What Is a Heavy Duty Conveyor?

A heavy duty conveyor is a system used in industrial or construction settings to move heavy materials from one place to another. In factories or warehouses, boxes and other large objects are moved across the heavy duty conveyor, and the system very often features a motor that powers the conveyor belt. The system usually features several rollers bound with a rubber conveyor belt, and when items are placed on the belt, they can be moved easily as the belt turns. In construction settings, raw materials such as stone or soil can be moved up a vertical conveyor so that material can be sifted or dumped into vehicles for transport.

The specific function of a heavy duty conveyor system can vary according to its intended purpose. Some conveyors, for example, feature no motor at all, but instead a series of rollers mounted in a frame. Items are pushed along the heavy duty conveyor system, and the rollers that are mounted on bearings allow the items to keep moving. Such systems usually do not feature a belt, so smaller items cannot be transported on this system because they may get jammed in between the rollers.

A motorized heavy duty conveyor does not necessarily need to run in a straight line, either. Some advanced types of conveyors feature curves, splits, and even inclines or declines to accommodate the needs of a specific manufacturer. Such systems are useful for sorting items or processing boxes for shipping. Assembly line factories may also use a heavy duty conveyor system to allow large items to be transported from one construction station to another. Automobile manufacturing plants, for example, may feature very large conveyor systems that are capable of moving the automobile throughout the various stages of its assembly.

The term "heavy duty" implies that the system will be used to handle items of exceptionally large weights, or constant use during a manufacturing process. The system must therefore be built with durability in mind, and like other mechanical machines, it will need to be inspected regularly to ensure safe, efficient operation. Parts will need to be replaced regularly to keep the system going; bearings in individual rollers are likely to fail after time and will warrant replacement. A machinist will likely need to monitor the machine and make any necessary repairs, and he or she will also perform any routine maintenance the system requires.