Guide : The different overhead conveyors

The practical guide to choosing the right overhead conveyor

The optimization of production flows and logistics processes has become a strategic priority for all sectors. Companies are seeking continuous improvement of their operational efficiency despite increasing constraints:

Cost per square meter
Requirement for short delivery times
Difficulty in recruiting skilled labor
Increase in operating costs

To meet these challenges, companies favor compact and modular systems that ensure maximum efficiency and flexibility. Overhead conveyors represent an ideal solution because they free up floor space and provide continuous supply of goods. Their high adaptability allows them to be integrated into various industrial environments, from automotive to e-commerce and food processing.

Transitic offers you this comprehensive guide on the different types of overhead conveyors. You will find all the necessary information to help you choose the conveyor solution best suited to your needs.

01. An overhead conveyor for every need

Overhead conveyors come in a wide range of configurations, each tailored to the specific needs of different industries, whether it’s automotive production, food processing, e-commerce, or fashion.

Some advanced systems, such as the Pocket Sorter, combine multiple features, including sorting and buffering of items before shipment. Whether manual or automated, overhead conveyors reduce operator movement, increase storage density, and lower operating costs.

02. Why choose an overhead conveyor?

Respect for goods

There are conveyors suited for every type of product, even the most bulky. In the fashion industry, handling garments individually on hangers prevents piling. In the automotive sector, overhead conveyors allow piece-by-piece intervention on the production line.

Compact and scalable

By utilizing vertical space, overhead conveyors free up floor space, thereby facilitating the movement of carts and operators. Their modular design allows for easy addition of extra sections in case of increased activity.

Rapid response to change

When automated, overhead conveyors can adjust their speed and sorting sequences based on priorities set by the WCS.

Monitoring and control

Connected to warehouse management software, overhead conveyors enable real-time performance data collection and can be configured to meet set objectives.

Intuitive solution

Thanks to their simplified design and unified structure, the network can be easily expanded. Additionally, they are intuitive for operators to handle.

Durability and maintenance

Their proven technology minimizes maintenance needs, thereby extending the system’s lifespan.

The performance of an overhead conveyor can vary radically depending on its function and the type of item being handled. A conveyor used in the fashion industry may be able to handle several thousand garments per hour continuously, whereas in the automotive industry it will be configured in a step-by-step manner to adapt to the speed of the production line.

03. Manual overhead conveyors

Gravity conveyor

This is a cost-effective solution that requires very little maintenance. Particularly appreciated in multi-level warehouses, it relies on gravity: items are moved by their own weight without the need for motorization. They can also be installed on straight lines using a slight incline.

Trolley conveyor

The trolley conveyor is a transport system made up of individual or linked mobile transport devices that travel along the suspended rail.

Trolleys can vary in size, shape, and capacity depending on their use, and are generally equipped with bars (for hanging items such as hangers), hooks, trays, or other devices to support loads. These conveyors can be manually operated but can also be motorized if needed.

Trolley conveyors are often used in industries such as automotive, food processing, and manufacturing, where efficient transport of materials or products is required.

04. Automated overhead conveyors

Clip conveyor

It is very commonly found in the clothing industry. It can handle up to 25,000 items per hour. Its main advantage lies in its hanger transport system, which handles items individually and allows accumulation without pressure. Different clips are available depending on the thickness of the items to be processed and the need for accumulation.

Ladder conveyor

Highly suited for high-throughput operations (60,000 items per hour), it enables reliable and continuous transport of items both horizontally and vertically. If needed, it can also be used to group items into batches.

Pin conveyor

The pin conveyor is often used for unloading and creating a link between two types of conveyor systems. It can handle changes in elevation across both horizontal and vertical sections and can also process up to 60,000 items per hour.

Pocket Sorter

Also known as a pocket conveyor, it is an automated system that gathers, transports, sorts, and sequences bulk items. These items are placed in pockets suspended on hangers. The articles then arrive at workstations in a precise order to be packaged. It is designed to handle small to medium-sized items and accessories and is especially popular in the e-commerce sector.

Its main advantages are as follows:

Reduction of operator handling
Fewer picking errors
Optimization of order returns
Low maintenance
Adaptation of flows and sequencing
Omnichannel & individualized handling of items
Compact, modular, and scalable system
Comprehensive system supervision

Learn more about the Pocket Sorter

Gondola Conveyor

Most often operating in a monorail circuit, it can be composed of slings, hooks, or stainless steel cables. It is used for transporting light loads, such as empty carton removal, or in the food processing industry.

Watch the Gondola Conveyor video

How SMCP multiplied its productivity by 4

Installed systems:

GoH system in a 10,000 m² warehouse with clip conveyor and integrated tracking system
Mezzanine with static shelving
Gravity conveyor

Read the full business case

Video Transitic x SMCP

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