Pallet Conveyor Systems Designed for Your Application
Pallet conveyors provide an efficient and controlled method of transporting palletised goods, heavy components and large assemblies through manufacturing, production and materials handling environments. They can be used to move loads between workstations, connect manufacturing processes and reduce the need for repeated handling by forklift trucks or other lifting equipment.
Amber Automation designs and manufactures bespoke pallet conveyor systems for industrial applications, from individual heavy-duty roller conveyors to integrated pallet handling installations incorporating turntables, transfer equipment and multiple conveyor lines.
Every application presents different challenges. Pallet dimensions, load weight, weight distribution, available floor space and the required method of loading and unloading all influence the conveyor design. By considering these factors at the outset, Amber Automation can develop a purpose-built system suited to the products being handled and the way the customer's operation works.
Pallet Conveyor Systems with Turntables & Transfers
Pallet conveyor installations often need to do more than transport loads in a straight line. In manufacturing and production environments, pallets may need to move between parallel conveyor lines, change direction or be presented to a workstation in a particular orientation.
Amber Automation designs and manufactures integrated pallet handling systems combining heavy-duty roller conveyors with turntables and transfer arrangements. These systems can be designed around existing machinery, available floor space and the movement of products between different stages of production.
The CAD layout and installation photograph below illustrate how conveyor sections, turntables and transfer points can be integrated to create a coordinated pallet handling system.
Pallet Conveyor Turntables
A pallet conveyor turntable provides a means of rotating a palletised load so that it can be aligned with another conveyor or positioned correctly for the next operation. Turntables are particularly useful where a conveyor route needs to change direction within a restricted area or where the orientation of the load must be altered.
The installation shown below incorporates roller conveyor sections mounted on a rotating platform. The design of this equipment takes account of pallet dimensions, load weight and stability, together with the alignment between the turntable and adjoining conveyors.
Conveyor Transfers & System Integration
Where pallets need to travel between different conveyor routes, careful consideration is required at each transfer point. Roller spacing, conveyor heights, pallet construction and load distribution all influence the design of a reliable handling system.
Amber Automation can develop pallet conveyor layouts incorporating multiple conveyor lines, direction changes and connections to existing production equipment. Depending on the application, powered conveyor sections, sensors and controls can be used to coordinate the movement of loads through the installation.
By designing the complete conveyor arrangement around the customer's handling requirements, Amber Automation can provide a purpose-built solution for moving pallets between workstations, production processes and loading or unloading positions.
Pallet Conveyors for Large & Unusual Loads
Not every product is suited to a conventional handling arrangement. Large fabricated assemblies, long products and items with irregular dimensions may require a conveyor system designed specifically around their size, weight and method of support.
The installation shown here demonstrates the handling of palletised park benches. Their considerable length and unusual shape make them a useful example of how a suitably designed pallet conveyor can transport products that would otherwise be awkward to move through a manufacturing environment.
In this application, the wooden pallet provides a supporting base for the benches, allowing the roller conveyor to carry the load without having to accommodate the product's irregular shape directly.
For these specialist applications, the design must take account of the pallet footprint, load distribution, stability and the way products are placed onto and removed from the conveyor.
Amber Automation can develop bespoke handling solutions for large or awkward products, helping manufacturers establish a practical means of moving items between assembly, finishing, inspection, packing and other production operations.
Heavy-Duty Pallet Roller Conveyor Installations
Heavy-duty pallet roller conveyors are used where substantial loads must be transported through demanding industrial environments. Typical applications include the movement of palletised metal components, fabricated assemblies and other heavy products between manufacturing processes.
The installation pictured below demonstrates the handling of large quantities of fabricated metal components supported on wooden pallets. The conveyor incorporates substantial steel side frames and closely spaced rollers, providing a robust conveying surface for the palletised loads.
The engineering requirements for a heavy-duty pallet conveyor depend on more than the overall weight of the product. The way the load is distributed across the pallet, the number of rollers supporting it at any one time, and the construction of the pallet itself must all be considered.
Designed for Industrial Manufacturing
In industrial manufacturing, pallet conveyors can provide a defined transport route between workstations and production processes. They can also form part of a wider materials handling system, helping reduce the frequency with which heavy loads need to be lifted and repositioned.
Roller diameter, roller spacing, bearings, frame strength and drive equipment are selected to suit the operating conditions and the loads being handled. Depending on the application, conveyors may be designed for intermittent movements between operations or more continuous handling duties.
Amber Automation's experience in conveyor engineering enables it to design equipment around the practical requirements of the installation, including load characteristics, production layout, access for maintenance and integration with other handling machinery.
For further information about alternative heavy-duty conveying technologies and conveyor drive arrangements, see our Pallet & Heavy Duty Chain Conveyors page.
Bespoke Pallet Conveyor Design & Manufacture
The most suitable pallet conveyor system depends on the products being transported and the operation in which it will be installed. A single roller conveyor may provide an effective solution for moving pallets between two fixed positions, while more complex production environments may require multiple conveyor lines, turntables, transfer equipment and coordinated controls.
Amber Automation designs and manufactures purpose-built pallet handling systems to suit individual customer requirements. Each installation is developed with consideration for the loads being handled, the available factory space and the way the conveyor system will integrate with existing production equipment.
Important design considerations include:
- Pallet dimensions and construction: Ensuring adequate support throughout the conveying route.
- Load weight and distribution: Selecting suitable rollers, bearings, frames and drive equipment.
- Conveyor layout: Making effective use of available floor space and existing production equipment.
- Turntables and transfers: Incorporating changes in direction and connections between conveyor lines.
- Loading and unloading: Accommodating forklift trucks, lifting equipment or other handling methods.
- Controls and integration: Coordinating conveyor movements with associated machinery where required.
- Access and maintenance: Providing practical access for operation, inspection and servicing.
By considering these requirements during the design process, Amber Automation can develop robust pallet conveyor systems tailored to the practical demands of each manufacturing or materials handling application.
Discuss Your Pallet Conveyor Requirements
Whether you require a heavy-duty pallet roller conveyor, a system for transporting large or unusual products, or an integrated pallet handling installation incorporating turntables and transfers, Amber Automation can design and manufacture a solution suited to your application.
Our team can help assess your pallet dimensions, load weights, production layout and handling requirements to develop a practical, purpose-built conveyor system.
Contact Amber Automation to discuss your pallet conveyor requirements and find out how we can help with your next project.
Email:
enquiries@amber-industries.ltd.uk
Telephone:
0161 284 2222
Frequently Asked Questions About Pallet Conveyors
Amber Automation designs and manufactures bespoke pallet conveyor systems for industrial and manufacturing applications. These include heavy-duty pallet roller conveyors, integrated conveyor lines and pallet handling arrangements incorporating turntables and transfer equipment. Each system is designed around the dimensions, weight and handling requirements of the products being transported.
Yes. Pallet conveyors can be designed to transport heavy components, large fabricated assemblies and products with unusual dimensions, provided the load is adequately supported and stable. Amber Automation considers the pallet construction, load weight, weight distribution and conveyor arrangement when developing a suitable handling solution.
A pallet conveyor turntable uses a rotating platform fitted with conveyor rollers to change the direction or orientation of a palletised load. The turntable rotates to align its conveyor section with the required adjoining conveyor, allowing the pallet to continue along a different route. Turntables are particularly useful where production layouts require changes in conveying direction.
Yes. Pallet conveyor systems can be designed to work alongside existing manufacturing machinery, workstations and materials handling equipment. Depending on the application, the installation may incorporate multiple conveyor sections, turntables, transfer equipment, sensors and controls to coordinate the movement of pallets between operations.
The load capacity depends on several factors, including roller diameter and spacing, bearing selection, conveyor frame construction, drive equipment and the distribution of weight across the pallet. The strength and underside construction of the pallet are also important. Amber Automation selects suitable conveyor components according to the requirements of each application rather than applying a single standard load capacity.
Useful information includes pallet dimensions, maximum load weight, product characteristics, required conveyor layout and the method of loading and unloading. Details of the available floor space, production processes and any existing machinery to be connected are also helpful. Amber Automation can use this information to assess the application and develop a suitable pallet handling solution.