Conveyor systems are a requisite in modern day factories and production lines, acting as central pieces of equipment for many businesses across a range of sectors. Over the years, conveyor systems have been adjusted and tailored to offer businesses a range of benefits such as improved efficiency, reduction of costs, and the elimination of manual handling; without conveyors the industry now would be far from the same.
The design of contemporary conveyors is also innovative and intelligent, allowing many conveyor systems to be integrated around other important apparatus – seamlessly slotting into many different factories with differing working set-ups. In this article, we set out to discuss how the design of conveyor systems have revolutionised the industry and to demonstrate this, we will be taking a deep dive into the history of conveyors to explore their ground-breaking results across the industry.
The beginnings – early conveyor systems
Conveyor belts have been around for a long time and have been an integral part to many factories and production lines throughout time. Many believe that the first conveyor system may have been implemented in as far back as the late 1700s. Since their early stages, conveyor systems have seen continuous improvements in productivity, durability and have utilised different materials and technology that have seen major advancements in efficiency.
The very first conveyor systems were very primitive in their designs and demonstrate how far technology has come. The first conveyors used materials such as leather, wood, canvas, and rubber and were ‘hand-operated using cranks a system of pulleys.’ Not long after the first conveyor systems appeared, steam power was integrated to eliminate the need for any human labour. The use of steam power with the conveyor system was implemented at the same time as the British industrial revolution. The navy was one of first to utilise steam-operated conveyors and shortly after many industries followed in their footsteps.
Henry Ford’s impact
One of the most revolutionary moments in the history of conveyor system design which largely affected how conveyors were implemented in today’s factories was Henry Ford’s use in the assembly lines for his Model T cars in 1913. This is one of the most famous instances of conveyor systems being integrated and significantly impacting efficiency. It was reported that by utilising conveyor systems the time taken to manufacture an automobile was reduced to 93 minutes. The use of conveyors in the automobile industry significantly assisted with continuous production. Ford’s implementation of the conveyor system marked what was about to be a significant change in the way factories and all sorts of production lines operated.
Turning points in the materials
Following on from increased implementation of conveyor systems in the early 1900s, conveyors began to evolve in terms of size, length, and the materials that were being used. Due to the scarcity of natural materials in the second world war more synthetic materials started being used such as urethane and synthetic rubber.
Despite rising demand in conveyors following on from the war, systems were still quite primitive in their designs and thus, significant advancements were made towards the end of the 20th century. The 1970s onwards saw a transition into what is loosely termed as the more ‘modern’ era of conveyor belts. This era saw lots of innovation in regards to the materials being used, with materials such as plastic first being introduced.
The implementation of plastic conveyor systems was revolutionary for the food processing industry – solving the problem of providing a food-safe material. As opposed to the use of metal conveyors which would overtime see a build-up of rust and corrosion. Therefore, the use of plastic conveyors had a seminal impact on cost-efficiency, overall maintenance, and safety. Plastic belts are still used today, particularly in the food processing industry and utilise various modern plastics and thermoplastics.
Contemporary conveyor systems
Contemporary conveyor systems can be found in factories all over the world and across a multitude of sectors. Conveyor systems today continue to push the boundaries of technological advancement. They are seen as integral to the efficient running of many businesses across a wide range of industries. The capabilities of contemporary conveyor systems allow them to be tailored and integrated into various different and complex set ups.
Modern conveyor system designs are more user-friendly, negate human resource challenges, and installation is often a one-time cost. Modern conveyor belt designs are intuitive; considering how the conveyor will be implemented in each setting and what role it will play. Contemporary conveyors can directly impact the profitability of many businesses, with production capability and efficiency. The use of smarter materials as opposed to earlier renditions of conveyor systems also means they are longer lasting and more adapted for challenges such as heavier weights and larger designs.
Technological enhancement
Contemporary conveyors systems and their manufacturers are utilising modern technology to reach new heights, achieve even higher targets, and optimise work efficiency. Computerisation and the implementation of advanced technology has made conveyor systems even more efficient, reliable, and smart. Conveyor systems can now be programmed in certain ways to run smoothly and efficiently with the specific machinery around them and are becoming increasingly customisable. Computerisation has revolutionised the industry; now very specific requirements of businesses can be met.
The future
With technology constantly progressing, conveyor systems are likely to be refined even further. It is very likely that technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be integrated and will further revolutionise the industry. The use of AI would reduce human oversight even further and will also have potential effects on the reduction of maintenance.
Interested in finding out more about conveyor system design? At Elmleigh, we are specialists in system integration for electrical and mechanical automation systems, specialising in the food and drink and parcel distribution sectors. For more information on how conveyor systems could revolutionise your business operations, contact us on 01455 847045.