Conveyor Technologies Encyclopedia

Comprehensive guide to modern material handling systems. Explore 10+ technology types, technical specifications, applications, and supplier landscape.

10+
Technology Types
65+
Global Suppliers
50+
Industries Served
Jump to: Belt Conveyors Roller Chain Spiral Sortation AS/RS AGV/AMR Overhead

Belt Conveyors

Most versatile and widely used conveyor type

40+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Continuous loop of material (rubber, PVC, fabric, modular plastic) stretched between pulleys. Drive pulley powered by motor creates friction to move belt. Load sits directly on belt surface for smooth, continuous transport.

Key Features

  • Incline capability: 0-30° (up to 90° with cleats)
  • Speed range: 15-120 m/min (typical)
  • Width options: 300-2000mm standard
  • Load capacity: 50-1000 kg/m
  • Modular plastic: FDA-approved, washable

Primary Applications

Food Processing Mining Packaging Assembly Lines Airports (Baggage) Bulk Materials

Leading Suppliers

Intralox Habasit ContiTech Fenner Dunlop Dorner Hytrol View All 40+ →
Belt Conveyor

Roller Conveyors

Efficient unit load handling solution

35+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Series of cylindrical rollers mounted on axles across frame width. Can be gravity-powered (decline), manual push, or motorized (MDR - Motor Driven Roller, belt-driven). Products ride on top of rotating rollers with minimal friction.

Key Features

  • Roller diameter: 38-89mm (1.5"-3.5")
  • Speed: 20-60 m/min (powered)
  • Load capacity: 10-150 kg/roller
  • 24V DC systems: energy efficient, safe
  • Accumulation zones: zero-pressure control

Primary Applications

Pallet Handling E-commerce Distribution Centers Box Conveyors Loading Docks

Leading Suppliers

Interroll Hytrol Dematic Daifuku 东杰智能 View All 35+ →
Roller Conveyor

Chain Conveyors

Heavy-duty transport for harsh environments

28+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Steel or plastic chains with attachments for carrying loads. Driven by sprockets. Types include slat chain (pallets on slats), drag chain (towing products), overhead chain (suspended loads). Ideal for high temperatures, heavy loads, and automotive applications.

Key Features

  • Temperature range: -40°C to +400°C
  • Load capacity: 500-5000 kg per chain
  • Speed: 5-25 m/min (typical)
  • Pitch options: 38mm-200mm
  • Accumulation capability: indexing systems

Primary Applications

Automotive Assembly Paint Shops Pallet Handling Overhead Transport Heavy Industry

Leading Suppliers

FlexLink Rexnord Martin Sprocket Daifuku SSI Schaefer View All 28+ →
Chain Conveyor

Spiral Conveyors

Space-saving vertical transportation

12+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Helical conveyor belt wrapped around central column for continuous elevation/decline. No transfers needed between levels. Belt self-stacks as it spirals, creating compact footprint. AmbaFlex SpiralVeyor pioneered the technology in 1972.

Key Features

  • Height range: 3-20 meters
  • Footprint: 2-4m diameter only
  • Speed: up to 60 m/min
  • Space savings: 70% vs elevators
  • Low maintenance (no chains on spiral)

Primary Applications

E-commerce Food Processing Packaging Airport Baggage Parcel Sortation

Leading Suppliers

AmbaFlex (Market Leader) Interroll Ryson Intralox View All 12+ →
Spiral Conveyor

Sortation Systems

High-speed automated sorting technology

32+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Automated systems that identify and divert items to designated destinations. Types: Crossbelt (items on mini-belts), Tilt-Tray (tilting trays), Sliding Shoe (diverting shoes), Pop-up (vertical diverters). Critical for e-commerce, parcel, and baggage handling.

Key Features

  • Throughput: 5,000-30,000+ items/hour
  • Accuracy: 99.9%+ sort rate
  • Destinations: 20-500+ chutes
  • Vision integration: barcode, RFID, AI
  • ROI payback: 18-36 months typical

Primary Applications

E-commerce Fulfillment Parcel Hubs Airport Baggage Postal Services Retail Returns

Leading Suppliers

Vanderlande Beumer Group Dematic Honeywell 昆船智能 View All 32+ →
Sortation System

AS/RS (Automated Storage)

Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems

25+ Suppliers

Technology Overview

Automated warehouse systems with stacker cranes, shuttles, or robots storing/retrieving goods in high-density racking. Types: Unit-load (pallets), Mini-load (totes), Shuttle systems (high-speed). Maximizes vertical space and warehouse throughput.

Key Features

  • Height: up to 45 meters
  • Capacity: 1,000-100,000+ pallet positions
  • Throughput: 30-200+ cycles/hour
  • Space utilization: 300-400% vs manual
  • Accuracy: 99.99%+ inventory control

Primary Applications

Cold Storage Pharmaceuticals E-commerce Manufacturing Automotive Parts

Leading Suppliers

Daifuku SSI Schaefer Knapp 昆船智能 东杰智能 View All 25+ →
AS/RS System

AGV / AMR Systems

18+ Suppliers

Autonomous mobile robots and guided vehicles for flexible material transport. Laser/vision navigation, no fixed infrastructure required. Payload: 100-3000kg, speed: 1-2 m/s.

Warehousing Manufacturing Hospitals
Suppliers: Daifuku, GreyOrange, 昆船智能 View All →

Overhead Conveyors

15+ Suppliers

Suspended chain or power & free systems for overhead transport. Common in automotive paint shops, garment sorting. Load capacity: 100-500kg per carrier. Floor space unobstructed.

Automotive Apparel Finishing
Suppliers: Daifuku, SSI Schaefer, IHI View All →

Shuttle Systems

22+ Suppliers

High-density pallet storage with automated shuttles. 4-way and multi-deep options. Throughput: 30-100 pallets/hr per shuttle. Popular alternative to stacker cranes for high throughput.

Cold Storage Fast Moving Buffer Storage
Suppliers: SSI Schaefer, Knapp, TGW, 东杰智能 View All →

Palletizing Systems

20+ Suppliers

Robotic or layer-forming systems for automated pallet building. Speed: 50-200 cases/min. Alvey, Columbia, and ABB robotics dominate. Mixed-SKU and pattern optimization software.

Food & Beverage CPG End-of-Line
Suppliers: Honeywell (Alvey), Columbia, Witron View All →

Technology Comparison Matrix

Technology Typical Cost Speed Flexibility Maintenance Suppliers
Belt Conveyors $200-800/m ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Medium 40+
Roller Conveyors $150-600/m ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Low 35+
Chain Conveyors $400-1500/m ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ Medium-High 28+
Spiral Conveyors $80K-250K ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ Low 12+
Sortation Systems $500K-5M+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Medium-High 32+
AS/RS Systems $1M-10M+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ High 25+

*Costs are approximate and vary based on specifications, length, and features. Supplier counts based on ConveyorIndex database.

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