If you want to update your conveyor system, you may need to evaluate the different options available for food production lines. There are many different types of industrial conveyors, such as chain conveyor systems and belt conveyor systems. However, before making this investment, you need to evaluate the pros and cons of each option and determine whether they fit the needs of your company.
In this article, we will discuss belt vs. chain conveyor systems and how both options benefit from automation. We will also dive into the different conveyor system options available at Quantum and how they can help you improve efficiency.
Chain Conveyor Systems
The differences between chain conveyor systems and belt conveyors may not be immediately noticeable, but they can play a key role in determining which system is the better fit for your company.
A chain conveyor belt is made up of a series of small parts that connect together, forming a track that is used to transport products through the food production line. Generally, chain conveyors are considered to be more suitable for heavy objects and high temperatures and are more resistant to wear and tear.
Belt Conveyor Systems
Depending on your production needs, you may also want to consider a belt conveyor system. Unlike chain conveyors, belt conveyors are made up of two or more pulleys that rotate a line belt, carrying products through the production line. They tend to be more lightweight and look similar to a treadmill.
Belt conveyors are suitable for transporting loose materials over long distances and do not require very much maintenance. Due to the lightweight nature of food production, belt conveyors are a popular option as they tend to be more affordable and flexible.
Chain Conveyor Belt: Benefits of Automated Conveying Systems
Now that you know the differences between a belt vs. chain conveyor, what are the benefits of automating this process? Automated conveying systems are the ultimate step if you want to grow your company and focus less on manual labor.
Here are some of the main benefits you get when you invest in automated conveyors, such as the ones we provide at Quantum:
- Reduced Manual Labor: Automation naturally reduces the need for manual labor, allowing you to maintain a smaller team. This will also help significantly when it comes to improving efficiency and reducing human error.
- Improved Scalability: Without automation, you are going to have many limitations as your company is growing. Automated equipment provides greater scalability so that you can speed up production without having to sacrifice the quality of your products.
- Reproducibility: Part of why automation is so useful in food production is its ability to do repetitive tasks over and over again. This helps to improve reproducibility, which is essential if you are manufacturing food products at a high volume.
- Product Flexibility: Many automated systems provide greater flexibility regarding the type of products you can make. They also provide more advanced settings that allow the equipment to grow with you, such as integration abilities and adjustable speed settings.
Investing in Industrial Conveyors: What to Look For
If you have decided to invest in a new food production conveyor, you need to know what to look for. This is a significant investment that will most likely be in use for many years to come, so you want to invest in the right option—one that can grow with your company and meet all of your needs. Here is a breakdown of the main factors to consider when evaluating industrial conveyor options.
Customized Settings
When it comes to food production, you need to ensure you have flexibility regarding what you provide and how you work. Customized settings can help you meet demand while catering to changing consumer tastes and trends. A common example of a customizable conveyor is one that can be shortened or extended depending on your facility’s needs. Generally, choosing equipment with customizable settings can also help you avoid investing in additional pieces of equipment later on.
Automated Features
Automation is the future of food production and should be integrated into your facility. Although conveyors are already quite automated by design, you need to look for systems that provide additional automated features.
At Quantum, almost all of our conveyor systems provide additional automated features. For instance, our QTCC series can compress ingredients to improve uniformity, while our reclaim conveyors can reclaim ingredients so that they can be used for other products instead of being wasted.
Integration Abilities
In many ways, conveyors are the backbone of any food production company, as they are a critical part of the entire production process. Because of this, upgrading your conveyor system can come with some challenges, especially if you don’t want to upgrade all of your other equipment.
The good news is that there are conveyor systems available with integration capabilities, allowing them to work seamlessly with the equipment you already have. For example, at Quantum, our line of standard conveyors can be easily adapted to fit your existing system.
Additional Services
Aside from looking at the conveyor itself, you should also consider any additional services included with your purchase. At Quantum, we offer several other services when you purchase any of our equipment, including training for operators and preventative maintenance. You should also look at the warranty to ensure there is coverage in case the conveyor breaks down unexpectedly.
Improve Your Food Production Line With Quantum Technology
Do you run a food manufacturing company and need to invest in a new chain conveyor belt system? At Quantum, we offer a range of industrial conveyors suitable to meet a variety of production needs. All of our conveyor systems are specifically designed for prepared meal manufacturing companies, helping you to meet demand without reducing quality or reproducibility. Contact our team today to learn more about the types of industrial conveyors we provide.