The ABCs of Conveyor System Terminology

Your Comprehensive Guide to Conveyor Parts, Pieces and Procedures

In an effort to help our customers make more informed decisions and empower themselves when discovering which conveyor systems work best for their needs, we’ve compiled a comprehensive compendium of conveyor system terminology and definitions. Use this resource in your consumer journey and please let our team know if you have any additional questions. We’ll be glad to address all your concerns and be your partner as you endeavor to design and implement practical and effective conveyor system solutions. Knowledge is power and we thoroughly believe in giving our clients the information they need every step of the way.

Conveyor System Terminology

• Accumulating Conveyor – Conveyor system that facilitates the gathering of goods (roller, live roller, belt, and gravity conveyors, etc.).
• Alligator Lacing – Lacing that connects two ends of conveyor belts for continuous looping.
• Axle – Rod or shaft that holds wheels or gears and allows them to rotate.
• Backup Tube or Channel – Support and stabilizing mechanism for the conveyor frame running along the length of the system.
• Bag Flattener – Device that is positioned upside-down over a conveyor to help flatten products or containers traveling down it.
• Ball Transfer Table – Flatbed affixed with rows of balls to help flat items move down in a particular direction.
• Ball Transfer Mat – Elevated floor with walkable ball transfer for manual movement of heavy loads and pallets
• Bare Pulley – Pulley system with no covering on the surface of its face.
• Bearing – Machine component that holds shafts, axles, and pins and allows them to rotate.
• Bearing Mount – Assembly consisting of housing and threading to which bearings are attached. 
• Bed – Flat part of the conveyor system on which goods and pallets are placed for travel and processing.
• Belt – Band positioned on multiple pulleys that stretches to facilitate movement.
• Belt Scraper – Device designed to clean stuck-on material from a conveyor belt, usually a blade or brush.
• Booster Conveyor – Powered conveyor system used to increase elevation that is decreased on by non-powered systems, like gravity rollers.
• Brake Motor – Instrument used to cease motion of moving equipment when the power from the device by which it is moving is cut off.
• Bushing – Refers to a general bearing used for specific applications. 
• Bushing Retainer Clip – Clip used to hold bushing steady when cover is not available. 
• Butt Coupling – Components that connect conveyor sections.
• Castors – Wheel that is designed to be attached to the bottom of a larger object to enable that object to be moved.
• Ceiling Hangers – Steel rods used to hold conveyors in place from the ceiling to maximize floor space where floors are not able to house or support systems.
• Center Drive – Instrument placed underneath conveyor system to facilitate incline and reversal of direction.
• Chain Conveyor – Conveyor that functions through the use of one or more chains during operation.
• Chain Drive – Method of transmitting mechanical energy to wheels on the conveyor system consisting of a drive chain and sprockets.
• Chute – Compartment through which goods move by gravity onto either wheel or roller conveyor bed.
• Cleat – Devices that keep pallets and goods on a conveyor when they’re traveling on either a decline or incline, usually a separate unit attached to the existing conveyor bed.
• Cleated Belt – Belt with cleats that have elevated sections to keep units firmly in position when they’re traveling on a slope.
• Clutch Drive – Instrument that disconnects the motor from the reducer without having to stop it or cut power.
• Clutch-Drive Brake – Instrument that immediately halts conveyor movement while disconnecting motor from reducer without having to cut power.
• Coarse Pitch –  Roller center spacing of 37mm (1.458″) or 28 shafts per meter. 
• Constant Speed Drive – Type of transmission that requires constant speed input and is typically composed of a hydraulic transmission with mechanical controls.
• Cross-Bracing – A system of rods and turnbuckles used to reinforce the strength and integrity of a roller conveyor, situated diagonally for squaring frames.
• Crowned Pulley – Pulley system that tapers at both ends and dips in the middle for the purposes of assisting with belt tracking.
• Curve Conveyor – A wheel, roller, or belt conveyor that curves at certain sections to preserve the seamless flow of products and adapt to a warehouse’s spatial needs
• Decline Conveyor – Conveyor system on which pallets and products travel on a downward slope.
• Differential Curve – Split section of a curved conveyor consisting of multiple side-by-side roller rows.
• Discharge End – Point on a conveyor at which goods are removed for further processing.
• Diverging – Part of a wheel conveyor or roller conveyor at which objects travel in different directions for additional processing.
• Drive – Unit used to provide movement power for a conveyor. Parts generally include motor and reducer, chain, sprockets, and more.
• DriveMount – Housing assembly for motor and power-transmission components of a conveyor.
• Drive Pulley – Pulley attached to the drive shaft that sends power to the corresponding belt.
• Emergency Pull Cord – Cord that runs alongside the conveyor system that can be deployed to stop the conveyor for emergencies and malfunctions.
• Emergency Stop Switch – Electronic mechanism used to cease the function of a conveyor in emergency situations.
• Extendable Conveyor – Conveyor affixed with wheels or rollers whose length can be adjusted up to 40 feet.
• Feeder – Conveyor system modified for an adjustable-rate of product delivery.
• Flapper Gate – Plate used to selectively direct materials on a conveyor system.
• Flat Face Pulley – Pulley with a cylindrical drum for a face.
• Floor Supports – Stabilizing mechanisms that vertically adjust to level conveyor systems.
• Frame – Assembly that supports mechanical components of a conveyor system.
• Frame Spacer – Cross joints that are used to appropriately separate frame rails.
• Gate – Part of the conveyor system that provides an opening for human operators to pass through.
• Gearmotor – Device that converts electrical energy to mechanical through the gearbox at a slower speed.
• Gravity Bracket – Brackets that allow gravity conveyors to attach to powered conveyors.
• Gravity Conveyor – Non-powered conveyor system that moves inventory by the use of gravity.
• Guard Rail – Barriers that run along the length of a conveyor system to prevent obstruction and impact.
• Hog Rings – Circular mechanisms that hold a shaft inside a roller.
• Horizontal Floor Space – The amount of space needed to house and store a conveyor system.
• Horsepower – (HP) A measure of the time rate of doing work defined as the equivalent of raising 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute. Electrically, one horsepower is 746 watts.
• Inclined Conveyor – System that is positioned on an upward slope for transporting and processing goods.
• Infeed End – The side of the conveyor that is nearest to the loading point.
• Intermediate Bed – Center part of the conveyor system that doesn’t contain assemblies or any mechanical parts.
• Knee Braces – Braces positioned at an angle against other structural support mechanisms for vertical conveyor stabilization.
• Knurl Thumb Adjustable Nut – Nut that adjusts the pressure on accumulating conveyors.
• Lacing – Material used to attach both ends of a belt segment.
• Lagged Pulley – Pulley with material on its face for greater friction against the belt component.
• Lift and Transfer – Device for moving products laterally between conveyor lanes or systems. 
• Limit Switch – Electronic device used to detect the location of products in a fulfillment center or warehouse.
• Limit Roller Conveyor – Powered rollers used to move products and cartons.
• Machine Crowned Pulley – Pulley with a mechanically produced or machine-generated crown or vertex.
• Magnetic Starter – Starting mechanism that also controls and protects the motor on a conveyor.
• Manual Start Switch – Non-powered switch that turns the conveyor on and off.
• Minimum Pressure Accumulating Conveyor – Conveyor system designed to minimize pressure between packages and cartons.
• Negative Crowned Pulley – Pulley with crown used to pull tail pulleys or assist in belt tracking.
• NIP Point Guard – Guard used to minimize the risk of injury in high-risk parts of a conveyor.
• Nose Roller – Roller used on powered belt curve conveyors to minimize gaps at transfer areas.
• Noseover – Area of a conveyor with rollers to assist in the transition between inclined and straight areas.
• O-Ring – Circular bands used to transmit drive power between spools and rollers on a conveyor.
• Overhead Drive – Unit that’s positioned over a conveyor that provides clearance and space for products moving on it.
• Package Flow Conveyor – Conveyor system mounted in racking in either wheel bed or roller configuration
• Package Stop – Device used to stop the flow of packages on a conveyor belt.
• Pallet Flow Conveyor – Conveyor designed specifically to flow pallets, containers, and heavy loads typically in a rack
• Parts Conveyor – Conveyor system used to catch and gather smaller parts and debris away from the production areas in a warehouse.
• Photo Eye – Sensor used to detect the presence of a load on a conveyor system
• Pivot Plate – Material attached to the legs of a conveyor system for support.
• Plastisol Coating – PVC coating for conveyor roller tubes to protect against scratches, dents, and other marks.
• PLC – Programmable logic controller used to automate conveyors and program a sequence, or operation of single or multiple conveyors
• Plow – Mechanism that sits angled at the end of a conveyor to catch and deflect errant objects.
• Poly-Tier Support – Vertically adjustable, support structures that can handle the load and weight of multi-tiered conveyor systems.
• Pop-Out Roller – Intuitive roller attached to the ends of a belt conveyor that can identify and eject unwanted items that come too close to the belt.
• Portable Conveyor – Transportable conveyor with supports that enable maneuverability.
• Portable Support – Support mechanisms for portable conveyors that enable them to be moved on castors and wheels.
• Positive Crowned Pulley – Pulley that inverts at both ends toward the middle of a conveyor and assists in belt tracking.
• Power Belt Curve – Curve conveyor guided by tapered pulleys that use a belt.
• Power Conveyor – Conveyor system that requires power to operate and move packages.
• Powered Feeder – Powered part of a conveyor that moves the product from a horizontal position to an incline position.
• Pressure Roller – Roller that holds that driving belt to the rollers carrying loads and cartons on a conveyor line.
• Product Footprint – Part of the product touches any part of the conveyor, including wheels, belts, or rollers.
• Push-Button Station – An electrical mechanism that triggers and operates a magnetic starter.
• Pusher – Air-powered device used for moving products between conveyor lines and chutes.
• Return Idler – Roller that supports the belt return on a conveyor.
• Reversible – Conveyor system that’s designed to be able to move cartons and products in any direction.
• Roller – Mechanism attached to conveyor beds that allow products to flow either by power or through gravity.
• Roller Bed – Flat part of the conveyor equipped with wheels and rollers on which products rest and are transported either through power or gravity.
• Roller Center – The amount of space between the centers or two rollers on a conveyor bed measured axle center to axle center.
• Roller Conveyor – Conveyors system made of rollers that sit on beds along which cartons and products flow either by power or by gravity.
• Set High – Vertical spacing that lets rollers be attached above frame rails.
• Set Low – Vertical spacing allows rollers to be mounted below the top of frame rails.
• Shaft – Rigid bar that houses and supports rotating parts like wheels or rollers.
• Sheave – Grooved pulley that’s designed for carrying a v-belt.
• Side Channels – Structures that are designed to support side rollers of a conveyor.
• Side-Mounted Drive – Assembly attached to the side of a conveyor generally for minimum elevations.
• Side Tables – Tables mounted to the side of a conveyor to provide a safe and efficient work surface for operators.
• Singulation Mode – Process of conveyor movement that allows automatic separation of products traveling down a conveyor.
• Skate Wheel Conveyor – Conveyor system consisting of skate wheels attached to axles, shafts, or bars spaced equally apart. Commonly used for gravity flow.
• Skewed Roller Shaft – Special rollers that allow products to skew to one side of a conveyor system. 
• Slat Conveyor – Conveyor system with slates attached to a roller chain to move cartons and inventory.
• Slider Bed – Flat, still surface on which conveyor belts move and transport product.
• Sortation Conveyor – Conveyor system that can sort different cartons and inventory at designated takeaway lines.
• Speed Reducer – Device on a conveyor that regulates speed to be less than the speed of the prime moving mechanism.
• Spool Conveyor – Conveyor in which spools drive O-rings to power rollers and move product.
• Spring-Loaded Axle – Roller conveyor axle that allows the roller to be removed from the conveyor without disassembly
• Spur – Designated area of conveyor where operators can switch unit loads.
• Support – Any arrangement of roads, axles, or shafts configured to stabilize and hold the weight of the conveyor system.
• Switch – Any mechanism that can regulate, stop, and start power to a conveyor system.
• Tail End – Loading point of any conveyor system.
• Tail Pulley – Pulley system situated at the tail end of a conveyor system to return the belt.
• Take-Up – Mechanical structure to facilitate the adjustment of length of belts and chains to account for variables like shrinkage, stretch, wear, and tear.
• Tracking – Operation of conveyor belt to steer it in a specific direction.
• Traffic Cop – Device that used to prevent unwanted impact of cartons as they’re loaded onto conveyor systems.
• Trash Conveyor – Conveyor system used to process and transport empty boxes after they’ve been unloaded.
• Treadplates – Plates that fill gaps between rollers on conveyors.
• Tripod Support – Three-legged stand used to support small roller and skate wheel conveyors.
• Troughed Bed – Belt conveyor with deep divot used for processing recyclable materials, like glass, metal, debris wood, and more.
• Turnbuckle – Mechanism with a screw thread at either end used for tightening the rod.
• Turning Wheel – Wheel attached to adjustable turning bracket to help provide proper package positioning.
• Turntable – Rotating bed used for transferring packages from one conveyor system to another.
• Two-Pulley Hitch – Designated area of a conveyor system for moving product from horizontal positioning to incline.
• Underside Bed Cover – Piece of metal used to protect the underside of a conveyor system.
• Undertrussing – Structural framework used for supporting conveyor the weight of a conveyor.
• Variable Speed – Power-transmission device that provides speed-changing capabilities.
• V-Belt – Belt used to transmit power from a primary source, like a motor, to a secondary driven unit.
• Zero-Pressure Accumulating Conveyor – Conveyor system designed to completely eliminate pressure between closely positioned products.

Procedures, Practices and Protocols

• Bed Length – Measurement of how long or deep a particular conveyor bed section is.
• Bed Width – Measurement of how wide a particular section of conveyor bed is.
• Belt-Speed – How much belt passes a given point in a certain period of time measured in feet per minute.
• Between-Rail Width – The amount of space between frame rails on a conveyor system.
• Converging – A point on a wheel roller conveyor at which two conveyors connect and become one.
• Degree of Incline – The amount of which a conveyor system slopes upward.
• FPM – Abbreviation for “feet per minute”.
• HZ – Unit of frequency used to measure one cycle per second.
• Inclined Conveyor Length – Length of elevation change from infeed to discharge versus the degree of incline.
• Indexing – Separating a designated amount of products from a group with a singulation-specific indexer conveyor. 
• Interpolate – The acting of calculating intermediate measurements.
• Line Pressure – How much pressure a conveyor uses to move the product being conveyed.
• Overall Length (OAL) – Term used to describe the length of a conveyor from one exterior pulley to the other.
• Overall Width (OAW) – Measurement used to quantify width of conveyor between exterior of frame rails.
• Throughput – Amount of product or inventory processed through a warehouse conveyor system.
• Total Load – Weight distribution over the entire length of the conveyor system.
• Degree of Incline – The amount of which a conveyor system slopes upward.

To understand more about conveyor systems, and how they can help your warehouse, contact the professionals at WOI today. With our 5 Step Total Satisfaction Experience™ you are guaranteed that we listen and execute your project 1. paying special attention to your particular application, 2. review your application with you, 3. project timelines and installation, 4. safety analysis, and 5. appearance of the finished product. We will walk you through each stage of the process and offer expert customer service and peace of mind. Contact a member of our team today and chat, Zoom, or call us at (865) 540-4004 for a prompt response. We proudly serve customers in Tennessee, Alabama, and throughout the Southeast.