A good conveyor motor keeps your conveyor belt consistently turning at the optimum speed. Depending on your needs, that may be consistent high velocity or precisely controlled, intermittent speeds in one or more directions. You may need to transport items over long distances quickly or hold loads in one place for a period of time at certain points along the conveyor system.
The unique and diverse uses of conveyor applications also mean that there are proportionally diverse options with which to power the system.
An appropriate motor with the ideal diameter will offer the power, torque, and speed required to keep the belt moving at the desired pace. If a reduction in speed or a complete stop is needed at times, then an electromagnetic brake can be applied or a gearbox can be added to slow down a conveyor belt – providing increased torque as required.
If you are assembling a conveyor system for manufacturing, assembly, or another commercial purpose, choosing the right motor for the job is key. Deciding on what motor type and size will be able to meet your needs should be at the forefront of your mind as the plans for your conveyor come together.
Know Your Power Requirements
Choosing the right motor for the job can depend on the required payload, speed, acceleration, direction, and other unique requirements for the needs of your project.
In general terms, consider the approximate weight of the items you are transporting and the distance they need to travel along a single belt as well as the speed at which you would like them to arrive at their destination. With these factors in mind, it may be immediately obvious if you will have high or low power motor requirements in order to get the job done.
To get more specific, computing your power needs will ensure you are neither disastrously underpowered nor needlessly overpowered. These calculations can of course be made manually, but there are various programs online that offer helpful modern computer software to make computing a breeze.
Additionally, our design team and engineers will be happy to step up and assist you with answering these questions and solving these equations as needed to ensure the success of your project.
So, once we have the specific power requirements that your conveyor system will need, you are ready to determine which motor options are viable for your project and able to meet your other needs when it comes to things such as maintenance or longevity.
Choosing a Motor Type
If you are putting together a conveyor application, then you might choose between one of three options: an AC (Alternating Current) motor, a DC (Direct Current) motor, or a Brushless DC motor.
An AC motor is usually larger and heavier than either a Brushed or Brushless DC motor and can typically accommodate higher weights and greater power needs. However, the greater output of an AC motor also has higher power requirements as well, and some AC motors may have lower efficiency than their DC counterparts. Lastly, an AC motor is better suited for fixed or constant speeds in comparison to a DC. Therefore, for a large, heavy-duty job that you want to keep moving at a fast or slow pace, it is likely that an AC motor will be best able to handle the workload.
If you have a need for varying conveyor speed, then you may be leaning towards a Direct Current (DC) motor, for its smaller size, power density, and adequate power output. So, your next decision is between a traditional Brushed or a more modern Brushless DC motor.
Although a Brushed motor can have a lower initial cost as well as high reliability and speed control, keep in mind that a Brushless system is more efficient by design and requires much less maintenance than a traditional Brushed DC motor, so it is likely to be more durable and last for a longer period of time.
There are, of course, a myriad of unique factors to consider, when it comes to your conveyor design, and choosing the perfect motor to meet the needs of your conveyor belt application is a critical factor.
How Can Telco Expert Experience Help You?
With our in-house design and engineering services to ensure that your project is a success from start to finish. If you require assistance with everything from the initial design to confirming the final results with component testing, we are here for you. We have the experience, dedication, and passion to exceed expectations and ensure mutual success for ourselves and our valued clients.
