Conveyor section (modular straight, curve and drive/return modules and the transfers between them)

01

Plan how the product crosses each joint between sections

Dorner's guide to six product transfer methods states that in an inline (end-to-end) transfer "there is typically a small gap between the two conveyor ends", so it may not suit tiny or flexible parts, and that its low-profile conveyors close that gap to as little as 1.25 inches. A nose bar transfer replaces one or both ends with a small-diameter end roller and lower profile supports, reducing the gap to as little as 0.31 inches; Dorner lists it as ideal for small parts and machine infeed and outfeed, but limited to certain belting and models, not recommended for high-speed applications and needing shorter maintenance intervals. Transfer plates bridge the gap and, it says, call for guiding to avoid product loss. [1]

For turns, Dorner's 90° adjustable transfer manual (851-335 Rev. D, titled for its 2200, 3200 and LPZ conveyors) requires low side conveyors and a transfer plate and guiding on the discharge end of the infeed conveyor, and gives a maximum recommended part weight of 20 lb (9 kg) at 50 ft/min (15 m/min), conveyor widths up to 12 in (the metric figure is printed as 610 mm), a 1/4 in (6 mm) minimum part thickness, and minimum product sizes of 3/4 in (19 mm) with a transfer tail option and 1-1/4 in (32 mm) with the standard 3 in (76 mm) tail; the size lines refer to 2100 and 3100 Series models. [2]

Editorial calculation: 1.25 in is about 31.8 mm and 0.31 in about 7.9 mm, so a 25 mm long part would be longer than a nose bar gap but shorter than the inline gap; check the gap at every joint against the shortest product, and note the manual's 12 in width is 305 mm, not the 610 mm printed beside it, so confirm the width limit with the maker. [1] [2]

Give the supplier the products (smallest and largest size, weight, stability, packaging), throughput and speed, line layout with every joint and turn, transfer method at each joint, section lengths and widths, drive and return positions, guiding, washdown or material requirements, controls and quantity.

02

Pick the section modules and widths

Vitrans, a modular conveyor maker, lists its flexible chain conveyor as built from conveyor section profiles (full and semi section profiles), chain guide profiles, product guide profiles and brackets, with flexible chains of 43, 63, 83, 103, 140 and 175 mm width, plus curve sections (horizontal and vertical), drive and return units and supports. It also lists belt conveyors, pallet conveyors and roller conveyors among its modular ranges. [3]

Dorner describes 90° transfers as suited to medium to larger products because the product crosses a small part of the frame, side transfers as needing little or no frame past the belt edge and better suited to modular or flexible plastic chain, and states that product orientation is not kept through a 90° transfer. [1] Editorial note: choose the section type at each joint with the transfer in mind, since the transfer method limits which belting and frame profile the adjoining sections can use.

03

Vitrans flexible chain sections, curves and drive units

Vitrans lists flexible chain conveyor sections and profiles in chain widths from 43 to 175 mm, curve sections, drive and return units, belt conveyors and pallet conveyors. Ask for the section lengths, joint details and transfer options available for your products.

04

Straight runs, curves, drive ends, transfer plates and nose bars

The joints decide whether tiny or flexible parts cross from one section to the next: end-to-end gaps, nose bars and transfer plates each leave a different gap.

05

Chain or belt width, transfer load and speed limits at section joints

Width and belt type are set by the product, but the transfer between sections limits load and speed: one 90° transfer is rated with 9 kg parts at 50 ft/min, and nose bars are not recommended at high speed.

06

Send the product and layout data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Products: [smallest and largest size; weight; stability]
Throughput: [parts per minute; speed]
Layout: [sections; curves; joints; elevations]
Transfers: [method at each joint; gap; guiding]
Modules: [widths; lengths; drive and return positions]
Environment: [washdown; materials]
Controls: [zones; sensors]

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