News

As a regular and avid reader of the Bridgeveyor blog, you’ll know about all the advantages that overhead conveyors offer businesses in lots of different industrial and commercial sectors. Right?

From the simple task of automatically moving an object from point A to point B, to being able to carry that same object through multiple load and unload points, inspection stations, paint rooms, curing ovens, washers, into and out of inventory, using overhead space that was previously useless, around corners, over machinery, from floor to ceiling, overhead conveyors do it all, and more.

But let’s say you’re already sold. You see the need and advantage of installing a system in your business. What now?

First, this post is just to give you an idea of some of what you need to consider, and some of the questions you need to answer when planning your system.  But this doesn’t mean that you have to plan your system all on your own. In fact, unless you have someone on staff who is experienced in doing so, the sooner you call us here at Bridgeveyor, the better. We will work with you from start to finish to design and build the system that fits your space, specifications, and budget.

Every overhead conveyor we install is at least somewhat customized for the application and/or location of the system, and any number of other factors. And that gives you a clue about the first step in planning and designing your system.

What Will the Conveyor Carry?

It seems like an easy enough question to answer – “the conveyor will carry Widget Model X”. But there’s much more to it than that. And while we can’t get into the specifics of every possible option for what your conveyor can carry, there are few general considerations:

1. Weight

Considering it’s an overhead conveyor, weight is more of a factor than it is for floor-based conveyors. Not only does the weight need to be supported, but it needs to be moved, and potentially be lifted and lowered. We classify the load capacity of a conveyor system in pounds per foot. The maximum load that we recommend is 100 pounds per foot. But there are ways, like using multiple carriers, to increase load capacity.

2. Size & Shape

Again, because an overhead conveyor might need to go around corners or over equipment, the size, and shape of the load will affect the planning of the conveyor.

3. Type of Carrier

The products and materials that the conveyor carries might need to swivel, or they may be able to be carried three at a time, or they might need to do something that needs a custom solution. In any case, the carrier will need to fit your application.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series to learn more about what you need to think about if you’re thinking about an overhead conveyor system.