Norpak Guide: The Different Types of Accumulation Conveyor

Previously, we outlined the types of situation that necessitate the need for a gravity conveyor. That, however, is just one part of the puzzle. Conveyor selection can be an infinitely customisable endeavour to optimise the material handling requirements unique to your facility.

Let’s take, for instance, facilities conveying materials that vary in weight – it can be troublesome to accommodate for the different speeds they will travel at on gravity conveyors. In such cases a powered conveyor should be your first port of call in establishing positive product flow.

One such horizontal power conveyor is…

1) The Accumulation Conveyor

Having much in common with a live roller conveyor, the difference lies in the ability to minimise or remove drive pressure. This small, yet impactful difference helps an accumulation conveyor, as suggested by its name, accumulate. Accumulation of conveyed materials is essential when cartons are being queued/fed into other stages in the material handling pipeline, such as:

• Loading
• Sorting
• Strapping
• Palletising
• Staging

To optimise your conveyance abilities across these pipelines, it is important you understand the differences between the two fundamental types of accumulating conveyors.

1. A) Minimum Pressure Accumulation Conveyor

The logic behind this conveyor is to provide enough drive pressure to the tread rollers to ensure products move and gently come into contact with one another. A distinguishing feature of this conveyor type is with relation to the back pressure – imparting a minimum of 2% of the total distributed load on the conveyor.

Hytrol’s ACC model is a prime example of this conveyor type being used to accumulate products of similar dimensions across shorter distances with minimal pressure accumulation – particularly advantageous for palletising. Other models for minimum pressure accumulation include ACZ, and NSP.

1. B) Zero Pressure Accumulation Conveyor

Unlike its minimum pressure counterpart, these conveyors are implemented when accumulation is required without products coming into contact with one another – a great solution for conveying fragile goods. How? Sensors activate components within the conveyor that eliminate drive pressure in specific sections. The bother of sourcing an individual logic controller for all this is done away with as all Hytrol zero pressure conveyor models implement EZLogic® technology, serving to streamline the process of stopping and starting cartons in accumulation zones- increasing throughput and reliability, all while decreasing line pressure build-up.

Hytrol’s NBEZ all-electric (as opposed to a mechanical or pneumatic) zero pressure accumulation conveyor gives you an idea as to the leaps that continue to be made in the area of case handling. Consider integrating a zero pressure conveyor (e.g. ABEZ, E24EZ, etc.) into your system when handling products that vary in dimension and weight, especially when looking to queue for sorting processes (other models exist better suited towards pallet handling).

When looking to implement conveyors like this it is advised that you take all precautions into account like product weight, product size, and conveyor speed. Norpak’s recent relocation from Delta, B.C. to Surrey, B.C. situates us in a position that is better than ever to provide clients with the spare parts, stocked inventory, testing, and customisation they need when wanting to enhance their conveyance systems.

If you’re looking to convey products quicker, diminish the likelihood of jams, and/or consult with experts on-site to get the most out of your space - get in touch with Norpak Handling and put the 30 years of knowledge we’ve gained to the test!

Norpak Handling is a leading Canadian conveyor equipment and systems solution provider, specializing in complete project integration services including maintenance and project managemen