Hanging Conveyor Systems

The square footage in your warehouse is one of your most valuable assets. To maximize your square footage while completing as much work as possible, you should consider utilizing overhead conveyor systems. Hanging conveyor systems allow you to use your facility’s floor space more efficiently and effectively, while accelerating your business’s operations up above.

About Hanging Conveyor Systems

Also known as overhead conveyor systems, hanging conveyors make use of the vertical space in your facility, leaving your precious floor space open for other purposes. Overhead conveyors can be used as a standalone solution for picking and transporting items, or they can be used in tandem with ground-level belt and roller conveyors. No matter if you’re transporting light items such as garments or heavy machinery used to construct vehicles, an overhead conveyor can withstand the weight and efficiently transport the items to wherever they need to go.

How Do Overhead Conveyors Work?

Hanging conveyor systems make use of a track—either enclosed or in an I-beam configuration—that’s suspended from the ceiling. Pendants or trolleys are hung from the track to allow for quick conveyance of items from one place to another. Overhead conveyors are often deployed in automated warehousing systems when used in conjunction with robotic picking systems, but they can also be manually driven if needed. These conveyors can be adjusted into any shape necessary, providing versatility and flexibility.

Overhead conveyors can also cut down on energy costs, as they generally use less power than other conveyor systems. If you’re struggling with energy costs at your business, installing an overhead conveyor may be beneficial as a long-term solution for your problem.

Types of Hanging Conveyor Systems

Hanging conveyor systems are often built to address certain requirements, and there are three primary types of systems most businesses utilize. Hanging conveyor systems typically come in the following configurations:

• I-beam overhead conveyors, in which drive chains are set in an I-beam type rail. For this configuration, the chain propels items along the rail, allowing for a safer and more efficient method of assembly, storage, and more.
• Enclosed hanging conveyor systems, in which the drive chain is fully enclosed to prevent dirt and debris from getting in. If you’re looking for an effective method of transporting materials such as paint, this overhead conveyor system may be your best option. This also saves your business time and money relating to maintenance and cleaning.
• Free and powered systems, which combine both manual and powered drive systems in the same layout. These overhead conveyors can move items at different speeds and times, and they can also change tracks entirely if necessary. For those who need a more flexible solution for their transportation needs, a free and powered system may provide the benefits you require.

The type of overhead conveyor system you’ll use in your warehouse depends on what you’re moving, how far it needs to go, whether manual operation is necessary/appropriate, and so forth.

Advantages of Hanging Conveyor Systems

As with any piece of warehouse equipment, businesses have to consider if it’s worth installing an overhead conveyor to simplify and accelerate their normal operations. However, whether you’re working with small items or heavy machinery, an overhead conveyor can’t be overlooked. It may seem like a large investment, but as a long-term solution, an overhead conveyor is a great tool to improve your work environment. An overhead conveyor offers warehousing facilities several advantages:

Maximized Use of Space

Hanging conveyors can help you get more use out of the space you already have. Vertical space is often underutilized in warehousing applications, so implementing a conveyor system that can make use of that space can help you expand your operations without having to invest in a larger facility. If you’re operating from a small facility but have space above to work with, an overhead conveyor system can accommodate that space, allowing you to perform other work on the ground floor. For example, you can install a conveyor system from the ceiling while you use the ground floor for other workstations and potentially other large projects.

Highly Versatile

Hanging conveyor systems can be used in a wide range of applications and configurations. Transport either lightweight items or heavy materials anywhere in your facility without impeding traffic. Not only do you have multiple types of hanging conveyor systems to choose from, but you can also change their shape to fit your needs at any time. Use these systems to supplement an existing conveyor layout, so you can move items both above and below in tandem.

Reduced Lifting and Bending

Overhead conveyors allow items to be transported at a height that streamlines throughput, reducing the need for manual lifting in your facility. In addition to helping to prevent workplace accidents related to bending and lifting, overhead conveyors can speed up daily operations, saving you time and energy. Items are taken directly where they’re needed at the correct height.

Efficient Product Movement

Ultimately, hanging conveyors facilitate the rapid movement of product around your facility with a minimal footprint on your total square footage. When used as part of a full warehouse automation solution, they can cut down on the time spent retrieving, picking, and packing items, ultimately improving overall efficiency. This also cuts down on time spent transporting goods, allowing you to put focus on other aspects of your warehouse.

Improved Safety

Conveyor systems can help prevent injuries related to bending and lifting, but they are also safer solutions in general. Overhead conveyors are installed above workers’ heads, which gives them more room to work on the ground level. Rather than worry about moving items around constantly and potentially becoming injured by this process, they can work on their operations without worrying about their well-being.

Key Points to Consider

Overhead conveyor systems can provide a large range of benefits for your business, but there are a few points to keep in mind when operating these systems.

First, it’s a good idea to check how much weight your conveyor system can handle. If you frequently work with heavy machinery, you’ll want to explain this to the people responsible for setting up your conveyor system.

Also, it’s crucial to check on your conveyor at regular intervals. As with any type of equipment in a warehouse, it will gradually wear down over time. To prevent any major accidents or injuries, it’s important to have someone check to make sure your chains, rails, and other components are working smoothly. Should you notice a problem or want to check your system for any problems, our team at Precision Warehouse Design can help.

Who Could Benefit from Hanging Conveyor Systems?

The great thing about an overhead conveyor system, especially one with an enclosed track designed for maximum load, is that they work efficiently in various warehouse and manufacturing environments. Regardless of the type of business you operate, your warehouses can benefit from hanging conveyor systems, saving you time, energy, and money. It takes professional warehouse designers to construct and install these systems so that they fit your needs, and our team is prepared to help.

At Precision Warehouse Design, we have designed and installed overhead conveyor systems for general warehouses, mail-sorting facilities, government facilities, food distribution centers, and so much more. We have over 225 years of combined experience working with clients to maximize their resources and improve their warehouse operations.

If you operate a business that thrives on efficient storage space, quick pull and pack times, and on-time deliveries, powered overhead conveyors can help free up floor space in your warehouse and keep your timelines on track.

For more information about overhead conveyor systems with integrated assembly lines and other functional storage solutions, contact Precision Warehouse Design for more information or for ordering opportunities! Our team is prepared to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding overhead conveyor systems, so don’t hesitate to call us!

Let Us Handle Your Overhead Conveyor System Design

To receive the full benefits of a hanging conveyor system in your facility, you’ll need to make sure it’s optimally designed to meet your picking, sortation, and conveyance requirements. That’s where we come in.

Our capabilities include full-service design and implementation that allows for a system built to your precise specifications. When designing your system, items you’ll need to take into account include:

• The type of product being moved, including its size, weight, and dimensions
• Throughput and volume requirements
• Environmental factors
• Existing facility layout and overhead space availability
• Automation requirements

With your requirements in mind, we apply our experience and best-practice techniques to create the perfect system as quickly as possible. The end results are reliable, efficient, and promptly delivered. Along with high-quality conveyor systems, we can provide other products such as pallet racks, carousels, and various shelving methods. Whatever products you feel are necessary to improve your business, we can provide them for you.

At Precision Warehouse Design, we’ve served numerous high-profile clients, including FedEx, Amazon, AT&T, and more. To get started, schedule a consultation today.

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