A Transfer Conveyor is a type of conveyor system that is designed to move materials from one point to another. These systems are typically used in industrial and manufacturing settings, but can also be used in other environments such as warehouses and distribution centers. Transfer Conveyors are often used to move materials from one conveyor belt to another, or to move materials from one line of production to another.
Dynamic Routing: Capable of dynamically transferring goods from a main line to a designated branch line, or between different parallel lines, based on commands from the control system (e.g., triggered by barcode or RFID scanning).
Precise Positioning: Achieves millimeter-level precise positioning of goods through servo motors, encoders, photoelectric sensors, etc., ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the transfer operation.
Flexible Layout: Can be flexibly arranged at intersections or branch points of conveyor lines according to process requirements, easily enabling complex path planning such as 90-degree, 180-degree, or multi-directional diversion.
Modular Design: Typically designed as standard modules, making them easy to integrate into existing production lines and convenient for future system expansion or modification.
Seamless Integration: As an automated unit, it can be easily integrated with higher-level systems like PLC, MES, and WMS, receiving real-time instructions to achieve unmanned operation.
Intelligent Decision-Making: Automatically determines the destination of each item based on preset logic or dynamic commands. This is key to enabling "goods-to-person" picking and flexible assembly.
Rapid Action: Transfer actions (lifting, traversing, lowering/rotating) are quick, with short cycle times, meeting the demands of high-tempo production or sorting.
Continuous Operation: While transferring one item, the main line conveyance usually does not need to stop, ensuring the continuity and high throughput of the overall logistics flow.
Stable and Reliable: Utilizes robust mechanical structures and high-quality actuating components (such as servo motors and linear guides) to ensure long-term, stable operation.
Depending on the characteristics of the goods and specific needs, there are several mainstream transfer types, each with distinct features:
Shuttle Car Type: Travels back and forth on rails, offering the strongest load capacity. Suitable for transferring pallets or heavy-duty containers across lines.
Lifting Transfer Type: Lifts the goods off the original conveyor line via a lifting mechanism, then transfers them horizontally to the target line via a traverse mechanism. Offers strong adaptability to various item bottom surfaces and is the most widely used.
Lifting and Traversing Type: Moves the entire load.
Lifting and Rotating Type: Can perform 90° or 180° turns.
Belt/Roller Transfer Type: Uses its own power to push or pull goods sideways. Features a compact structure and high speed, suitable for cartons and parcels.
Robot Transfer Type: Uses industrial robots (such as six-axis or SCARA robots) to grasp and transfer goods. Offers the highest flexibility, capable of handling irregularly shaped items or those requiring reorientation.
By enabling horizontal transfers overhead or underground, it can effectively connect multi-level or multi-zone conveyor lines, reducing complex intersections at ground level and optimizing spatial layout.
Logistics Sorting Centers: At the infeed or diverter points for cross-belt sorters handling express parcels and e-commerce orders.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): For interfacing between the inbound/outbound points and the conveyor network.
Automotive and Appliance Manufacturing: For transferring car bodies, components, etc., between different assembly lines or workstations.
Tire, Food, and Pharmaceutical Industries: For path allocation and sequencing before packaging lines or palletizing lines.
The core characteristic of a transfer conveyor lies in its "mobility" — dynamic path selection, automated execution, and flexible layout. It is the core enabling equipment that upgrades fixed, rigid conveyor lines into a flexible, intelligent logistics network. Through precise "handling" and "decision-making," it significantly enhances the automation level and efficiency of the entire material handling system. Key considerations for selection include item characteristics (size, weight, bottom surface), flow rate requirements, system control interface, and site layout.
