What to Look for in a Modular Conveyor System
28th October 2022
Authentically modular conveyor systems should first and foremost be genuinely modular: made up of discrete modules that can be replaced, rearranged, removed, and reintegrated with a minimum of effort and without the need for additional equipment. At a bare minimum, no cutting or welding should be required. (Picture the Lego® or Erector sets you played with as a child.)Different production demands may also require different accessories, such as stands, rails, and sensors. Accessories should be able to be mounted without the need to weld or drill holes, bolting in and out of place with relative ease.
Drive systems and motors should be easy to substitute or replace without compromising the integrity or performance of the system as a whole.
Interchangeable modules should also be able to be configured to work with a wide variety of auxiliary technology. For instance, a fixed modular conveyor system that’s designed to work alongside a particular robotic work machine might be rendered obsolete when that machine is upgraded or replaced. A more flexible modular conveyor system, on the other hand, could simply be reconfigured to work with new and upgraded technologies, avoiding the need for costly replacements.