Key Factors To Consider While Choosing Gear Motors For Conveyors

Conveyors are one of the most commonly used solutions in material handling. Almost all powered conveyors require gearmotors to function. However, selecting a gear motor for this particular sector requires careful consideration. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind while choosing gear motors for conveyor systems.

How To Select A Gearmotor?

Load Capacity

This is defined as the maximum weight a conveyor can handle while working optimally. By determining the load capacity, other parameters of the gearmotor such as torque and gear ratios, are used.

Speed And Torque Considerations

The next important factors to consider are the operating speed of the conveyor and the torque required to overcome friction and the weight of the load on the conveyor. For more torque, higher gear ratios are preferred. For more speeds, lower gear ratios are ideal. Therefore, it is key to strike a balance between these features when selecting a gear motor.

Shock Load Handling

Some conveyors are prone to sudden starts and stops and even impacts. A gear motor not adapted to these changes can get significantly damaged over a period of time. Therefore, it is key to consider gearmotors that can withstand some shock loads without failing.

Space Constraints

This will vary according to the space occupied by the conveyor itself. For a more expansive operation, a large gear motor might be suitable. However, for compact applications, it is key to go for specialized gear motors, such as right-angle gear motors.

Environmental Factors

Conveyors can operate in different environmental conditions. Some might be subjected to more heat, others to humidity, and some might even be exposed to corrosive elements. Therefore, the gear motor must also be carefully selected by keeping these factors in mind.

Ease Of Maintenance

Lastly, it is important to consider the maintenance and serviceability of a gear motor. Since there is little to no scope of downtime in a material handling setting, gearmotors with easy maintenance protocols and low chances of repair are the best choice. Ideally, scheduled maintenance and diagnostic sessions must be conducted to eliminate any instances of downtime.

For more tips on how to select the right gear motor, reach out to us at Bauer GMC today. A proud supplier of Bauer gearmotors, we also have decades of technical expertise to back the state-of-the-art products. To learn more about our products, reach out to us today.