Slat Conveyor: A Chain Reaction | Conveyors Blog

All good things can be improved upon, which is something crafty girls like me know well. When I first started learning how to knit, I did a basic stitch and was very pleased with the outcome. However, the next time around I wanted more of a challenge and also wanted to create something more delicate then my first project. So I tried a new pattern that better suit my needs. This same sort of logic applied to many machines and techniques within the industrial setting. One example is conveyors, which have a multitude of styles because certain industries have different requirements, so variances in design are made and a new type of conveyor is born.

One example is chain conveyors, which have been around since conveyors first came onto the industrial scene. Horizontal chains that are set up parallel to one another are attached to mechanically run pulleys on each end of the conveyor structure as well as the framework. Objects are then able to be moved from point A to point B on top of the chains. This model has been modified to create the slat conveyor, which used the chain conveyor design as a starting off point to produce a whole new style for certain types of applications.

In essence, a slat conveyor has simply attached slats, or boards of metal or wood, onto the chain to create a more flat and sturdy surface. However, because they are made to fit onto the chains there is space in between each slat for drainage if that is necessary, which makes it a better choice then a belt conveyor if dripping products are being transported. Most conveyor manufacturers offer customized models of slat conveyors as well as other conveyor styles, altering the slat size, the number of chains and the overall size of the framework to perfectly suit the environment and the product needs.