01
Optimise the complete process
A conveyor influences the performance of every machine it feeds. Begin with product flow, takt time, transfer conditions, inspection needs and buffer capacity rather than selecting a belt in isolation.
02
Match functions to bottlenecks
Pacing separates or closes product gaps. Backlighting supports vision inspection. Guided, pallet or positive-drive systems improve positioning. Accumulation protects upstream production when a downstream process pauses. Each function should answer a measured constraint in the line.
03
Keep improvement measurable
Record throughput, stops, reject causes, belt-tracking interventions and maintenance time before and after a change. Scheduled inspection and accessible components help preserve the gains after the initial automation project is complete.
Field checklist
Use flexibility to protect overall equipment effectiveness
Conveyor flexibility can improve availability and performance when it shortens changeovers, keeps product moving through brief downstream stops and makes maintenance access predictable. The useful measure is line-level output: a faster conveyor does not improve OEE when it simply moves the bottleneck to a merge, transfer or inspection station.
- Measure changeover and recovery time
- Size accumulation around real stop patterns
- Keep controls and interfaces consistent
- Track rejects and micro-stops alongside throughput