Conveyor/Sortation: Moving from a fixed path to a flexible future

Conveyor and sortation technologies have certainly not lacked innovation through the last century, and they will likely continue to serve an integral role in the evolution of materials handling going forward. You could argue the inputs of the last decade have altered the route of that evolution. The technologies veer toward smart solutions working closely and in real time with neighboring conveyor sections, equipment, people, product and systems of all kinds­­—while still striving for better productivity, reliability and efficiency.

Whether meeting food requirements like the distributor in our first story, bridging buildings like the manufacturer in the next, or shifting paradigms like the craft brewer in the last, each of these case histories foreshadows the future of conveyor and sortation systems. For operations of any size, this window into what’s coming is a welcome break from uncertainty and should lengthen the ability of each to establish a long view.

Food producer ensures sanitary conditions for new packaging line

Neighboring buildings connected by new automation and conveyor system

Brewery’s conversion to dry-running conveyor taps into savings