What is a pallet conveyor?
A pallet conveyor is a machine that is dedicated to the handling of products stacked on wooden or plastic pallets. A pallet conveyor will transport pallets of product along its length from “point A” to “point B”. Pallet conveyors generally use either rollers or chains to move pallets along the length of the conveyor. For pallet roller conveyors, the rollers are driven by an electric motor which rotates the rollers under the pallet, this conveys the pallet forward. For pallet chain conveyors, either two or three strands of chain are used to move pallets forward. The chains run inside plastic chain guides and the chains are pulled along using an electric motor. The pallet sits on top of the chains and as the chains are pulled forward, so is the pallet.
What pallet types can conveyors handle?
Pallet conveyor systems are comprised of a variety of functions, depending on the requirements of the end user. Another factor in the selection of pallet conveyor types, is the product to be handled. There are numerous types of pallets used around the world to transport product, and the pallet conveyor hardware selected to handle the specific pallet types is critical to the reliable operation of the system.
Pallet types seen in the United Kingdom are most commonly either UK Standard Pallets, or Euro Pallets. UK Standard Pallets are 1,200mm wide by 1,000mm long, and have full perimeter bottom boards. Euro Pallets are 800mm wide by 1,200mm long, and only have bottom boards running length ways. Both pallet types are available in wood and plastic.
Due to the difference in construction of both pallet types, the pallet conveying systems designed for handling them have key differences. The selection of the correct pallet conveyor type is very important. Pallet orientation, especially when changing direction on a conveyor system, requires different conveyor types for each pallet type. Generally, UK Standard Pallets can travel wide and narrow edge leading on roller conveyors, as they have bottom boards on all edges. Euro pallets however, can only travel on roller conveyors narrow edge leading, and must be handled on chain conveyors if they are to travel wide edge leading on a system.
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