Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Accumulation conveyor
Also known as: Zero-pressure accumulation conveyor, Buffer conveyor
German: Stauförderer
In intralogistics, an accumulation conveyor is a conveyor that can hold products in a queue without stopping the whole line, either with low line pressure or with zero pressure by stopping each zone separately.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
An accumulation conveyor holds products in a queue as a buffer between machines, often in zones that stop individually to avoid contact pressure.
Example
Between the filler and the case packer, a zero-pressure roller conveyor buffers up to 40 cartons while the packer changes its film roll.
How it applies
- Engineering: Zero-pressure accumulation divides the conveyor into zones with their own drive or clutch and a sensor per zone. A zone runs only if the next zone is free. This protects sensitive products and decouples machines with different speeds.
- Operation: Buffers absorb short stops of a downstream machine, so the upstream machine keeps running. Sizing the buffer is part of line design around the Bottleneck.
- Safety: Zones can start automatically when the next zone clears. Instructions and warnings must address this automatic restart, and the risk assessment must cover nip points between rollers and products; see Unexpected startup.
- Documentation: Describe the zone logic, the sensor positions and how to clear a jam safely, including which energy must be isolated first.
Accumulation conveyor vs. transport conveyor
A transport conveyor only moves products from A to B and runs continuously. An accumulation conveyor also stores them temporarily; the logic, not just the mechanics, makes the difference.