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Manufacturing Custom Conveyor Systems

A conveyor is a mechanized material handling system. For example, conveyor belt systems—one of the most popular conveyor system types—feature a rolling belt that can move goods along a predetermined route. Conveyance systems are automated and can manage the movement of heavy, bulky, and high-volume goods to different stations or stops along a production, testing, or sorting process.

By transporting goods without requiring manual carrying, conveyance systems reduce workplace industries, decrease labor-related costs, and allow for more complex sorting and movement with increased accuracy. This blog post will discuss how conveyor systems work, the different types available, and how Advance Industrial Manufacturing can create the right conveyor system for your facility.

How Do Conveyors Work?

Conveyor systems use a wide array of mechanisms to move loads within a specific area. Basic conveyors are made of four parts:

1. A drive pulley that tows the belt, chain, or other conveyance surfaces
2. A second pulley or idler that the belt wraps around at the end of the conveyor system to allow for reverse operation
3. A rotor that the belt attaches to
4. The belt or conveyance surface itself

More flexible belts may also require a support unit to keep the belt from sagging under heavy loads.

Conveyor systems can operate at steep or mild inclines, allowing facilities to take advantage of unused vertical space. As the conveyor path or function becomes more complex, the number of parts increases accordingly.

For instance, a conveyor system with turns will have additional impellers and rotors. These underlying parts determine the path the goods will take, which can include multiple stops, split pathways to sort goods, and more. Along with belts, which are commonly found on conveyor systems used in package sorting or assembly lines, conveyors may also use buckets, chains, slats that can accommodate heavy objects, and more. While most conveyor systems are automated, some are manually operated and don’t need an incorporated power source.

Conveyor systems can integrate into existing process lines with other equipment and tools, such as inspection equipment, machining or finishing stations, and packaging equipment. An integrated process line helps users to streamline internal production, assembly, packaging, and shipping processes.

Different Types of Conveyor Systems

There are many types of conveyor systems available for commercial and industrial applications, making it essential to choose the right type for the specific needs of your facility and business. Some of the distinct types of conveyor systems include:

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• Aero-mechanical conveyors
• Automotive conveyors
• Belt conveyors
• Belt-driven live roller conveyors
• Bucket conveyors
• Chain conveyors
• Chain-driven live roller conveyors
• Drag conveyors
• Dust-proof conveyors
• Electric track vehicle systems
• Flexible conveyors
• Gravity conveyors
• Gravity skate wheel conveyors
• Line-shaft roller conveyors
• Motorized-drive roller conveyors
• Overhead I-beam conveyors
• Overland conveyors
• Pharmaceutical conveyors
• Plastic belt conveyors
• Pneumatic conveyors
• Screw or auger conveyors
• Spiral conveyors
• Vertical conveyors
• Vibrating conveyors
• Wire mesh conveyors

To maintain operational efficiency, look for systems that can handle the weight, shape, and materials of the materials and goods you typically move. Other factors to consider in the selection process may include energy efficiency, size constraints, safety, and potential future modifications to accommodate growth.

Custom Conveyor System Manufactured by Advance Industrial MFG

At Advance Industrial Manufacturing, we specialize in creating custom solutions for our clients. We have extensive experience in creating custom conveyor systems that help our customers improve throughput. To see how our metal fabrication and machining capabilities can benefit your operation, please contact us or request a quote today.

An Introduction to Electrical Substations

Electrical substations are key components of electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Below, we provide an overview of what they are, how they work, and the types available to help readers understand the important role they play in our day-to-day lives.

What Are Electrical Substations?

Electrical substations serve as an interface between generation, transmission, and distribution stations and between stations and end-users. They are designed to step up or step down the voltage in transmission lines to make it suitable for distribution and use. Additionally, they have mechanisms in place to control the flow of current in different directions, smooth and filter transmission fluctuations, and protect the overall system.

How Do Electrical Substations Work?

The electrical transmission and distribution process begins with the generation of electricity in a power plant. The electricity produced travels to a transmission substation near the plant. The transmission substation increases the voltage of the electricity through the use of step-up transformers, which reduces the potential for transmission loss over longer distances. From there, the electricity travels to a power substation, where the voltage is first reduced using step-down transformers and then transmitted to the distribution grid. The distribution grid also contains transformers that help lower the voltage for distribution. Eventually, the power reaches residential step-down transformers, which convert the voltage to appropriate levels for use as per the country’s standards.

Types of Electrical Substations

There are three main classifications of electrical substations:

• Transmission substations. These substations facilitate the transmission of power from generation sources to various delivery points. They contain step-up transformers, which raise the voltage to ensure more efficient power transmission.
• Sub-transmission substations. These substations use step-down transformers to lower the voltage levels of power transmitted over long distances to sub-transmission voltage levels. The resulting power can be used for industrial operations or transmitted to distribution substations.
• Distribution substations. These substations use distribution transformers to further lower sub-transmission voltage to appropriate levels for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes.

Substation Fabrication Solutions at Advance Industrial Manufacturing

Need electrical substations for your next infrastructure project? Turn to the experts at Advance Industrial Manufacturing! We can provide custom metal fabrication solutions for a range of infrastructure needs. Whether you need medium or large substations, we can fabricate and weld a structure that meets your specifications and standards. In addition to fabricating lattice structural components for efficient and reliable overhead support systems, we can create platforms, stairs, and handrails for safety systems.

For additional information about our substation capabilities, check out our substation structures page. To discuss your project needs with one of our team members, request a quote.