Choosing the Right Conveyor System

However, when researching the ability of different conveyors to meet these current expectations, you also want to make sure that the conveyor system you select can also adapt to your changing needs, including being able to scale up as you grow or adapt to integrate with other technology or equipment. Also, will it meet current and future energy efficiency guidelines and environmental requirements?

Rather than looking at conveyor systems purchase based solely on the initial cost to acquire it, the wiser business decision is to consider which model suits your needs based on the overall value or acquisition cost over time. This will help focus your long-term strategy on sustaining or even growing profitability and gaining a stronger competitive advantage.

Here are some key factors that you should look at closely when selecting from the conveyors now available:

• System Needs: You need to be aware of your own system requirements. Ask yourself questions like: How are orders being picked? What rate should they be picked at? What is the order volume to be shipped in a day and a week? Are there seasonal periods where volume will be higher?


• Safety and Ergonomics: Consider what type of built-in safety features that are now available on different types of conveyors to look out for the well-being of your staff who work around the conveyor system. Beyond risk factors and enhanced safety, comfort is also important to consider. Look for systems that are designed to keep workers from stooping over or standing in a way that can compromise their long-term health.


• Energy Efficiency: Being more responsible with energy consumption is a must as businesses need to be "green." Consider a conveyor system that uses less energy like those that have a "sleep" feature for certain sections of the equipment that is not currently needed.


• Reliability and Maintenance:You want a system that keeps moving and does so without too much regular maintenance. And, you definitely want a conveyor system that does not break down because stoppage costs you money and damages your reputation. Look for those conveyors that can go the distance, including surviving a 24/7 schedule.



As previously mentioned, it is also important to consider the conveyor system features that have more long-range implications. These include:



• System Needs: You need to estimate or project your system requirements for the longer term. For example: What do your growth projections look like and how will volume change in the next 2-5 years? 5-10 years?


• Flexibility and Modularity: You want to select from the conveyors available one that has different components or sections that can be configured to your design specifications or that can be reconfigured when you need to make certain changes. It is also important that the conveyor system be flexible to work with various product sizes or types, especially if you plan to grow and integrate additional product lines in the future.


• Scalability:In line with flexibility and modularity is the ability to have the conveyor system future-proofed so you can add further volume yet stay just as efficient and productive as you did when you were a smaller operation.
  

Looking at all of these features and factors will help you to determine the types of conveyors and conveyor systems that will work well with your business strategy.