Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Conveyor system
Also known as: Conveyor, Conveying system
German: Fördersystem
In material handling, a conveyor system is an installation of connected conveyors, transfer units and controls that moves goods continuously or intermittently along fixed routes.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A conveyor system connects conveyors, transfers and controls to move goods along fixed routes in production and warehouses.
Example
The conveyor system links goods receiving, the high-bay warehouse and twelve picking stations over 900 meters of roller and belt conveyors.
How it applies
- Engineering: Conveyor systems are designed around throughput, load types, buffers and routes. Layout, drive concept and control architecture are decided together.
- Safety: Long conveyor systems cross work areas and aisles. Emergency stop zones, guards at nip points, crossings and protection against falling loads are recurring topics. For unit loads, EN 619 gives safety requirements; the risk assessment covers the specific installation.
- Maintenance: Belts, chains, rollers and drives wear. A maintenance plan per section keeps the system available.
- Documentation: A conveyor system often comes from several suppliers and changes over time. Keep one current layout with section IDs that match the control, HMI and spare parts lists. Treat the complete installation as an Integrated system when writing the operating instructions.
Conveyor system vs. sorter
A Sorter is a specialized part of a conveyor system that distributes items to many destinations at high rates.