The conveyance cornerstone: Understanding the timeless impact of modern conveyance
Modern manufacturing is rooted in highly customizable solutions that harmoniously fit into a productive ecosystem, one that is flexible to meet a variety of changes in throughput demands.
At the heart of many of these assembly lines are conveyors, which for more than 100 years have stood the test of time in establishing consistent efficiency regardless of the specific manufacturing vertical. Amidst an increased digitalization on factory floors, conveyance solutions remain critical for end-users to respond to customer needs and serve as a central nervous system that other solutions are based on. Therefore, end users must understand the breadth of conveyors to select the appropriate one for their process and ensure a positive return on investment, especially during a time when budgets are often being stretched thin.
Despite their longstanding market presence, there is an educational opportunity for end-users and system integrators who may not be fully aware of the types of conveyance available today. Below are several standard conveyors that are being utilized in a variety of processes, including medical, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods (CPG):
- Plastic MatTop or belt conveyors — These conveyors come in a variety of styles, and they typically transfer smaller, lighter items. They help stabilize uneven packaging, such as cereal bags in consumer-packaged goods.
- Flattop or TableTop chains — One of the key advantages of flattop chains is their ability to curve, which can be helpful in maximizing output in smaller factory footprints. Lean manufacturing is a trend that is growing in adoption and flattop chains are often seen as a tool to accomplish that.
- Powered rollers — These conveyors typically transport the heaviest of payloads, which can help end-users that are transitioning from semi- to fully-automated processes.
- High-speed — Among the most advanced of conveyance solutions are high-speed conveyors, which can leverage several propulsion components like magnets to transfer materials at extremely fast speeds with high precision and flexible flow.
Ultimately, selecting the right conveyor depends on several key factors such as what will be transported, what environment it is functioning in, and how fast it needs to get there. It is important for end-users to have internal alignment on those goals, including from executives, engineers, operations and procurement.
It is also imperative to understand not only what the goals or needs are for today, but also how they could change in the future. Solutions that are flexible and scalable are highly prioritized in today’s manufacturing as markets continue to shift daily. Flexibility is an especially key factor in semi-automated environments. How workers interact with conveyors is important in ensuring both safety and productivity.
It is also becoming increasingly common for system integrators to use modern design software when selecting a conveyor, as it allows system integrators to have a more hands-on approach to developing the conveyor system that is perfect for their end user and their physical footprint. Those tools, plus a consultative relationship with a supplier that extends beyond an initial sale, provide a firm foundation for operational success.
Equally as crucial as understanding the benefits of selecting the right conveyor is comprehending the potential consequences of choosing the wrong one.
Because of their wide-reaching impact on operations, conveyors are vital in maintaining productivity. If the wrong type of conveyor is selected for an application, it could have a negative impact on quality control, which could increase scrap and overall supply costs.
Additionally, if a lower quality alternative is selected versus a sturdier one, that conveyor will likely wear down faster, requiring replacement sooner, and components may fail prematurely. That would mean valuable downtime spent researching, selecting and getting approval for a new conveyor, not to mention replacing that old one, plus the loss of productivity and increased replacement costs.
There is also a maintenance factor to consider. If a lower-quality conveyor requires more maintenance, that can require additional resources and negatively impact an already shrinking workforce, who will not be able to accomplish their tasks efficiently. End-users need to remember that selecting a solution as essential as a conveyor does have a human resources element to it. Choosing the right one sends a message to the workers that you are investing in their success by going with the option that will provide the most return on investment. If they do not have to worry about whether the solution will perform, workers are empowered to focus on more important tasks and requirements.
Regardless of how modern manufacturing evolves, conveyance will almost certainly remain a core technology, and end-users who are willing to consider appropriate, quality solutions for their processes are making an investment that not only impacts productivity but can potentially save money.
Understanding the holistic cost of ownership is paramount for end-users if they want to get everything out of their conveyor, or any solution, that impacts their processes. If the right conveyance choices are made for both the needs of today and what markets may require tomorrow, end-users are in a good position to accelerate productivity with a proven solution that will likely remain a cornerstone of manufacturing for years to come.
