Conveyor 101: Key Terms Every Buyer Should Know
Understanding conveyor terminology is essential when planning or upgrading a material handling system. That’s why we put together a list of common terms you’ll encounter. Whether these terms are new to you or a refreshed, we hope this list gives you confidence in your next purchase.
Core Conveyor Terms
- Straight: A conveyor section that moves products in a single, linear direction. This is the most widely used conveyor type.
- Curve: A conveyor segment that changes the direction of travel—typically 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90° curves. The rollers in curve conveyors are designed to maintain product orientation while navigating turns.
- Spur: A short conveyor section branching off the main line and is used to feed or discharge products at an angle.
- Heavy-Duty: Describes conveyors built for larger, heavier loads—often featuring reinforced frames, larger rollers, and chain or poly-rib drives.
- Component: Any individual conveyor assembly or module that is part of a larger system.
- System: An integrated series of components working together to move, sort, or handle products from one end of a layout to another.
Merges, Diverts, and Transfers: What’s the Difference?
- Merge: Combines two or more conveyor lines into one. Merges frequently use an angled spur or belted merge to join product flows while maintaining spacing.
- Divert: Sends products off the main line to another destination—left, right, or down—based on a barcode, SKU, other optical cues, or a timed interval. Diverts can be 30° or 45° and are often powered.
- Transfer: Moves products from one conveyor to another, typically at a 90° angle. Transfers may use belts, chains, or pop-up mechanisms to accomplish this. These devices can be manual, pneumatic, or electrically actuated.
Need help designing the right conveyor system? Contact NorthAmCon for custom-engineered solutions that speak your language.
Let’s start the conversation. Contact us at sales@northamcon.com or call (989) 358-6119.
