Conveyor machines are one of the most important pieces of machinery in a large-scale distribution center. They can lift, carry and store products for hours on end without stopping to rest. When it comes to how a pallet conveyor system works, there are a few different components that all need to be in sync for the machine to run smoothly.

Let’s go over the different parts of a conveyor machine and how they work together to move products throughout a distribution center.

1. Conveyor Belt

The belt is the backbone of the pallet conveyor system. It’s what transports products from one end of the machine to the other. The belt is typically made of rubber or plastic and is either flat or corrugated. It moves products along by using a series of rollers that rotate and push the belt forward.


2. Drive Motor

The drive motor is the engine of the conveyor machine. It’s what powers the belt and moves it forward. The motor, typically located at one end of the machine, connects to the belt by a series of gears.

3. Take-Up Reel

The take-up reel keeps the belt tight. It’s located at the opposite end of the machine from the drive motor and is connected to the belt by a series of belts and pulleys. As products are transported along the belt, the take-up reel winds them up so that there is always tension on the belt.

4. Product Carriers

Product carriers are the devices that carry the products along the belt. They can be anything from metal baskets to plastic trays to rubber gloves. They are spaced evenly along the belt and adjustable so that they can accommodate different-sized products.

5. Controls

You use the controls to operate the conveyor machine. They allow you to start, stop and adjust the speed of the belt. Located near the drive motor, the control operates via manual or electronic inputs.

Now that you know how a conveyor machine works, let’s take a look at some of the different types used in distribution centers.

Types of Conveyor Machines

There are a few different types of pallet conveyor systems used in distribution centers. 

1. Slider Bed Conveyor

These are the most common types of machines. They consist of a flat belt that runs over a series of rollers. This type of conveyor transports large, heavy products.

2. Roller Conveyor

Rollers move small and medium-sized products. They consist of a belt that runs over a series of rollers, carrying the products along. This type of machine works well for short distances and might connect different parts of the distribution center.

3. Vertical Conveyor

These machines move products up and down between different levels. They consist of a belt that runs around a series of rollers, which carry the products up or down the machine. This type of conveyor is ideal for transporting products between different floors in a distribution center.

4. Screw Conveyor

Screw machines move products in a horizontal or vertical direction. They consist of a rotating screw that transports the products along. This type of machine is ideal for long distances and connects different parts of the distribution center.

When it comes to conveyor machines, custom-made machinery provides reliable performance and serviceability. This will help your distribution center run as smoothly as possible so you can meet the demands of your customers. 

You can find a good example of a reliable pallet conveyor system via the Klippenstein Corporation. Their made-to-order machines also meet your specific needs. So, for a conveyor machine sure to get the job done, Klippenstein is the right supplier for you.

How These Machines are Used in a Distribution Center

Conveyor machines are used in a distribution center to transport products between different areas of the warehouse. Here’s a quick overview of how they are typically used:

1. Receiving

When products arrive at the distribution center, they are typically unloaded from trucks and transferred to a receiving area. This is where the conveyor machines come in. The products are transported from the receiving area to the rest of the warehouse using this system.

2. Storage

Once the products have been unloaded from the trucks, they are moved to storage areas using conveyors. This allows the products to be stored more efficiently and makes it easier to access them.

3. Picking

Products are picked from the shelves and transferred to packing areas using these machines. This allows the products to be packed quickly and efficiently.

4. Shipping

Products are transported to the shipping area using such machines. This allows them to be shipped quickly and efficiently to their destination.

Benefits of Conveyor Machines

There are a few benefits that these machines offer in a distribution center. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Efficient Transportation

Conveyor machines allow products to be transported quickly and efficiently between different areas of the warehouse. This reduces the amount of time it takes to move products from one area to another and allows the distribution center to run more efficiently.

2. Increased Productivity

The machines allow products to be transported quickly and efficiently between different areas of the warehouse. This increases the productivity of the distribution center and allows it to ship more products in a shorter amount of time.

3. Increased Capacity

Conveyors can increase the capacity of a distribution center by allowing it to move more products at a time. This allows the distribution center to handle more products and helps it to keep up with increasing demand.

4. Reduced Labor Costs

These machines can reduce the labor costs of a distribution center by allowing it to move products more quickly and efficiently. This allows the distribution center to staff fewer employees and reduces the amount of time needed to pack and ship products.

5. Increased Accuracy

They can increase the accuracy of a distribution center by ensuring that products are transported to the correct areas. This helps to prevent errors and ensures that correct product packaging and shipping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, conveyor machines work by transporting products between different areas of a distribution center. They move products quickly and efficiently, which allows the distribution center to run more efficiently and ship more products in a shorter amount of time. These machines offer a number of benefits, including increased productivity, increased capacity, reduced labor costs, and increased accuracy.