What is an Overhead Conveyor?
An overhead conveyor is a key system in industrial production, specifically designed to transport parts and materials along a suspended track, utilizing the often-unused vertical space above work areas. This type of conveyor is essential in production facilities where parts need to move efficiently from one area to another, even through environments that are not human-accessible, such as high-temperature ovens or robotic work cells.
Types of Overhead Conveyors
Free Rail: Efficient, Cost-Effective Transport Solution
Free Rail is an ideal, budget-friendly choice for transporting items to various locations. It offers complete flexibility, allowing you to choose routes, raise, lower, tilt, queue, or hold as needed.
Manually operated trolleys, designed to carry loads of up to 80 kg or 160 kg, glide smoothly along an enclosed track, providing safe and reliable transport for your articles.
Aerorail: Advanced Overhead Chain Conveyor
Aerorail is an advanced, medium-duty overhead chain conveyor system featuring a fully enclosed chain design. Ideal for continuous material transport, it efficiently moves items from one point to another, seamlessly carrying them through various process stations.
Transrail: Fully Flexible Conveyor System
Transrail offers unparalleled flexibility in material handling. Its design features an upper track with a powered chain and trolleys on a lower track. Trolleys can either move along with the main chain or be stopped, diverted, dropped vertically, and rejoined at any point on the main line—providing versatile transport options to meet diverse operational needs.
Megarail: Ultimate Flexible Conveyor Solution
Megarail is designed for heavy material transportation. Featuring an upper track with a powered chain and trolleys on a lower track, it allows trolleys to either move along the main chain or be stopped, diverted, dropped vertically, and rejoined at any point on the main line. This adaptability makes Megarail perfect for complex transport needs across various processes.
Key Components of Overhead Conveyor Systems
- Track System: The starting point, with options in length and material. For motorized systems, high-quality Unibilt track sections can be combined and expanded using welded or bolted connectors.
- Chain System: Specialized chains, like the Unibilt chain, ensure smooth, low-friction movement through the track with options for hinged track sections for easy chain installation and removal.
- Trolley Attachments: Available in various designs to securely carry loads, rotate parts, or provide flexibility on inclined tracks.
- Drive Units: A drive unit powers the system, with electric motors and gearboxes that offer different speed options, including safety shut-off features and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) support for custom speed control.
- Gravity Tension System: The tension system maintains chain stability, right amount tension eliminating chances of over or under tension.
Benefits of Choosing Overhead Conveyors
- Design Flexibility: Overhead systems can be custom-built to navigate tight spaces with precision, supporting different layouts with minimal modification.
- Enhanced Workplace Safety and Cleanliness: Enclosed track designs prevent contaminants from reaching the parts, while inverted setups minimize dust and grease contamination in paint or cleanroom environments.
- Modular and Scalable: From small hand-pushed installations to large motorized systems, overhead conveyors are easy to expand or adapt, making them suitable for growing production lines.
Choosing the Right Overhead Conveyor
For a deeper understanding of conveyor types and guidance on specifying the ideal system for your needs, refer to our detailed step-by-step guide on conveyor solutions.
This revised version aligns closely with Google’s helpful content standards by integrating comprehensive, clear, and reader-centered information with a structured layout that enhances usability and value.
