The industrial environment is improving day by day, and every company or organization strives to increase productivity as much as they can with the help of technology.
Among many equipment, industries use conveyor systems to boost their productivity and product quality. It’s been years since conveyor systems have been introduced around the world.
However, with the advancing technology, these systems also had to undergo some changes to adapt to the competitive environment and increase efficiency.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the evolution of conveyor systems and how the latest technology has brought about a change in these systems.
Table of Contents
1. The Birth of Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems had their foundations in the 18th century when simple gadgets like pulleys were created to assist with moving materials in processing plants and mines.
The viability of these early conveyors was constrained by their heavy dependence on actual work.
Difficult work was replaced by mechanical conveyors driven by steam motors and, afterward, electric engines as the Industrial Revolution developed in the 19th century.
The ascent in the popularity of conveyor belts marked a defining moment towards more noteworthy efficiency and laid out the foundation for the improvement of conveyor systems.
2. The Industrial Revolution and Mechanical Conveyors
During the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, conveyor systems had a groundbreaking period. The improvement was driven by steam motors and electric engines, which supplanted difficult work with robust mechanical conveyors.
One of the primary advancements of this period was the belt conveyor, which made it conceivable to move greater merchandise flawlessly over longer distances.
This significant advancement prepared for the further development of conveyor innovation in the many years that followed. It was notably useful in upgrading modern activities in the mining and textile fields.
3. Assembly Lines and Roller Conveyors
With the advent of assembly line production in the mid-20th century, a worldview change happened, and conveyor systems were vital for this modern transformation.
Roller conveyors, which incorporate various unreservedly rotating rollers to empower smoother material transportation, have become significant developments.
Sequential construction systems came to address large-scale manufacturing in the vehicle business, which was extraordinarily affected by this turn of events.
In addition to expanding production efficiency, roller conveyors made the way for additional improvements in conveyor innovation in various areas.
4. The Post-War Era: Introduction of Automated Conveyor Systems
The post-World War II period saw a remarkable headway in the development of conveyor systems.
Moreover, the improvement of mechanized conveyor systems was ignited via computerization. Therefore, by using sensors and control instruments, these systems expanded general proficiency and diminished the requirement for physical work.
Since robotization decreased direct human contact with moving materials, it diminished security issues while additionally increasing efficiency.
This period flagged a considerable shift towards progressively complicated and innovative conveyor systems, preparing for additional advancements.
5. Computerization and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
In the latter half of the 20th century, we witnessed a fast expansion in computerization across industries.
Conveyor systems rushed to embrace these innovations, with the mix of technologies and the integration of programmable logic (PLCs) turning into a unique advantage.
PLCs considered exact control, checking, and synchronization of conveyor activities, empowering customization and adaptability in material handling cycles.
6. Introduction of Flexible Conveyors
As manufacturing processes developed, so did the requirement for versatile conveyor systems.
Adaptable conveyors arose as an answer, highlighting adjustable segments that could be extended or contracted in light of the particular necessities of a given task.
Consequently, this flexibility made them especially reasonable for dealing with different materials and shifting production needs.
7. The Rise of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) have been integrated into conveyor systems for the purpose of expanding robotization and efficiency. These versatile robots could move merchandise about a facility all alone and navigate without help from anyone else.
A dynamic and connected material handling network was made by the seamless integration of AGVs with conveyor systems.
8. Integration of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is defined as a machine or program that is capable of learning after being exposed to certain experiences.
In today’s world, a device that uses AI is currently the most advanced piece of equipment known to humans.
After implementing AI technology in conveyor systems, users have seen a various number of advantages. The two most beneficial advantages of AI that industries have gained are improvisation in productivity and communication.
For example, AI can detect any fault in mechanical functionality way before a human ever could, so when a machine is not working properly or isn’t working at all, the AI takes account of the downtimes and backlogs and redirects the production process.
Furthermore, AI keeps customers updated regarding every step of the delivery process, which increases their trust in business.
9. Eco-Friendly Conveyor Systems
Manufacturers are trying their best to make ecological improvements in conveyor system operations to comply with industry regulations.
Eco-friendly products are gaining popularity among customers, which leaves an impression on the internal process decisions undertaken by manufacturers.
In order to be more efficient than standard conveyors, environmental-friendly conveyors are being built from the ground up. Engineers often incorporate thinner belt designs to attain this balance.
Other eco-friendly approaches include automatic sleep controls, energy-saving motors, motor-driven rollers that use low energy, etc.
10. The Future: Industry 4.0 and Collaborative Robotics
Looking forward, the advancement of conveyor systems is supposed to line up with the standards of Industry 4.0, described by interconnected, shrewd manufacturing plants.
Cooperative advanced mechanics, where people and robots work next to each other, will turn out to be more pervasive in material dealing.
Conveyor systems will continue to play a central role in creating coordinated, versatile, and proficient creation conditions.
Bottomline
The journey of conveyor systems from customary manual setups to cutting-edge wonders reflects the steady quest for proficiency, efficiency, and safety in modern industries.
The coordination of cutting-edge innovations, like artificial intelligence, has changed conveyor systems into fundamental parts of smart, interconnected ecosystems.
As we keep on progressing into the period of Industry 4.0, the advancement of conveyor systems is ready to shape the fate of material handling and production.
