Using the "Force" for Carton Flow

The force of gravity is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. It keeps us grounded on the planet, and is the power used by gravity conveyors. These simple, thrifty and energy efficient conveyor systems are unequalled in performance on pick lines or other situations where movement of cartons or containers is vital to production.

Whether the gravity conveyors are roller, wheel or ball type, the movement of containers is achieved with a minimum of exertion. The configurations available allow the system to be adapted to any warehouse layout or production situation. With curved sections to allow for movement around corners, to varying degrees of elevation that can keep the containers moving, unaided, to the next station.

Like a bolt or a screw, the gravity conveyor is a simple design that is almost impossible to improve on. With no motor to burn out, drive unit to fail, or electrical components to trip or short out, it seems by modern standards it should have outlived its usefulness. But like a bolt or screw, nothing else can do its job nearly as well, or as economically.

Nothing else works as well to unload trailers of small goods that are not palletized. With the right length portable conveyor and three people, a 40- foot van is short work, and the outbound end of the conveyor can be configured so that the goods can be palletized as it is unloaded. Not only that, the typical portable gravity conveyor is lightweight and easy to move and set up takes seconds.

When weighing the pros and cons of a gravity conveyor system there are very few "cons" and an abundance of "pros." The only consistent drawback to a gravity system? Like water, it will not flow uphill. Elevation and pitch is vital to installation of an efficient system, but a powered conveyor can be used to spot empty containers at the top of a tiered layout and let gravity provide the power the rest of the way, with available elevation determining the number of tiers in the system and speed of the conveyor.

In today's high tech society, it almost feels like having computer operated conveyers with programmable spacing and speed control is mandatory -- and in some applications, like metering liquids or powders or other solids, perhaps it is. But in situations like a pick line, where the goal is to assemble multiple pieces of dissimilar objects into one package for shipping, no computerized system can outperform a simple gravity conveyor.

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about gravity conveyors, visit http://www.unex.com/.