All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(2950 products available)
Retracting conveyor systems come in several types, each designed to meet specific material handling needs in different industries. These conveyors are named for their ability to extend and retract, making them particularly useful in dynamic loading and unloading environments. Below are the key types categorized both by design and functionality.
These conveyors use rollers as the main transport surface and are highly effective for heavy items. Since retractable roller conveyors are suited for long products, heavy products, or huge pallets, they are widely used in warehouses, distribution centers, logistics, and manufacturing facilities.
This conveyor belt has been designed to carry lighter to moderate loads. The slider bed construction is apt for small to medium-sized products, cases, or boxes. Due to their ability to provide smooth and silent operation, these types of conveyors are also used in packaging and assembly line operations.
These conveyors are highly flexible and useful for lightweight operations. Belt conveyors are ideal because they can carry a variety of products, such as boxes, bags, and packages, without giving them any impact. Popular application areas include shipping, food and beverage, and consumer products.
These systems are designed to handle large products, especially in heavyweight settings. This type of conveyor is retractable over long periods, so it is ideal for low-load media transfer over long distances. Large retractable conveyor systems are mainly found in automotive assembly, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing industries.
Chain retractable conveyor systems are ideal for transporting heavy loads or products with a rough surface. Chain conveyors take pride in their strength and durability, which makes them fit for tasks involving big bags, metal pieces, or crates. They find common application in the mining industry, as well as in the production of steel and other heavy materials.
As the name suggests, these types of conveyors use no belt, chain, or power to convey. They are cost-effective for smooth movements under the influence of self-gravity. Since gravity conveyor systems are manually operated, they are used in temporary installations or low-tech applications; thus, they are useful for light and medium products. Gravity conveyor systems are often used by loading docks, shipping areas, and warehouse racking systems.
The design of retractable conveyors is important because it improves efficiency when loading and unloading materials in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers. The basic elements of the different types of retractable conveyor systems are listed below.
The frame of the conveyor is the main supporting body and is designed to withstand the weight of materials and the stress of constant operation. Sturdy tubular steel frames are used to endure heavy loads in rollers or chain conveyors for heavy constructions. For light-duty conveyors, such as slider bed or belt conveyors, frames are designed with lighter materials, though still sufficiently resilient. The frames on conveyor systems are also highly corrosion-resistant, which is crucial in industries like food processing and chemical plants.
The choice of rollers or belts used in retractable conveyors is dictated by the type of conveyor used and the load to be processed. Powered rollers in roller conveyors are built with heavy-duty steel or rubber facing for enhanced durability and a strong grip. The belturance materials have been developed for belt conveyors, including PVC, rubber, and polyurethane. These materials enhance flexibility while resisting wear because they efficiently transport light materials. Slider bed conveyors have rollers embedded in the belt to provide help and strength to the belt. The belt material should be chosen based on the product's weight and frictional characteristics.
There are electric motors, pneumatic drives, and hydraulic systems in propel systems for retract conveyor systems, depending on the type and application. Electric motors are the most commonly deployed drives as they are easy to control and provide constant torque. Pneumatic drives are typical in industries that are already using pneumatic systems. Hydraulic propo systems provide exceptional power and are common in industries and operations with heavy weights.
The operation of retractable conveyors is reliant on modern control systems that seamlessly integrate with the whole material handling system. Users can easily move, stop, and retract the conveyor by implementing simple protocols to manage its operations. The system's control is automatically achieved by sensors, photo eyes, or limit switches, which are called "smart" systems." Control systems communicate with host operations to send and receive operational information so that the conveyor will follow just-in-time processing.
Fall prevention systems incorporated into the retractable conveyor designs include emergency stop buttons, overload sensors, and guard rails or shields. Conveyor entry guards, light curtains, and emergency stop buttons are examples of how to protect operators from getting hurt. The load-over sensor also helps by shutting down the conveyor when it is overloaded, while the power failure braking system engages the belt or rollers to stop slipping or falling. Again, some of the features, such as the emergency stop, are standardized, while others are optional and designated based on the user's specific safety requirements.
Retractable conveyors are very flexible and applicable in many dynamic loading and unloading situations. The extendable conveyors used in these applications can be retracted conveniently, hence the name. Some of their ideal application environments include the following:
Walking floor conveyors are widely used in warehouses for sorting, relocating, and moving goods in small spaces. Since goods are usually transported from one corner to another for storage or delivery, retractable conveyor belts can be extended and retracted to travel through tight places, making them favorable for this industry. Roller conveyors are often utilized for pallet handling, and the conveyor system can retract when not in use to help avoid obstruction of routes or storage places. Gravity conveyors are often finished work, transitioning products from one place to another, such as finished products moving from a station to packing.
Conveyors placed at loading docks help in the rapid and easy transfer of products to or from trucks. They transport the pallets to the loading door, enabling efficient goods transfer without using a forklift or hand trolley, especially in large trucks and containers. They also assist in equalizing the heights of semi-truck trailers and other loading bays to enable easy offloading. Retractable conveyor belts can be pulled back when loading is completed to keep work areas organized and safe.
Retraction machines are common in manufacturing plants for transporting raw materials, parts, and finished products through production lines. Automated retraction machines are common in high-speed environments where loads, parts, or products need to be transported from one working area to another with minimum human intervention. For example, large belt conveyors are typical in automobile plants to move big frames or car parts. In food processing industries, retractable conveyor covers can be easily opened for cleaning and maintenance.
Retractable conveyors are frequently in demand in retail outlets and e-commerce fulfillment centers, where the products move at a swift pace. In these environments, the slider bed conveyor is ideal for small items like packages, boxes, and bags. Since these items only weigh a little, belts can retract to move through narrow aisles and deliver goods to the next preferred destination. In peak seasons, such as the holidays, retractable conveyors can be expanded to help with the increased order traffic, and once the rush passes, they can return to their normal positions.
Retractable conveyor systems are versatile and very useful for transporting bulk material in semi-truck trailers and intermodal containers. The conveyor will extend to the height of the trailer, allowing the materials to be moved inside or outside by forklift or pallet jack. The system will retract once the load is completely offloaded, and the trailer is clear so that a clear path is not obstructed.
To ensure reliability and durability, retractable skateboard conveyors must be maintained and installed based on specifications, load types, and industry applications. Note the following key aspects of the specification and maintenance of retractable conveyors:
Load capacity varies between conveyor types and depends on the manufacturer, so one should always check the guidelines. Pallet conveyors can handle greater weights than slider bed or belt conveyors because they are rollers. Products that exceed the conveyor's weight capacity may cause the system to fail, bend, and fail and present a risk to the operator.
The motor power needed also depends on the load that the conveyor will be carrying and the distance that the conveyor will be traveling. A more powerful electric conveyor drive is often required for long belt runs or heavy loads. This is important because installing motors of different sizes on stretched belt conveyors or underloaded belt conveyors will result in inefficiency and ineffectiveness.
Different retract conveyors have speed specifications for moving items from one place to the other, usually between 30 and 120 fpm. Longer conveyor systems may have lower speed requirements because they need to support the rest of the line. Longer conveyor arms or belts increase the running speed of the conveyor system. Check the system specifications and requirements for the correct motor power to avoid accidents.
There are several maintenance tasks for retractable conveyors, including lubrication, visual inspections, cleaning, and checking for alignment. For belt conveyor drive units, bearings, belts, and friction rollers are the main areas for lubrication using grease or lubricant. Also, ensure that the chain, rollers, and belt have been checked for excessive wear. Check to ensure that pulleys have been properly aligned and are well-positioned. Conveyor roller seats have overloads or misalignments, which may cause unexpected production downtimes and, thus, should be addressed.
Other factors may affect the conveyor's components, including temperature extremes, humidity, dust, or chemicals. Outdoor conveyor systems should have weather covers or shields to protect the machine from outside influences or climatic elements. Chemical splash guards, conveyor skirts, or shields on the rollers may be applicable in processing plants where chemicals are frequently handled. Conveyors operate in temperatures lower than -20°F or in excess of 100°F. Some conveyor frame parts should be coated or built with special alloys, stainless steel, or other materials to prevent deterioration or deformation.
A: A retractable conveyor is a type of conveyor that can extend and retract mechanically, facilitating movement in varied spaces.
A: They are widely used in warehousing, shipping and receiving, manufacturing, and distribution centers for loading and offloading goods.
A: Maintenance requirements depend on the type but typically involve lubrication, cleaning, and inspections to ensure smooth operation.
A: The key difference lies in the ability of retractable conveyors to adjust their length, making them more flexible for specific applications.
A: Yes, some retractable conveyors, like roller and chain types, are designed to handle heavy loads. Selecting the proper type for the specific load requirements is essential.
