Both warehouse and industrial conveyor systems are vital ways to improve throughput and increase efficiency in different working environments. In this guide, we cover the key differences between industrial and warehouse conveyors, helping you to choose the best solution for your requirements.
What Are Warehouse Conveyors?
Warehouse conveyor systems are designed to meet the fast-paced requirements of retail and ecommerce businesses, enabling the swift movement and sorting of a variety of goods. Common applications for warehouse conveyors include the movement of packages throughout a facility, distribution, order fulfilment and sorting parcels ahead of shipping.
These types of conveyors tend to be lightweight and designed to operate quickly and safely within an environment where speed is vital. Warehouse conveyors may be used in-house by retail or ecommerce businesses or may also be used by third-party logistics providers.
Common Types of Warehouse Conveyors
Warehouse conveyors are available in a range of different types, from simple systems to complex, multi-conveyor setups to facilitate the flow of goods through a business. Some examples include:
- Belt conveyors
- Gravity roller conveyors
- Motorised roller conveyors
- Sortation conveyors
- Telescopic conveyors
- Flexible expanding roller conveyors
What Are Industrial Conveyors?
Industrial conveyor systems are rugged, heavy-duty solutions that are used for a range of applications, often in outdoor or harsh operating conditions. A typical application for industrial conveyors is the heavy-duty movement of materials or as part of a manufacturing line. These conveyors typically operate around the clock, transporting high volumes of material from one location to another.
You will find industrial conveyors in a range of different industries, including chemical processing, food processing, automotive manufacturing, mining and agriculture. These conveyors need to be more hard-wearing than warehouse systems in most cases.
Common Types of Industrial Conveyors
Different types of industrial conveyors are available to suit various sectors and use cases. Some examples of the type of industrial conveyor systems you may use include:
- Screw conveyors
- Drag chain conveyors
- Slat conveyors
- Heavy-duty belt conveyors
- Pneumatic conveyors
- Bucket elevators
Key Differences Between Warehouse and Industrial Conveyors
Purpose and Operational Environment
Warehouse Conveyors
Conveyors in warehouse environments are chosen for their efficiency, enabling faster throughput of goods in and out of businesses. Typically, warehouses are clean indoor environments. As such, conveyors do not need to be as rugged or hard-wearing as industrial conveyors, instead focusing on the fastest possible workflow.
Industrial Conveyors
Industrial conveyors are kept in far harsher conditions than warehouse systems, requiring a durable, reliable and hard-wearing design. The demand placed on these conveyors is also higher, with the need to move heavy bulk materials and components that would be difficult to shift otherwise.
Material Types Handled
Warehouse Conveyor Systems
Warehouse conveyors are more suitable for handling lighter weights and transporting smaller materials at a faster rate. For example, boxes, parcels and totes are common goods for transportation on these conveyor systems. Larger items, such as pallets or white goods, may also be transported by conveyor systems that have the capacity to handle their weight.
Industrial Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems in industrial environments are designed to handle heavier, irregular loads of materials. This could include aggregates, metal parts and bulk solids that require efficient, continuous movement from one location to another. Chemicals and heavy equipment can also be moved with these conveyor systems safely and effectively.
Conveyor Construction and Durability
Warehouse Conveyors
Conveyors for use in warehouses are typically built with lightweight frames. This makes them optimal for on-site flexibility, enabling conveyors to be adjusted and moved to match changing workflows. These conveyors are often modular in nature and built from aluminium or light steel, with no need for a heavy and rugged design for the specific use requirements of these systems.
Industrial Conveyors
Industrial conveyor systems are constructed to be long-lasting in harsh environments and difficult conditions. This includes a reinforced steel construction and wear-resistant components that ensure the conveyor remains operational. High-temperature and corrosion-resistant materials are often used in the design of industrial conveyors to prevent damage caused by moving materials.
Automation and Technology Integration
Warehouse Conveyors
Automation is a valuable tool for warehouse workflows, further improving efficiency and enabling the accurate movement of goods and parcels to their destination. Some examples of technology integration you could combine with a conveyor system include Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), robotics, sortation technology, scanning systems and AI-driven fulfilment.
Industrial Conveyors
Integrations can also be used with industrial conveyors to streamline processes and synchronise with other machinery within an industrial workflow. For example, PLC controls can be utilised to automate entire manufacturing processes. Conveyors can be combined with heavy equipment to further improve their efficiency, or sensor-based automation can be introduced to track progress and improve safety.
Priorities for Different Conveyors
Warehouse Conveyors
The most significant priority for warehouse conveyors is getting items where they need to go as swiftly as possible. In retail and ecommerce businesses, in particular, high levels of throughput are essential to meet demand and provide a positive customer experience. Conveyors for warehouses are utilised to enable faster movement for fulfilment and shipping.
Industrial Conveyors
On the other hand, industrial conveyors need to be long-lasting and capable of handling heavy, continuous throughput. The key priorities when choosing a conveyor for an industrial application are endurance and torque, ensuring a high volume of materials or items can continue to move consistently without breakdowns or technical issues.
Maintenance Requirements
Warehouse Conveyors
Conveyors in warehouse environments are designed to be modular, a concept that also applies to the components in the construction of these conveyor systems. Easy maintenance is a key benefit for these types of conveyors, though more frequent light servicing is required to enable continual operation.
Industrial Conveyors
Industrial conveyors experience heavier wear due to harsh environments and heavy material loads. This means signs of wear will appear faster, requiring ongoing maintenance and downtime. Downtime can be costly to businesses, and specialised servicing is a requirement to reduce downtime and ensure continued, ongoing operation.
When Warehouse and Industrial Conveyor Systems Overlap
Environments where processing, manufacturing and shipping logistics occur within a single facility may utilise both warehouse and industrial conveyor systems to meet varying on-site requirements.
For example, the construction of products may require substantial volumes of different materials to be throughput into the business, while the final product is packaged and shipped individually using more lightweight, fast conveyor systems.
Facilities that ship materials in bulk and smaller items, such as garden centres or DIY companies, may utilise both industrial conveyors and warehouse conveyors to meet their needs. A hybrid workflow with different conveyor types allows materials to be moved safely and prepared for shipping efficiently in tandem.
Need Help Finding The Right Conveyor System for Your Business? Get In Touch Today
The right conveyor system can significantly improve your workflow, reducing time lost to manual processes or minimising time spent on manual processes. At Coveya, we have extensive experience pairing our clients with the best conveyor systems for their specific applications.
From heavy industrial applications to ecommerce throughput, we can advise on the best conveyors for your specifications. Contact us today to discuss your application and requirements.