Resources

Glossary of Conveyor Terms

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RACK:  As in a curve, to bend the frame racks down in order that the discharge elevation is lower than the infeed elevation.

RECEIVING END:  The end of a conveyor from which the products move toward you.

RETURN IDLER:  A roller that supports the return run of the belt.

REVERSIBLE:  A conveyor that is designed to move product in either direction.

ROLLER:  A round part free to revolve about its outer surface. The face may be straight, tapered or crowned. Rollers may also serve as the rolling support for the load being conveyed.

ROLLER BED:  A series of rollers used to support a conveying medium.

ROLLER CENTERS:  The distance measured along the carrying run of a conveyor from the center of one roller to the center of the next roller.

ROLLER CONVEYOR:  A series of rollers supported in a frame over which objects are advanced manually, by gravity or by power.

SET HIGH:  Vertical spacing that allows the rollers to be mounted above the frame rails.

SET LOW:  Vertical spacing that allows the roller to be mounted below the top of the frame rails.

SHAFT:  A bar usually of steel, to support rotating parts or to transmit power

SHEAVE:  A grooved pulley wheel for carrying a v-belt.

SIDE CHANNELS:  Members that support the rollers on the side of the conveyor.

SIDE MOUNTED DRIVE:  A drive assembly mounted to the side of the conveyor, normally used when minimum elevations are required.

SIDE TABLES:  Steel tables attached to either side of conveyor bed to provide working surface close to conveyor.

SINGULATION MODE:  Mode where packages are automatically separated while traveling down the conveyor.

SKATEWHEEL CONVEYOR:  A type of wheel conveyor making use of series of skatewheels mounted on common shafts or axles, or mounted on parallel spaced bars on individual axles.

SLAT CONVEYOR:  A conveyor that uses steel or wooden slats mounted on roller chain to transport the product.

SLAVE DRIVE:  A conveyor drive powered from another conveyor instead of having its own prime power source.

SLIDER BED:  A stationary surface on which the carrying run of a belt conveyor slides.

SLUG MODE:  Allows all packages to be released simultaneously.

SNUB IDLER:  Any rollers used to increase the arc of contact between a belt and drive pulley.

SORTATION CONVEYOR:  A conveyor that is able to sort different packages or products to specific take-away lines. (SC, ProSort)

SPEED REDUCER:  A power transmission mechanism designed to provide a speed for the driven equipment less than that of the prime mover. They are generally totally enclosed to retain lubricant and prevent the entry of foreign material.

SPOOL CONVEYOR:  A conveyor where power to the rollers is accomplished by o-rings driven by spools on a rotating shaft.

SPUR:  A conveyor section to switch unit loads to and from the mainline.

SUPPORT:  Arrangement of members used to maintain the elevation or alignment of the conveyors. Supports can take the form of hangers, floor supports, or brackets and can be either stationary or portable.

SWITCH:  (1) Any device for connecting two or more contiguous package conveyor lines; (2) An electrical control device.

TAIL END: Usually the end of a conveyor nearest loading point.

TAIL PULLEY: A pulley mounted at the tail end of a conveyor, its purpose is to return the belt.

TAKE-UP: The assembly of the necessary structural and mechanical parts which provide the means to adjust the length of belt and chain to compensate for stretch, shrinkage or wear and to maintain proper tension.

TANGENT: Straight portion after a curve conveyor.

TAPERED ROLLER: A conical conveyor roller for use in a curve with end and intermediate diameter proportional to their distance from center of curve.

TAPERED ROLLER CURVE: A curved section of roller conveyor having tapered rollers.

THROUGHPUT: The quantity or amount of product moved on a conveyor at a given time.

TOTAL LOAD: Amount of weight distributed over the entire length of a conveyor.

TRACKING: Steering the belt to hold or maintain a desired path.

TRAFFIC COP: A mechanical or electrical mechanism to prevent collision of objects as they merge from two conveyor lines into a single line.

TRANSFER: A device or series of devices, usually mounted inside a conveyor section, which uses belts, chains, 0-rings, rollers, or skate-wheels, to move products at right angles to adjacent or parallel conveyor lines.

TRASH CONVEYOR: A conveyor, normally a belt conveyor equipped with high side guards, used in transporting empty cardboard boxes and paper trash away from working areas.

TREAD PLATES:  Diamond top steel filler plates used to till gap between rollers on roller conveyor.

TRIPOD SUPPORT:  Three legged stand for small roller and skatewheel conveyor. Usually easily moved or aligned to maintain elevation of the conveyor.

TROUGHED BED:  A conveyor designed with a deep trough used for carrying broken glass, cans, wood chips, stampings, etc. Also used in recycling operations.

TROUGHING ATTACHMENTS:  Angles used on belt conveyors to cup the edge of the belt.

TURNBUCKLE:  A link with a screw thread at both ends, used for tightening the rod, normally used in cross bracing.

TURNING WHEEL:  Wheel mounted on an adjustable bracket to help insure proper package orientation.

TURNTABLE:  A horizontal, rotate-able conveyor mechanism used for transferring objects between conveyors that are in angular relation to one another. (900, 1800, 360E)

TWO-PULLEY HITCH:  A special transition section for moving product from horizontal to incline.

UNDERSIDE BED COVER:  Sheet metal used to cover the underneath side of a conveyor.

UNDERSIDE TAKE-UP:  A take-up section located beneath the bed of a belt conveyor.

UNDERTRUSSING:  Members forming a rigid framework underneath the conveyor, used for supporting the conveyor.

VARIABLE SPEED:  A drive or power transmission mechanism that includes a speed changing device. Standard mechanical variable speed ratios 6:1 A.C.; electrical variable speed ratio 10:1.

V-BELT:  A belt with a trapezoidal cross section for operation in grooved sheaves permitting wedging contact between the belt sides and groove sides.