Incline conveyors are a great addition to any warehouse. Here are some tips and tricks you need to know about incline conveyor installation.
Why Incline Conveyors?
Incline conveyors transport products between two different elevations. In a warehouse environment, this may be from floor level to a mezzanine, or from an overhead conveyor to the floor.
Incline conveyors simplify manufacturing by eliminating the need for workers to carry items between floors via an elevator or staircase.
The Physics of Incline Conveyors
Even if you never took a physics course, it’s important to understand the basics to ensure your incline conveyor runs efficiently. The angle of incline that your conveyor is set at is important. Many conveyors have a 30-degree maximum—if this is exceeded, your conveyor will not perform effectively.
It takes more power to move an object up an incline than across a flat plane. Think about carrying a box down a hallway, compared to carrying it up a flight of stairs. Carrying it up the stairs takes more work, right?
This same principle can be applied to incline conveyors. On a flat conveyor, gravity pushes straight down on the box, keeping it on the conveyor. However, on an incline conveyor, there are other forces at work. Force is applied to the side of the box, opposite the direction the conveyor is moving in. In simple terms, the steeper the angle, the stronger the force.
If the horizontal force is stronger than the force of gravity pushing down on the box, the box will tumble or slide down the conveyor.
Choosing the Right Conveyor for the Job
Incline conveyors are designed with different purposes in mind. Here at Redline Systems, we have three different styles of incline conveyors, designed specifically to move products of all different kinds.
The TR-Series
Our TR-series incline conveyors are designed for bins, boxes, or bags. They feature 4” tall cleats for packages to sit flush against. If you refer to our earlier section on physics, this method prevents tumbling by providing a horizontal force opposite the one caused by the conveyor’s motion.
This design allows the belt to be steeper than most, at a 35-degree angle. This sharper angle allows the conveyor to take up less space, leaving more room on your warehouse floor.
The C-Series
Our C-series conveyor system is an inclined cleated belt conveyor, featuring 2-inch-tall cleats. These U-shaped buckets are extremely effective at carrying loose materials such as mulch. With its 10-inch wide belt, it’s ideal for narrow spaces. It’s also able to run at a steeper angle than most conveyors, making it perfect for any tight spaces.
The SD-Series
Our SD-series conveyor system is a chevron-cleated trough belt conveyor. This aggressive steep-climb belt is our most heavy-duty option, perfect for loose materials like gravel.
If you have any further questions regarding incline conveyor installation, our knowledgeable team would be happy to assist you.
