Aside from the construction of the conveyor mechanism itself, you will want to make sure your unit utilizes the correct type of motors for the load you are moving. They turn a sprocket on the drive pulley, so they provide power and speed to the conveyor.
The amount of horsepower needed will vary with each application, depending on your load and speed requirements. Most businesses run on 3phase AC power supplies, and there are three main types of 3 phase conveyor motors.
Fixed Speed Motors
As you may have guessed, a fixed speed motor rotates your pulley at a fixed rate. It’s a good option if you have little to no interest in speeding up or slowing down the conveyor.
Variable Speed Motors
The difference between a fixed speed and variable speed motor is the ability to easily adjust the speed of the conveyor.
Position Control Motors
The most complex of the three, position control motors give operators the ability to precisely control the belt, and have a much wider range of functions than the others. They are ideal for complex movements, or when precision in starting and stopping is essential.