The Basics of Gravity Conveyors

Gravity conveyors can be installed horizontally or on a decline. Horizontal styles are great for order picking, assembly operations, or inventory tracking. Decline conveyors are used as a gravity flow system. For a great selection of conveyor products visit www.materialflow.com or call 1-800-338-1382 for friendly customer service.

To calculate the degree of pitch needed keep in mind several factors.

1. Is the conveyor roller or skatewheel?
2. Does the conveyor have grease packed or clean bearings?
3. What is the weight of the package?
4. Is the package you will be moving in good condition?

Incline Conveyors
Below is a table of typical inclines for various products. Be sure to test products before using your conveyor system.

Item	Weight	Slope (inches per 10 ft.)
Baskets	–	5″
Barrels	–	5″
Wood Boxes	15-25 lbs.	6 1/4″
Wood Boxes	25-50 lbs.	5″
Wood Boxes	100-250 lbs.	3 1/8″
Brick	–	5″
Cartons	3-6 lbs.	6 1/4″
Cartons	6-12 lbs.	8 3/4″
Cartons	12-25 lbs.	7 1/2″
Cartons	25-30 lbs.	6 1/4″
Crates	–	5″ - 6 1/4″
Drums	150-300 lbs.	2 1/2″-3 3/4″
Lumber	–	5″
Pans, Tote	–	2 1/2″-5″

By slowly changing the amount of incline over a period it can keep products from moving too fast. Remember that products move faster as a spinning roller or wheel increases the speed.

Items to Move on Wheel Conveyors
-Items with a flat, smooth bottom edge work well with wheel conveyors.

Items to Move on Roller Conveyors
-Items with uneven or open bottoms work well on roller conveyors.

More Tips…
-Boxes must have space between them so they stay properly oriented when going around curves.

-Y switches and diverters allow packages to switch lanes.

-Gravity conveyors can be used in conjunction with powered conveyors.

-For a great selection of conveyor products visit www.materialflow.com or call 1-800-338-1382 for friendly customer service.