pallet securing.

We will guide you as to how to choose the right conveyors and why you should consider choosing SOCO SYSTEM’s conveying system.

Choose the right conveyors with these 4 questions

When finding the right conveyor, there are four questions you must take into consideration:

1. Which items must be conveyed?
Weight, size, and shape.

2. How many items per minute/hour?

3. Where to and how?
Is the transport declining, inclining or horizontal? What happens to the items at the end of the conveyor?

4. Requirements apart from transportation?
This could include case sealing, palletising, pallet wrapping, bar coding, data collection, etc.

Once you know the answers to these questions, you are ready to choose the right conveyor for your conveying system. It is an advantage to know the various opportunities we can offer. In the following, we will go through the most common types of conveyors.

3 different types of conveyors 

At SOCO SYSTEM, we are working with three different types of conveyors: Non driven conveyors, driven conveyors, and belt conveyors.

Non-driven roller conveyors
When transporting goods using non-driven gravity, roller conveyors, the transport occurs manually or by gravity. To ensure an unassisted item flow, the conveyors must be installed with a gradient of 2.5-5%. The exact gradient depends on the weight and surface of the goods. Handling light weight goods with a rough surface will require a larger gradient than when handling heavy goods with a smooth surface.

SOCO SYSTEM can offer non-driven roller conveyors with plastic rollers, steel rollers, and aluminium rollers. In addition, we offer different types of wheel conveyors.

The type of roller conveyor you choose should depend on the item you wish to transport. For example, wheel conveyors are suitable for transport of cartons, plates, and the like. However, a conveyor with a small roller pitch will typically be the most suitable solution for uneven-based items or when the items have passed through a shrink tunnel.

Driven roller conveyors
Where transport on non-driven roller conveyors occurs manually or by gravity, it will typically occur using a chain or motor when dealing with driven roller conveyors. Typically, the transport will be horizontal, as inclination is not necessary to make goods move. If you want inclined transport, the belt conveyors are recommended as the friction between goods and conveyor is greater.

SOCO SYSTEM can offer driven conveyors with drive either in the right or left side.

Belt conveyors
The last type of conveyor is the belt conveyor. Belt conveyors are suitable for both horizontal, declined, and inclined transport. These belt conveyors can have different surfaces and beddings.

As to surfaces, the two primary ones are smooth belts and grip belts. Both are great solutions for inclined transport, but where smooth belts run best with inclinations of up to 10°, grip belts can manage inclinations of up to 28°.

As for beddings, there are also two types, roller bedding and plate bedding. Plate bedding is suitable for transport of light items over a short distance, while roller bedding is best when transporting items more than 5 metres.

Reasons to choose SOCO SYSTEM conveyor system

As mentioned earlier, conveyors often form part of a large conveyor system for handling goods in the most efficient way.

When choosing your conveyors, it is also important that you keep in mind the system they are to become a part of. Among other things, you have to be aware that the system must be:

• User-friendly
• Reliable
• Ergonomic
• Flexible
• Efficient

SOCO SYSTEM conveyor system offers all this.  

Comprising a multitude of standard components, the system can be combined into an infinite number of functional modules which again can be combined endlessly. The flexibility of the components and modules makes it possible to cover practically any demand for a conveyor system in any line of business, as the system is easy to re-locate, adapt, and extend by new modules. In fact, imagination is the only limitation to the number of possible applications of the conveyor system.

See a presentation of the system here  

In addition, SOCO SYSTEM’s conveyor system is designed keeping in mind user friendliness and ergonomics. Ergonomics and user-friendliness are two of our key priorities, as we know how an ergonomically designed workplace can create job satisfaction and increase efficiency. For that reason, we recommend that you always take into consideration aspects of a work environment such as:

• Noise
• Dust and dirt
• Vibrations
• Climate
• Lightning, colour, and contrasts

This is how a conveyor looks like in a SOCO SYSTEM conveyor system

The conveyors consist of six different components.

1. Rollers/wheel axles
The rollers/wheel axles are supplied as complete axle sets in various lengths, diam­eters, and materials. They are mounted into SOCO SYSTEM frames without the use of tools. It is easy to change the roller pitch and exchange rollers.

2. Side guides
Side guides are used for control of cartons on roller conveyors and belt conveyors with smooth belts. The side guides can be fitted with wheel consoles mounted on the guide profile. Available with both height ­and side adjustment facility.

3. Coupling fittings
The modules are connected by means of various types of standard fittings.

4. Frames
The frames are supplied in various standard lengths pre­pared for 30, 60, 90, and 120 mm spacing between the rollers.

5. Strengthening plate
Where increased cross stabil­ity is required, the supports are fitted with a strengthening plate. Plates are used on all driven conveyors and on non-driven conveyors with heights exceeding approx. 1200 mm.

6. Supports
For floor, ceiling, and wall attachment. Supports are available in five different standard heights which are individually adjust­able.

If you are interested in learning more about our conveyor system, feel free to contact us on +44 1 782 274100 or info@socosystem.co.uk.