When it comes to utilizing vertical space in your facility don’t get stuck with a one size fits all approach.
We provide a variety of elevation options to get your products where they need to go. The right solution for your elevation change depends on the characteristics of your product, the footprint available, and whether or not you need to accumulate. Here is a summary so you can get an idea of the variety of elevation options out there; and don’t forget, what goes up must also come down, so these solutions go the other way too!
Elevation Options
Alpine Conveyors
Blanket Conveyors
Cleated Conveyors
Hold Down Rails
Lift Stations
Prefeeders
Spiral Conveyors
Wedge Conveyors
Alpine Conveyors
Alpine conveyors are a popular elevation option if you need to accumulate or buffer products in a small footprint. Alpines are flexible as far as heights and lengths of both the system and products that can be conveyed.
Blanket Conveyors
Blankets or drape conveyors are an elevation option that sandwiches products between two running conveyors, usually with loose chain, but occasionally with beam added for weight, that covers the product as it moves. They can’t be used for accumulation, but the weight of the top conveyor does help in evening out packaged goods in bagged applications (like frozen foods).
Cleated or Friction Top Conveyors
Both of these chain/belt conveyors are good elevation options when you either have a gradual incline, or a steep incline with a product that isn’t easily damaged and doesn’t need to maintain orientation. Frequently you will see them used in conjunction with hold down rails, but note that they should not be used for accumulation.
Hold Down Rails
Frequently used with cleated or friction top chain; a hold down rail can be either a fixed rail, or a roller rail that provides top pressure to keep product steady as it makes an elevation change.
Lift Stations/Elevators
Lift stations are generally used in pallet or tote systems to move products up or down in a straight line between two levels of conveyors.
Prefeeders
These elevation options are for smaller parts, or parts that you want to singulate out of a hopper.
Spiral Conveyors
Spirals are probably the most popular elevation option. They have a very small footprint, and generally use friction top chain in order to elevate a variety of product sizes helically, but they are limited in what size of products that they carry, and their sizes are generally fixed.
Wedge Conveyors
These conveyors “wedge” the products between two running conveyors with flap or box top chain in order to move products up to a ninety degree turn between levels while maintaining the same final orientation. While wonderful for walkways, or printing/inspecting the bottom of the product, they are not a great option for products that are easily crushed.
Give us a call, and we can help you find the perfect solution for your elevation change!
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