Power and Non-Power Conveyor Systems

It is hard to imagine a packaging line that would use both a semi-automatic and an automatic filling machine. The same can be said for bottle rinsers or capping machines! However, combining both powered and non-powered conveyor systems can be a feasible solution in a number of different situations.

Any automatic packaging system, in order to stay efficient, will require power conveyor to move bottles or other containers from one machine to the next. These power conveyors can be manufactured in different materials, styles, heights, widths and more, to accommodate the project at hand. Automatic packaging systems can take on many different forms, and include many different machines, from line to line. When bottles are moving from one automatic machine to another, as in from filler to capper, a power conveyor is almost necessary to keep production efficient. Hand transferring bottles from one automatic machine to another simply defeats the purpose of having automatic machinery in the first place.

However, even with an automatic packaging line, there may be some situations where non-power conveyors will work to keep the line productive. Imagine a packaging line with an automatic filler, bottle capper and labeling machine. Each of these pieces of packaging equipment will likely be connected by a power conveyor, allowing the line to operate without the constant assistance of an operator. However, once product has been filled, capped and labeled, they may need to be packed in to a case. In our example, non-power conveyors may be used to accumulate individual, packaged products for manual labor to pack in to the case. Non-power conveyors also come in different styles, heights, widths and designs to accommodate almost any project. These conveyors may use rollers or skates to move boxes and products, while also allowing for a serpentine path if necessary.

While these situations are probably not common, they do provide a useful solution for a number of packagers with anywhere from lower to medium production demand. An analysis of all of the components and goals of a packaging line will always be completed before the best solutions are suggested for a packager, and the use of power and non-power conveyors, or some combination of both, will almost always be a factor to consider.

To learn more about the different types of conveyors manufactured and offered by Liquid Packaging Solutions, Inc., visit the Conveyor Section of the LPS website.