Are Right Angle Conveyors Slow Production?
Many assume redirecting products at 90 degrees slows operations, but modern right angle conveyors prove otherwise. With precision engineering and automated transfer methods, these conveyors keep production lines moving smoothly, cutting bottlenecks without sacrificing speed or product safety. They’re not just a corner-turning tool—they’re an efficiency multiplier.
How Do They Really Work?
A right angle conveyor is designed to transfer products from a straight path onto another line at a 90-degree angle, using belts, rollers, or modular chains. This may sound simple, but the design ensures minimal product slippage, reduced wear, and consistent alignment. By controlling product movement precisely, the conveyor maintains flow while reducing jams and collisions, critical for busy print, packaging, and material-handling setups.
Mechanical Design: Precision Meets Reliability
The backbone of these conveyors is their mechanical design. High-quality materials, tight tolerances, and smart engineering create conveyors that last. The transfer points are engineered to handle varying product sizes without manual adjustments.
The system distributes stress evenly, preventing breakdowns and reducing maintenance. Unlike a standard straight conveyor, right angle conveyors integrate easily into existing layouts without requiring additional floor space.
Transfer Methods That Keep Production Smooth
Products can be transferred using different methods depending on speed and orientation requirements:
1. Belt Transfers: Smooth belts guide products around corners with controlled friction. Perfect for delicate or printed materials that can’t tolerate scratching.
2. Roller Transfers: For heavier products, powered or gravity rollers move items seamlessly, maintaining speed while absorbing impact.
3. Pinch or Wheel Transfers: Ideal for high-speed applications, these systems grip items lightly but firmly, preventing misalignment or tipping.
Each method prioritizes minimal downtime and maximum throughput, ensuring your line never lags.
Reducing Bottlenecks: The Real Impact
Bottlenecks are the invisible productivity killers. A right angle conveyor strategically positioned can eliminate slowdowns by keeping items moving fluidly between stages. Whether it’s moving printed sheets, packaged goods, or heavy components, precision redirection ensures your workflow remains uninterrupted. You’ll notice fewer stops, reduced manual intervention, and higher line utilization—all of which translate into faster production and lower operational costs.
Custom Solutions for Unique Challenges
No factory layout is identical. That’s why Barnhart Engineering makes it a point to match all the standards that are expected of them and cater to all your requirements. Custom-designed right angle conveyors can be tailored for speed, product size, and line configuration, ensuring every production line functions efficiently. This flexibility sets them apart from off-the-shelf options, giving your facility a long-term performance edge.
Integrating With Automation for Maximum Benefit
Modern operations pair right angle conveyors with sensors, feeders, and finishing machines to create fully automated workflows. Real-time monitoring ensures products are tracked and redirected precisely, reducing error and material loss. Integration with control systems allows seamless interaction between straight conveyor sections and right angle turns, creating a rhythm on the floor that human operators can rely on without constant supervision.
Why You Should Invest
Efficiency is no longer optional in competitive manufacturing and packaging industries. A properly engineered right angle conveyor reduces manual handling, accelerates production, and minimizes wear on your machinery. By combining precision, speed, and adaptability, it ensures your line performs consistently, giving your operation a measurable return on investment.
Upgrade your production line today. Explore custom right angle conveyor solutions that fit your workflow perfectly, reduce downtime, and boost output. Contact our experts now to design a system tailored to your factory’s unique demands.
FAQs
1. Can right angle conveyors handle heavy loads?
Yes, with the correct rollers or belt configurations, they can move heavy items smoothly without damaging the conveyor or products.
2. How do right angle conveyors differ from straight conveyors?
Right angle conveyors redirect products at 90 degrees with precision, while straight conveyors maintain linear flow. Both can be integrated for seamless automation.
3. Are custom right angle conveyors expensive?
They require upfront investment, but their efficiency, reduced downtime, and long-term reliability make them cost-effective over time.
4. Can they handle delicate materials like printed sheets?
Absolutely. Belt and pinch-wheel transfer systems are specifically designed to protect delicate or sensitive materials from scratches or damage.
5. How do they reduce bottlenecks in production lines?
By redirecting items efficiently, they maintain continuous flow, prevent jams, and reduce manual intervention, ensuring higher throughput and fewer slowdowns.
