Conveyors

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

operation is: "Do not handle the item except for

f. Conveyors. A conveyor, excluding mobile units,

performance of essential operations."

is defined as a device to move materials along a

Material should be moved mechanically

defined path. The storage and shipment of units in large

whenever possible with emphasis on movement through

quantities and materials handling depend upon each

the entire operation with minimized manual actions.

other. Since conveyors are one of the major devices for

Mechanical loading and unloading of material should be

the handling of materials, the task of getting the highest

emphasized (i.e., items can be moved from belt

efficiency and economy out of the use of conveyors

conveyors to power and free conveyors by automatic

involves selecting the right conveyor or system of

pickup stations). The use of mechanical handling aids

conveyors for the job.

Today, the conveyor is

will maximize the productive time of available

recognized as one of the more important tools in the

manpower. Synchronization of conveyors eliminates

materials handling field. It is a cost-saving, energy-

waits at transfer points and destination.

Another

saving, and profit making modern mechanism. Before

advantage of the variable speed conveyor is that it can

selecting a conveyor as a purely transporting medium,

be set so as to tie in with other lines of operations.

the economics involved should be studied. The cost of

Conveyor installations must provide adequate

placing the item on, or removing it from the conveyor

clearances for industrial trucks. This applies not only to

may exceed the value gained through the use of the

the vertical plane, but also to the horizontal plane.

conveyor. Gravity conveyor should be used where

In conveyor installations, ample clearance

practicable.

should be provided for industrial trucks and loads to be

When the analysis of the product indicates that

carried. The types of conveyors listed and illustrated in

for loading and unloading highway and railway

this section should be regarded as standard for the

equipment, some type of conveyance is required to

military services. Not every type in use has been listed;

facilitate the operation, roller-feed gravity conveyors

however, this listing should not preclude procurement of

should be considered. Gravity conveyors are used to

other items when required in the interest of efficient and

advantage when loading or unloading small containers

economical materials handling.

as they reduce handling and the need for industrial

(1) Conveyor,

skatewheel

gravity.

trucks, thus reducing detention time. Maintenance cost

Skatewheel gravity conveyor is a free-flowing,

for gravity conveyors is considerably lower than for

nonpowered conveyor used for light-duty applications. It

other means of conveyance. Conveyor speed controls

is available in 12, 15, 18, and 24 inch widths. Wheel

rate of material delivery. The rate at which materials

options include aluminum, steel, and polyethylene. It

arrive at the work station can be controlled by the

can be used in a gravity flow system or can be

conveyor speed to maximize work station output.

combined with motor driven conveyors to become part

Whenever

practicable,

conveyors

should

of an integrated materials handling system.

The

standardized. Conveyors should be purchased utilizing

skatewheel conveyor's primary application is for

standardized specifications to reduce the cost of repair,

handling lightweight loads when portability is required.

the Stockage of repair parts, and the cost of

Almost any object having a solid, reasonably firm

maintenance training. Cost and repair data should be

conveying surface can be transported on a skatewheel

maintained and used in the improvement of

conveyor (fog 4-34).

Standard length is 10-foot

specifications. Wherever practical, conveyor loading

sections, but is also available in curved sections of 45

and unloading should be accomplished by mechanical

degrees.

means. A basic principle of any materials handling

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