What Is a Vertical Lift Conveyor and Its Different Types?

by Sheron Tymm I am a writer.

There’s a saying, “Things are changing.” While that might not apply to everything, it does as far as conveyor systems go. Today, you can find a type that works for every industry and application. A perfect example is an elevating conveyor.

Now, some people refer to this as a lift tube conveyor, as well as a vertical lift conveyor. Regardless of what you want to call it, this system offers many unique advantages over other conveyor systems.

What Is a Vertical Lift Conveyor?

As the name implies, this particular conveyor moves vertically as opposed to horizontally. That doesn’t mean that traditional systems aren’t worth consideration. Rather, a lift tube conveyor makes it possible to move products or materials from one floor to another seamlessly.

Commonly utilized by material handling companies, the elevating conveyor plays a key role in modern operations. Depending on your company’s layout, you can use this system to get products or materials from one floor to another. However, it’s also an ideal way to move things up or down in elevation, even if only a few feet.

Industries that rely on conveyors must stay compliant with current regulations. That means they must purchase a system that’s designed and tested accordingly. Interestingly, the vertical conveyors have a unique national safety code. This code, ANSI/ASME B20.1, is part of the Safety Standards for Conveyors.

A vertical lift conveyor is somewhat like a horizontal system in that it provides continuous movement. However, the difference is that it does this through vertical offsets. For this type of system to operate, it uses several technologies. These include carts-on-track, chutes, screws, buckets, belts, and others.

Although the lift tube conveyor offers numerous benefits, saving space ranks at the top of the list. So, to move products or materials up or down in elevation within a limited space, this option is great.

Examples of Applications

To see just how versatile a lift conveyor is, consider some of the applications it’s used for:

• Airports
• Automotive Manufacturing
• Chemical Processing
• Food Packaging
• Recycling
• Warehouse Distribution

Types of the Elevating Conveyor

As mentioned, you can choose from several types of vertical conveyors. For an efficient, reliable, and safe system, always work with a trusted Canadian source. That way, you know the lift conveyor comes from well-respected manufacturing companies.

By working with the right source, an expert will provide personalized service. So, if you have questions or need assistance, you’ll end up with a high-performing yet cost-efficient conveyor.

Reciprocating Vertical Conveyor

This type of elevating conveyor is also called a mezzanine lift. It works a little differently than the others. In this case, the conveyor moves items using a vertical platform. Depending on the system, it’s either powered or gravity actuated.

There’s a unique aspect to this vertical lift conveyor. The platform is usually some type of horizontal conveyor, most often, a belt conveyor. Working in conjunction, the two conveyor systems move packages and materials both vertically and horizontally. This system can move up to five items every minute while discharging in all four directions.

For this type of vertical lift conveyor, you can select one with or without a column. Compared to dropping and chute conveyors, this gives you more control. Often, companies use this system for moving pallets, boxes, luggage, and more.

Scissor Lift

The scissor lift is another popular choice. A key advantage to this system is its capability of moving heavy items as much as 60 to 72-inches high. So, this isn’t the best choice for taller elevations. However, to move a load weighing between 500 and 100,000 pounds to a higher or lower elevation, it’s ideal.

Typically, this type of lift tube conveyor can lift four items per minute. As for the feed and discharge, you can configure these multidirectional, if wanted. While any industry can use this lift, it’s a staple for the metallurgy, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Continuous Vertical Lift Conveyor

What’s special about this lift conveyor is that it moves items continuously. As they make their way through the various vertical sections, the system never stops. The system accomplishes that by implementing shelves, trays, or platforms that come from a horizontal conveyor. In other words, as the sections mechanically move up a vertical shaft, they’re then deposited onto a different horizontal conveyor.

This lift tube conveyor gets high marks. Some of the reasons are controllability, enhanced safety features, and easy configuration. Also, this system doesn’t require much space. Even so, it’s a high-capacity solution that’s perfect for kegs, tires, boxes, and so on.

Spiral Conveyor

Also called bottle conveyors, they can move as much as 3,000 pounds at a speed of 200 feet per minute. With a spiraling vertical operation, they work great to smoothly transport bottles and other items.

Due to the design of the spiral conveyor, it doesn’t take up much space. Although commonly used to move bottles, there’s something important to know about this vertical lift conveyor. Regardless of the manufacturer, all of these systems have a slight slant. Therefore, it’s essential to contain bottles filled with liquid to avoid spills.

Vertical Screw Conveyor

For vertical operations, the screw type conveyor has some unique qualities. If you need to transport bulk, as well as semi-fluid or solid materials, this is an excellent choice. The primary advantage of elevating screw conveyors is their ability to regulate material at a uniform rate.

Because of what they’re designed to do, this is the only type of conveyor system that some industries use. For instance, this is the solution that wastewater facilities, food production companies, and chemical processing plants depend on.

There’s No Need to Compromise

To enhance your company’s production and streamline processes, check out the conveyor systems in Canada.

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Created on Jan 12th 2022 05:52. Viewed 246 times.

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