Abrasion Resistance: A belt or component’s ability to resist surface wear from friction and material contact.

Accelerometer: A sensor that measures acceleration and vibration in conveyor components, used to catch developing mechanical problems.

Accumulating Conveyor: A conveyor built to hold product in a queue — on rollers, live rollers, belts, or gravity sections — instead of moving it straight through.

Adhesive Wear: Wear caused when two contacting surfaces bond and transfer material between them.

Adjustable Speed Drive: A drive that lets belt speed be changed to match the job, instead of running at one fixed speed.

Air Knife A device that directs a high-velocity stream of compressed air across the belt to blow off residual material and carryback, keeping the return run clean.

Alignment: Setting conveyor components — pulleys, idlers, frames — square and true so the belt runs straight without binding or wandering.

Alignment Sensor: A sensor that detects when the belt drifts out of alignment and signals the condition.

Alligator Lacing: A hammer-driven mechanical belt fastener — metal plates with teeth that bite into each belt end — joined by a hinge pin to close the loop.

Analysis Software: Software that reviews data from conveyor sensors to spot trends and developing problems before they cause a breakdown.

Anti-Seize Compound: A lubricant applied to fasteners and fittings to keep them from seizing or corroding, so they can still be removed later.

Arc Flash: A dangerous electrical discharge or explosion that can occur during electrical work, which is why conveyor electrical maintenance follows strict lockout and PPE procedures.

Area Classification: Rating zones of a conveyor system by the risk of explosive or hazardous atmospheres, so the right equipment and procedures are used in each one.

Asset Management: Tracking and maintaining conveyor assets and components over their service life to extend equipment life and keep the line running efficiently.

Asset Registry Management: Organizing and tracking conveyor system components in a CMMS, including specifications, installation dates, and maintenance history for each asset.

Audit Trail and Accountability: A time-stamped record, kept by a CMMS, of the changes, activities, and transactions logged against a conveyor system’s maintenance history.

Automatic Lubrication System: A system that dispenses lubricant to conveyor components on a set schedule, cutting friction and wear without someone greasing fittings by hand.

Automation Replacing manual control of a conveyor with programmable control — PLCs, sensors, drives and an HMI handling start/stop, routing, speed and diagnostics without an operator at the controls.

Axle: A fixed shaft that wheels or rollers turn on.

Back Pressure: The resistance exerted against a package, or a line of packages, that slows or stops its forward motion.

Backstop: A mechanical or electrical device that stops a conveyor belt from running backward — mainly on inclines — if power is cut.

Backup Rollers: Rollers mounted behind the main idlers to give the belt extra support.

Backup Tube or Channel: A tube or channel that runs the length of the conveyor frame to brace it and keep it rigid.

Bag Flattener: A mounting arrangement that inverts one conveyor over another to flatten or compress bagged product passing between them.

Ball Table: Another name for a Ball Transfer Table — see that entry.

Ball Transfer: A free-rolling ball, held in a socket by a ring of smaller support balls, that lets a flat object roll across it in any direction.

Ball Transfer Mat: A raised floor panel fitted with walkable ball transfers, used to move heavy loads and pallets by hand.

Ball Transfer Table A flat bed fitted with rows of ball transfers, letting flat-bottomed items be pushed and turned in any direction across the surface by hand.

Bare Pulley: A pulley with no lagging or other surface covering — just the bare face.

Bearing: A component that supports a shaft, axle, or pin while letting it turn freely.

Bearing Lubrication: Applying lubricant to bearings to cut friction and keep them running smoothly.

Bearing Mount: The housing and fasteners that hold a bearing in place on the conveyor frame.

Bearing Replacement: Removing and replacing a worn bearing before it fails and damages other components.

Bed: The surface of a conveyor that the load rests or slides on while being moved.

Bed Length: The total length of bed sections that make up a conveyor, not counting the pulleys and end components.

Bed Width: The width of a conveyor’s bed section, which sets how wide a load it can carry.

Belt: A flexible loop of material that runs around two or more pulleys, carrying motion, power, or product from one point to another.

Belt Cleaner: A device that removes material residue from the belt surface to keep it from building up.

Belt Scraper: A blade or brush held against the moving belt to scrape off material stuck to its surface.

Belt Speed: The rate at which the belt moves past a fixed point, usually measured in feet per minute.

Belt Splicing: Joining the two ends of a belt into a closed loop, using either vulcanization or mechanical fasteners.

Belt Tracking: Keeping the belt running centered on its pulleys and idlers instead of drifting to one side.

Between-Rail Width: The clear distance between a conveyor’s frame rails, which sets how wide a load the frame can carry.

Bolt Torque: The rotational force applied to a bolt when it’s tightened, set precisely enough to keep it from working loose in service.

Booster Conveyor: A short powered conveyor section used to regain elevation lost along a gravity roller or wheel line.

Brake Motor: A motor fitted with a brake between the motor and reducer that engages automatically if power is lost.

Brake Rollers: Air- or mechanically operated brakes mounted beneath a roller conveyor to slow or stop packages.

Bucket Elevator: A conveyor that carries bulk material straight up using a chain or belt fitted with buckets.

Bulk Material Handling: Moving loose materials — grain, aggregate, ore, and similar products — on conveyors rather than as discrete units.

Bushing: A general term for a simple sleeve bearing used in specific conveyor applications.

Bushing Retainer Clip: A clip that holds a bushing in place where no cover is used to retain it.

Butt Coupling: A fitting that joins two conveyor sections end to end into one continuous line.

Carryback: Material that sticks to the belt past the discharge point and travels back along the return run, where belt cleaners remove it.

Caster: A wheel mounted in a fork, rigid or swivel, fitted to conveyor legs and portable frames so the unit can be repositioned. Also spelled castor.

Catenary Load The tension produced in a belt or chain by the weight of the freely hanging section between supports, most often on the return run.

Catenary Sag: The sag or curve of a belt or chain’s unsupported span between two points.

Ceiling Hangers: Steel rods hung from the ceiling to support a conveyor, used to save floor space or where the floor can’t carry the load.

Center Drive: A drive assembly typically located beneath, often at the center of the conveyor, but adaptable to various positions in the conveyor length. Commonly used in applications involving reversing or incline movement.

Chain: A series of linked elements, pivoting at each joint, used to convey material or transmit motion and power.

Chain Conveyor: A conveyor driven or carried by one or more chains.

Chain Drive: A chain-and-sprocket mechanism that transmits power to conveyor wheels.

Chain Guard: A cover that shields drive or conveyor chains to keep hands and clothing away from the moving chain.

Chain Roller Conveyor: A conveyor featuring tread rollers with attached sprockets, driven by a chain.

Chute: A channel that guides material from one conveyor to another, or to its final destination.

Clamshell Gate: A hinged, two-leaf gate built into a conveyor or chute that opens and closes to control material flow.

Cleaning System: Brushes, scrapers, or similar equipment used to keep conveyor components clear of material build-up.

Cleat Height: The vertical measurement of raised portions (cleats) on a conveyor belt.

Cleated Belt: A belt fitted with raised cleats that hold product in place as it travels up or down a slope.

Cleated Belt Conveyor: A conveyor using a belt with evenly spaced raised cleats, molded in or attached separately, to keep material from sliding back on an incline.

Cleats: A raised attachment on a conveying surface that pushes, supports, holds back, or trips material as it moves along.

Clipper Lacing A hook-type mechanical belt fastener. Rows of wire hooks are driven into both belt ends with a Clipper lacer, then joined by a hinge pin to form a hinged splice that can be opened again for belt removal.

Closed Conveyor System: A conveyor system enclosed within a structure.

Clutch Drive: A drive that lets the motor be disconnected from the reducer without stopping the motor or cutting power.

Clutch-Drive Brake: A drive that both disconnects the motor from the reducer and brings the conveyor to an immediate stop, without stopping the motor or cutting power.

CMMS: Abbreviation for Computerized Maintenance Management System, software that facilities and maintenance managers use to organize, track, and schedule maintenance work.

Coarse Pitch: The roller center spacing, measuring 37mm (1.458 in.), or about 27 shafts per meter (1000mm ÷ 37mm).

Coasting Distance: The distance a conveyor system continues to move after the power is turned off.

Collapsible Conveyor: A flexible and expandable conveyor system.

Constant Speed Drive A conveyor drive that runs the belt or chain at one fixed speed, with no provision for varying it — the counterpart to an adjustable speed drive.

Continuous Miner: A mining machine that cuts material from the working face and feeds it directly onto a built-in conveyor.

Continuous Weighing: Weighing material on a conveyor belt continuously, in real time, rather than as discrete batches.

Control Panel: The enclosure housing the switches, relays, and controls that run and monitor a conveyor system.

Controlled Flow Conveyor An enclosed drag or chain conveyor that moves bulk material en masse at a metered, uniform rate, so discharge stays steady regardless of how unevenly the material is fed in.

Converging: The section on a roller or wheel conveyor where two separate lines meet and combine into one path.

Conveying Surface: The surface of a conveyor — flat or contoured — that carries the load.

Conveyor Belt: A continuous moving band of fabric, rubber, or metal that carries material or objects from one point to another.

Conveyor Belt Scale: A system built into a conveyor to weigh material as it moves across the belt.

Conveyor Diverter Valve: A mechanism designed to redirect material flow from one conveyor path to another.

Conveyor Frame: The structural frame that supports the belt, rollers, and other conveyor components.

Conveyor Guarding: Barriers and guards placed around a conveyor to keep hands, clothing, and tools away from moving parts.

Conveyor Idler: A roller, or set of rollers, that supports and guides the belt between the head and tail pulleys.

Conveyor Impact Bed: A cushioned bed section, placed under the load point, that absorbs the impact of material dropping onto the belt.

Conveyor Merge: The point where two conveyor paths join into one — see Converging.

Conveyor Pulley: A rotating drum that supports, drives, or guides the belt.

Conveyor Skid Plate: A protective plate situated on the underside of the conveyor belt to minimize friction and wear.

Conveyor Skirt Board: A protective barrier along the sides of the conveyor belt to prevent material spillage.

Conveyor Transition: The section where the conveyor belt shifts from a flat profile to a troughed profile.

Conveyor Trough: The channel-shaped enclosure housing the conveyor belt.

Conveyor Walkway: An elevated walkway for maintenance personnel along the conveyor’s length.

Cooling Conveyor: A conveyor designed to cool material as it’s transported, often with built-in airflow or water spray.

Corrugated Belt: A conveyor belt featuring a corrugated profile for enhanced flexibility and improved material containment.

Counter-Current Conveyor A conveyor on which a second stream, usually cooling or drying air, is directed against the direction of material travel, so the coolest air meets the hottest product. Used in coolers and dryers where heat transfer matters as much as transport.

Counter-Rotating: Conveyors with opposing rotational directions.

Counter-Weight Take-Up: A take-up that uses a hanging counterweight to hold proper belt tension.

Counterweight A weight hung on a gravity take-up to hold constant tension in the belt. It absorbs belt stretch and maintains slack-side tension; it does not balance the conveyed load.

Cross Belt Magnet: A device used for removing ferrous materials from the conveyor belt.

Cross-Bracing: Diagonal rods and turnbuckles run across a roller bed or live roller conveyor to keep the frame square, which keeps the belt tracking straight.

Crossover: A short conveyor section inserted at the point where the drive moves to the opposite side of the line. Not to be confused with a crossover structure — a stair or bridge that lets personnel step safely over a conveyor.

Crowned Pulley: A pulley with a slightly larger diameter at the center than at the edges, tapering evenly toward each end. The high point at the center keeps the belt riding toward the middle, which helps it track straight. Also called a positive crown; see Negative Crowned Pulley for the reverse profile used on wider pulleys.

Crowning: The deliberate shaping of a pulley’s face — by hand grinding, by a tapered lagging wrap, or by precision machining on computer-controlled equipment — to produce the crown that keeps the belt tracking straight.

Curve Conveyor: A wheel, roller, or belt conveyor built with a curved section to change direction without breaking product flow.

Cutting Blade: A tool essential for belt splicing or repair.

Cycle Time: The duration for a complete cycle of conveyor operation.

Cyclical Loading: The repetitive loading and unloading of materials on the conveyor.

Damping System: Components that damp out vibration and oscillation in a conveyor system.

Dead Plate A fixed, non-driven plate that bridges the gap between two conveyors, or between a conveyor and a machine, so product slides across the transfer point. Product stalling on a dead plate is a fault to correct, not the plate’s purpose.

Decline Conveyor: A conveyor system where pallets and products travel on a downward slope.

Deflection Drum: A drum used to change the direction the belt travels.

Degree of Incline: The angle at which a conveyor system slopes upward.

Detachable Chain Link: A chain link designed for easy detachment during maintenance or replacement.

Differential Curve: A segmented section of a curved conveyor featuring multiple side-by-side roller rows.

Discharge Chute: A designed channel for materials to exit the conveyor.

Discharge End: The location on a conveyor where goods are removed for further processing.

Diverter: A mechanism redirecting materials from one conveyor path to another.

Diverter Gate: A gate or flap controlling the flow of materials on the conveyor.

Diverting Conveyor: A conveyor system used to move products to different areas for sorting or processing.

Document Control and Compliance: Managing conveyor maintenance documentation — manuals, procedures, and compliance records — in a CMMS so maintenance activity stays aligned with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Double Pitch Roller Chain: A roller chain type with longer pitch links.

Doughnut Rollers: Circular rollers with a central opening supporting and guiding the conveyor belt.

Drag Chain Conveyor: A conveyor where the open links of a chain drag material along the bottom of a housing.

Drip Pan Conveyor: A conveyor with a built-in drip pan to catch and contain liquid spillage.

Drive: A unit used to provide movement power for a conveyor. Parts generally include motor and reducer, chain, sprockets, and more.

Drive Alignment: Aligning the drive pulley squarely with the rest of the conveyor’s components.

Drive Chain: The mechanical link transmitting power in chain-driven conveyor systems.

Drive Pulley: The pulley responsible for transmitting power to the conveyor belt.

Drive Unit: The motorized component propelling the conveyor belt.

Drive Unit Tensioner: A device maintaining proper tension in the conveyor belt.

Dust Collection System: Equipment capturing and removing dust generated during conveyor operations.

Dutchman: A short section of belt with lacing in a conveyor belt, removable when take-up provision has been exceeded.

Dynamic Braking System A braking method that runs the drive motor as a generator during deceleration and dissipates the recovered energy in resistors or returns it to the line, slowing the conveyor without mechanical friction.

Dynamic Impact Bed: Another name for a Conveyor Impact Bed — see that entry.

Dynamic Load: The varying load on the conveyor system during operation.

Dynamic Start/Stop Control: A control system managing the gradual starting and stopping of the conveyor.

Dynamic Weighing System: Another name for Continuous Weighing — see that entry.

Eccentricity Degree: The extent of deviation of a pulley’s center from its true axis.

Electronic Zero-Pressure Logic (EZLogic): Hytrol’s electronic control for zero-pressure accumulation conveyor, which holds cartons in individual zones without letting them touch. Commonly written EZLogic.

Emergency Activation Cord: A specially coated cord running parallel to the conveyor system, deployable in emergencies to swiftly halt conveyor operations, often paired with an Emergency Stop Switch. Also called an emergency pull cord.

Emergency Halt Mechanism: A general term for any control — such as an Emergency Shutdown (Stop) Switch or Emergency Activation Cord — that stops a conveyor immediately in an emergency.

Emergency Shutdown (Stop) Switch: An electrical switch placed to cut off conveyor power immediately in an emergency, typically used alongside an Emergency Activation Cord.

End Pulley The pulley at either end of a conveyor. At the discharge end it is the head pulley; at the loading end, the tail pulley.

End-Drive Conveyor System: A conveyor configuration with the drive unit situated at one end.

Endless Splice: Joining the two ends of a belt into one unbroken loop — typically by vulcanizing them — without mechanical fasteners. The joint calls for skilled installation and periodic inspection.

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM): A strategy for managing physical assets over their full lifecycle — covering use, cost, quality, safety, and environmental impact — rather than just day-to-day maintenance.

Ergonomics: The field of study dedicated to designing conveyor systems and workspaces to improve worker safety, comfort, and efficiency.

Excess Wear Wear that has passed the allowable limit for a component — chain elongated beyond its wear limit, lagging worn below minimum thickness, a roller shell worn through — at which point the part is replaced rather than monitored.

Expansion Joint: A flexible connection between conveyor sections to accommodate thermal expansion.

Extendable Conveyor A roller or wheel conveyor that can be lengthened or shortened within limits to suit the job, commonly used at a loading dock to reach into a trailer.

External Wear Liner: A protective layer or coating applied to conveyor components that are exposed to external wear.

Eyebolt: A bolt featuring a looped head, designed for lifting or attaching components within the conveyor system.

Eyelet Linkage (Splice): A belt splice made by punching eyelets near each belt end and lacing a cord or wire through them to join the two ends.

Face Width: The measurement across the outer face of the pulley on the conveyor belt.

False Brinelling: A type of bearing damage resulting from small oscillations during rest periods.

Fastener Plate: A metal plate integral to mechanical belt fastening systems.

Feeder Conveyor: A conveyor responsible for transferring materials onto a main conveyor.

Finger Guard: Protective barriers or devices designed to prevent personnel from accessing moving parts of a conveyor.

Fixed End: The point on a conveyor system where components are permanently secured.

Fixed Guard: Stationary protective barriers installed on conveyors to prevent access to hazardous areas.

Flapper Gate: A hinged plate that swings to direct material one way or another on a conveyor.

Flat Surface Pulley: A pulley featuring a straight cylindrical drum face, devoid of crown contours.

Flexible Conveyor: A conveyor system with movable sections for adaptable material handling.

Flights: Protrusions or cleats attached to the conveyor belt to assist in material transport.

Flow Rail: Rails or channels that guide material smoothly through a gravity conveyor.

Flow-Through Tail: A conveyor tail design that allows materials to pass through.

Fluted Rollers: Rollers with a grooved or ribbed surface to enhance material grip.

FPM (Feet Per Minute): The abbreviation for feet per minute, a unit of measurement for conveyor speed.

Frame Alignment: The adjustment of conveyor frame components to maintain straight and parallel alignment.

Frame Spacer: Cross braces that hold a conveyor’s frame rails the correct distance apart.

Frame Support Structure: The framework that carries and supports a conveyor’s drive and other mechanical components.

Friction Drive System: A drive that moves the belt through friction contact with the drive pulley alone, with no mechanical fastening between them.

Friction Roller: A roller that provides additional traction to the conveyor belt.

Full Load Amperage The current a motor draws at its nameplate rating — rated horsepower, voltage and speed — in continuous operation. Distinct from locked-rotor amperage, the far higher inrush current drawn at start-up.

Gate: A conveyor segment equipped with a hinge mechanism, creating an opening for walkway access, operated manually or with a spring-loaded mechanism.

Gate Opening The clear span created when a hinged conveyor gate section is raised: the width and height of the passage available to walk through.

Gear Motor Unit: A motor and speed reducer built as a single unit driving the conveyor. The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation; the gearing then reduces output speed and multiplies torque. Also written gearmotor.

Gradual Material Erosion: The progressive loss of material due to friction and abrasion.

Gravity Bracket: A bracket designed for the attachment of gravity conveyors to the ends of powered conveyors.

Gravity Conveyor System: A non-powered conveyor system relying on gravity for material movement.

Gravity Roller: Rollers in a gravity conveyor system that use gravity to move materials.

Guard Rail: Protective barriers or rails installed along the conveyor to prevent materials from straying.

Guide Roller: A roller designed to guide and support the conveyor belt.

Hazard Evaluation: Identifying and addressing hazards in a conveyor system to decide what safety measures are needed.

Head Drive Conveyor: A conveyor system with the drive unit positioned at the discharge end.

Head Pulley: The pulley at the discharge or delivery end of the conveyor.

Herringbone Wing A wing pulley whose wings are set in a double-V, or herringbone, pattern rather than straight across. The angled wings shed fines and reduce the belt vibration and shell wear that straight wings cause.

Hog Rings: Circular mechanisms that securely grip a shaft inside a roller.

Hold Down Mechanism: Devices used to secure objects on a conveyor and prevent unintended movement.

Horizontal Conveyor A conveyor that runs level, with no rise or fall between the loading and discharge ends.

Horizontal Floor Space: The floor area a conveyor system takes up.

Horsepower (HP): A quantification of the time rate of doing work, defined as the force required to raise 33,000 pounds by one foot in one minute. In electrical terms, one horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts.

Hydraulic Conveyor: A conveyor system powered by hydraulics.

Hydraulic Take-Up: A tensioning device in a conveyor system that uses hydraulic pressure to maintain belt tension.

Hz (Hertz): An electrical term for a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.

Incline Conveyor A conveyor that transports material up a slope. Periodic inspections check alignment, belt tension and the cleats or surface that keep product from sliding back.

Incline Conveyor Length: The length of an incline conveyor’s sloped section, calculated from the elevation change between infeed and discharge and the angle of incline.

Indexing: Releasing products from a group one at a time, or in set quantities, typically with an indexer conveyor built for that purpose.

Infeed Conveyor: A conveyor responsible for introducing materials into a production or processing line.

Infeed End: The end of a conveyor system located closest to the loading point, where materials are introduced onto the conveyor.

Infrared Thermography: A maintenance technique that uses an infrared camera to spot temperature differences in conveyor components, often catching a failing bearing or motor before it breaks down.

Inspection Door: A hinged or removable door in the conveyor structure, providing access for inspections.

Interlock: A safety mechanism that ensures one component or device cannot operate unless another is in a predetermined state.

Intermediate Bed: A central section of the conveyor that does not house the drive or tail assemblies.

Intermediate Drive: Additional drive units positioned along the length of a conveyor to provide added power.

Internal Wear Liner: A protective layer applied to the internal surfaces of conveyor components to reduce wear.

Interpolate: Estimating a value that falls between two known measurements.

Inventory Management: Tracking and organizing the stock of spare parts used in conveyor maintenance (see spare parts inventory management), so the right part is on hand when a repair comes up.

Inverter: A device used to control the speed of a conveyor motor.

Inverter Drive: A drive that uses an inverter to control the conveyor motor’s speed.

Inverter Motor: A motor designed to work with an inverter for variable speed control.

Jam Sensor: A sensor that detects a material jam or blockage on a conveyor and signals it.

Jib Crane A crane with a horizontal boom, or jib, cantilevered from a wall bracket, floor mast or column, with a hoist trolley that travels the jib while the jib itself slews through an arc. Used to lift drives, pulleys and gearboxes within a fixed work area.

Jog Control: A control that moves conveyor components manually, in small increments.

Joint Fastener: A device used to connect and fasten the ends of conveyor belts.

Junction Box: An enclosure that protects electrical connections in a conveyor system.

Junction Roller: A roller placed at a conveyor junction to guide material flow.

Kevlar Reinforcement: Kevlar fiber used to reinforce a conveyor belt for extra strength and durability.

Keyless Locking Device: A mechanical fitting that locks a hub to a shaft by friction instead of a key.

Kick Plates: Barriers along the sides of a conveyor that keep material from spilling or protruding over the edge.

Knee Braces: Angled braces that tie into a conveyor’s structural supports to stabilize it vertically.

Knife Edge Conveyor Belt A belt conveyor whose end uses a very small transfer radius — a nose bar or small-diameter roller — so small or flat items pass to the next conveyor across a minimal gap. Nothing on it is sharpened.

Knurl Thumb Adjustable Nut: A knurled thumb nut on an accumulating conveyor that lets the pressure needed to move product be adjusted by hand, with no tools.

KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Metrics used to measure how effective conveyor maintenance practices are.

Lacing: Joining the two ends of a belt with mechanical fasteners rather than a vulcanized splice.

Lagged Pulley: A pulley faced with a layer of material, typically rubber, bonded to its surface to increase friction with the belt and reduce slippage.

Lagging: A covering, usually rubber or ceramic, bonded to the face of a drive pulley to raise friction against the belt and cut slippage. It wears as a consumable and is inspected for thickness, bond and grooving. Also called non-slip pulley lagging.

Lateral Stability: A conveyor’s resistance to tipping or shifting from side to side during operation.

Leveling Feet: Adjustable feet beneath a conveyor’s legs, used to level and stabilize it on an uneven floor.

Lift and Transfer: A device that moves product sideways between conveyor lanes or systems.

Limit Switch An electromechanical switch whose lever, roller, plunger or whisker is physically displaced by a moving object, opening or closing its contacts. On conveyors it senses product position and the travel limits of diverters, gates, lifts and take-ups.

Line Pressure The back pressure a line of accumulated product exerts on the carton at the front of the queue. Minimum-pressure and zero-pressure accumulation conveyors are built to limit or remove it.

Live Roller Conveyor: A conveyor made up of powered rollers, with all or some of them driven, typically by belting or chain, to move objects along.

Load Centering Device: A device that keeps the load centered on the conveyor as it moves.

Load Zone: The section of a conveyor where material is loaded onto the belt.

Looped Connection Splice: Another name for an eyelet splice — see Eyelet Linkage (Splice).

Lubrication System: A system that applies lubricant to bearings, chains, and other conveyor components to cut friction and prevent premature wear.

Luffing Conveyor: A conveyor whose belt angle can be raised or lowered to handle changes in elevation.

Luffing Pulley: A pulley that sets the belt angle on a luffing conveyor.

Lump Size: The largest particle size a conveyor is built to handle.

Magnetic Conveyor: A conveyor fitted with magnets to move or separate ferrous materials.

Magnetic Starter: An electrical switch that starts the conveyor’s motor and also protects it from overload.

Main Drive: The primary drive that powers the conveyor.

Maintenance Logbook: A record of all maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs performed on a conveyor system, kept as a history of its condition and service schedule.

Maintenance Scheduling: A plan setting out when conveyor components get inspected, serviced, and repaired.

Manual Activation Switch: A simple switch used to turn the conveyor on and off by hand.

Mat Top Conveyor: A conveyor featuring a flat, solid surface, commonly used for transporting larger items.

Material Flow Optimization Analyzing and adjusting conveyor rates, product spacing, buffer capacity and bottlenecks so throughput rises without adding equipment.

Material Handling Procedures: The procedures used to move and control materials on a conveyor system.

Mechanical Belt Splicing: A method of joining conveyor belts using mechanical fasteners.

Metal Detection System: An integrated system designed to detect metal objects on the conveyor belt.

Microprocessor-Based Control: A control system that uses microprocessors to run the conveyor automatically.

Minimum Pressure Accumulating Conveyor: A conveyor designed to limit the pressure that builds up between adjacent packages or cartons as they queue.

Misalignment Safety Switch: A safety device designed to detect and respond to conveyor misalignment.

Modular Belt Structure: A conveyor belt composed of individual interlocking modules.

Motor Alignment Adjustment: Positioning a conveyor motor precisely so it transmits power efficiently.

Motorized Pulley: A compact, motor-driven pulley integral to the conveyor system.

Motorized Roller Conveyor System: A conveyor system with rollers powered by individual motors.

Muff Coupling The simplest rigid shaft coupling: a hollow sleeve slipped over both shaft ends and keyed in place. It transmits torque but cannot accommodate any misalignment.

Multilevel Conveyor Structure: A conveyor system with multiple tiers or levels.

Multiple Strand Conveyor Chain: A conveyor chain with multiple parallel strands.

Negative Crowned Pulley A pulley crowned in reverse — thicker at the edges than at the center, the opposite of a standard (positive) crown. Used on wider tail pulleys, commonly 24 in. OAW and up, to help track the belt without the center material buildup a positive crown can cause at that width.

Net Lift: The net vertical distance through which material is conveyed against gravity by a conveyor system.

Nip Point Guard: A guard positioned to block access to a nip or pinch point on the conveyor — where the belt meets a pulley, or a chain meets a sprocket. It does not remove the nip point; it prevents anyone reaching it.

Noise Level: The sound level a conveyor produces during operation.

Nominal Belt Tension: The belt tension recommended for normal operating conditions.

Non-Clogging Tail Pulley: A tail pulley shaped to shed material and resist clogging.

Non-Contact Sensor: A sensor that detects material or objects on a conveyor without touching them.

Non-Contact Switch: A safety switch that activates without physical contact.

Non-Drive End: The end of the conveyor opposite the drive unit.

Non-Powered Roller: A roller with no power source of its own, turned by gravity or by contact with the load.

Non-Resettable Counter: A counter that can’t be reset by hand, used for tamper-proof tracking of counts or events.

Nose Bar Transfer: A transfer point that uses a small-radius nose bar to pass material between two conveyors with a minimal gap.

Nose Roller: A small roller employed on power belt curve conveyors to minimize gaps at transfer points.

Noseover: A conveyor section fitted with transition rollers where the path changes from incline to horizontal, or back.

Notched Belt: A conveyor belt featuring notches or cutouts to accommodate specific product shapes.

Nozzle: A fitting that releases air or another substance onto the conveyor, for cleaning, cooling, or similar jobs.

NPT (National Pipe Thread) The US standard tapered pipe thread form, ANSI/ASME B1.20.1, used on threaded fittings and ports throughout conveyor pneumatics and lubrication lines. The taper is what makes the joint seal. NPT names a thread form covering many sizes, not a size in itself.

Null: A state of no movement, or a zero reference position, in a conveyor system.

Null Zone: A section of a conveyor meant to be kept clear of product.

Nylon Conveyor Belt: A conveyor belt made from nylon, valued for its strength and durability.

Nylon Fabric: Fabric woven from nylon fiber, used in belts and covers.

Nylon Rollers: Conveyor rollers made of nylon, known for durability and wear resistance.

Nylon Slider Bed: A conveyor bed with a nylon slider surface.

Nylon Sprockets: Sprockets made of nylon, often used in chain-driven conveyors.

Nylon Wear Strip: A nylon strip used to cut friction and wear at specific points on a conveyor.

Nylon Webbing: Webbing woven from nylon fiber, used in belt construction.

Nylon-Covered Bearings: Bearings covered with a layer of nylon to add durability and reduce friction.

Nylon-Reinforced Belt: A conveyor belt reinforced with extra layers of nylon for added strength and a longer service life.

Nylon-Rubber Compound: A compound combining nylon and rubber for added durability and flexibility in conveyor components.

Offset Side Frame: A side frame intentionally offset from the standard line, built to fit a specific layout.

Oil-Resistant Belt A belt with a cover compounded, commonly with nitrile, to resist oil. Oil does not corrode belting: it penetrates and swells the rubber, softening the cover and weakening the carcass until the plies separate.

Oil-Resistant Roller: A roller built to withstand oil exposure without swelling or degrading.

Operational Status Indicator: An indicator that shows a conveyor’s current operating state in real time.

O-Ring: A rubber band used to transmit drive power between spools and rollers on a conveyor.

O-Ring Drive: A drive that uses O-ring belts to transmit power.

Over-Temperature Sensor: A sensor in a conveyor system designed to detect and respond to elevated temperatures.

Over-Tensioning: The condition wherein a conveyor belt is excessively tensioned, leading to increased wear and reduced system efficiency.

Over-Tightening: The condition wherein components in a conveyor system, such as bolts or fasteners, are excessively tightened.

Overall Length (OAL): The full length of a conveyor, measured from the outside face of one end pulley to the other, including belting or lagging.

Overhead Conveyor: A conveyor mounted above the working area to move material overhead.

Overhead Drive: A drive assembly mounted above the conveyor, which keeps the area beneath clear for product movement.

Overhead Guard: A protective structure installed above a conveyor to guard against overhead hazards.

Overhead Trolley Conveyor: A conveyor that moves material on overhead trolleys or carriers.

Overload Protection: Safety devices that protect a conveyor system from damage caused by excessive loads.

Overturning Moment The turning effect that tends to tip a conveyor structure — a lateral or eccentric force multiplied by its lever arm about the tipping edge. It is resisted by the restoring moment of the structure’s own weight and its anchorage.

Package Flow Conveyor: A conveyor system installed within racking, featuring either a wheel bed or roller configuration.

Package Stop: A manual or mechanical device used to stop movement on a conveyor.

Pallet Conveyor: A conveyor built to carry palletized goods.

Pallet Flow Conveyor: A conveyor specifically designed for the smooth movement of pallets, containers, and heavy loads, typically within a rack structure.

Parallel Roller Conveyor: A conveyor made up of multiple rollers set parallel to each other.

Parts Accumulator: A component that temporarily holds and queues products or materials on a conveyor.

Parts Conveyor: The conveyor system used to catch and gather smaller parts and debris away from the production areas in a warehouse.

Passive Roller A roller that is not driven and turns freely under the load it carries, as in a gravity conveyor or as an idler supporting a belt.

Photo Eye: A sensor that detects the presence of a load on a conveyor.

Photoelectric Sensor: A sensor in a conveyor system that uses light beams for material detection.

Pitch: The distance between the center points of adjacent components in a conveyor system.

Pivot Plate: The gusset that attaches the conveyor to the support leg.

Plastisol Coating: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) covering for roller tubes to prevent product damage or marking. Usually #70 durometer green or #90 durometer red in color.

PLC: Programmable logic controller used to automate conveyors and program a sequence or operation of single or multiple conveyors.

Plow: A fixed blade set at an angle across the conveyor path to discharge or divert objects.

Plugged Chute Switch: A safety device integrated into a conveyor system to identify and address material blockages in chutes.

Pneumatic Conveyor: A conveyor system employing air pressure for material transport.

Pneumatic Cylinder: A cylinder that uses compressed air to produce linear motion.

Poly-Tier Support: Adjustable supports built to carry the load of a multi-tiered conveyor system.

Polymer Conveyor Chain: A conveyor chain made of polymer, which resists corrosion and runs quieter than metal chain.

Pop-Out Roller: A roller typically positioned at the ends of a belt conveyor, aiding in transfer, and set in a broad groove to eject if an object intervenes between it and the belt.

Portable Conveyor: A conveyor built on wheeled or mobile supports so it can be moved as needed.

Portable Support: Casters or wheeled supports that let a portable conveyor be moved easily.

Position Sensor: A sensor in a conveyor system that detects the position of materials.

Power Belt Curve: A curve conveyor guided by tapered pulleys that use a belt.

Power Conveyor: A conveyor that requires power to move packages, as opposed to a gravity conveyor.

Power Turn Conveyor: A conveyor system with a curved section that allows materials to change direction.

Powered Feeder: A powered section that feeds product from a horizontal conveyor onto an inclined one.

Powered Roller Conveyor: A roller conveyor whose rollers are driven rather than gravity-fed. Drive arrangements include line shaft, belt-driven live roller, chain-driven live roller, and motorized driven roller (MDR), in which each zone carries its own motor.

Precision Alignment Setting conveyor components to a stated tolerance against a reference line, laser or piano wire, rather than by eye, so pulleys, shafts and frames come in square within thousandths instead of approximately true.

Precision Bearings: High-quality bearings built for durability and low friction.

Pressure Relief Valve: A safety device in a conveyor system that releases excess pressure to prevent system damage.

Pressure Roller: A roller that keeps the drive belt pressed against the load-carrying rollers on a belt-driven live roller conveyor.

Preventive Maintenance: Planned maintenance activities performed at scheduled intervals to prevent potential issues, extend conveyor system life, and ensure continuous reliability.

Product Footprint: The part of the product that touches any part of the conveyor, including wheels, belts, or rollers.

Proximity Sensor: A sensor in a conveyor system that detects the presence or absence of materials without physical contact.

PTFE-Coated Conveyor Belt: A conveyor belt coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for enhanced non-stick properties and resistance to heat.

Pull Cord Switch: A safety device in a conveyor system that stops the conveyor when the pull cord is activated.

Pulley A cylindrical drum mounted on a shaft that guides, drives or tensions the conveyor belt. Its face may be plain, crowned, lagged or winged.

Pulley Lagging: Applying a layer of material to a pulley’s face to increase grip on the belt and reduce slipping.

Push-Button Station: An electrical mechanism that triggers and operates a magnetic starter.

Pusher: A device, normally air powered, that pushes product 90 degrees off one conveyor line onto another line, a chute or a takeaway station. The pushing element may be a flat plate, a paddle or an arm on the cylinder rod.

Pusher Sorter: A sorting device in a conveyor system that uses pushers to divert materials onto different paths.

PVC Belt: A conveyor belt made of PVC, valued for its versatility and wear resistance.

Pyramidal Hopper: A pyramid-shaped hopper used to feed material onto a conveyor.

Quality Control: Checking that conveyor components and systems meet specified standards.

Quick-Release Belt Fastener: A belt fastener that opens and closes quickly for fast removal and replacement.

Quick-Release Chain Link: A chain link that can be removed and replaced quickly, without special tools.

Quiet Conveyor A conveyor built to run at reduced noise using UHMW chain and wear strips, polymer- or urethane-covered rollers, sealed precision bearings, and belt rather than roller conveying.

Rail Car Unloading Conveyor: A conveyor used to unload bulk material from rail cars.

Rail Splice: A joint that connects sections of conveyor track, common on overhead conveyor systems.

Rail Support Bracket: A bracket that supports and secures a conveyor’s rails in alignment.

Reclaimer Conveyor: A conveyor used to reclaim bulk material from a stockpile, common in storage yards.

Reducer A gearbox fitted between the motor and the drive pulley or sprocket. It lowers the motor’s output speed and raises torque in the same proportion.

Regenerative Brake: A braking system that recovers energy during deceleration instead of dissipating it as heat.

Remote Monitoring: Monitoring and controlling a conveyor from a remote location, typically over a network connection.

Return Idler: An idler roller mounted beneath the belt to support its return run.

Reverse Action: An operating mode in which the direction of material flow on a conveyor is reversed.

Reversible: Able to run in either direction, moving cartons or product either way.

Reversible Conveyor: A conveyor built to run in either direction.

Rip Detection: A system that detects a rip or tear in the belt and signals it immediately.

Roller: A cylinder mounted on a conveyor bed that carries product along, turned by power or by gravity.

Roller Bed: A conveyor bed fitted with a row of wheels or rollers that products rest and travel on, powered or gravity-fed.

Roller Bed Conveyor: A conveyor with rollers set along the bed to support and move materials.

Roller Center: A measure of the distance between the pivotal cores of two rollers on the conveyor bed, measured from axle center to axle center.

Roller Chain: A chain purposefully integrated into conveyor systems to transmit power between components.

Roller Conveyor: A conveyor configuration marked by the alignment of rollers across beds, carving a thoroughfare where cartons and products travel, driven by power or gravity.

Roller Diameter The outside diameter of the roller tube, measured across the circular face. Common conveyor sizes are 1.9 in., 2.5 in. and 3.5 in. Not to be confused with roller length, the end-to-end dimension.

Roller Frame: The structure that cradles and supports conveyor rollers.

Roller Lacing: A method of joining the two ends of a conveyor belt with interlocking metal lacing held together by a connecting pin, forming a hinged splice. Because the pin can be withdrawn, the belt can be opened for removal or repair without being cut.

Roller Shaft: The central shaft of a conveyor roller, connecting it into the conveyor frame.

Roller Spacing: The interval between adjacent rollers in a conveyor system, which when properly set prevents material entanglements and misalignments.

Roller Stand: The supports bearing the weight of gravity conveyor systems, providing stability and alignment.

Roller Table: A deck of rollers that materials move along.

Roller Track: A track fitted with rollers that guides material movement.

Rotary Positioner: A device that rotates and positions material on a conveyor.

Rubber Belt: A conveyor belt made of rubber, valued for its flexibility and durability.

Run-In Period: The initial period after installation or rebuild when a conveyor system settles into normal operation.

Running Tension: The tension in a conveyor belt while it is in motion.

Runout: The deviation and wobbling of rotating components within the conveyor system.

Safety Pull Cord: An emergency stop device featuring a cord that, when pulled, triggers an immediate shutdown of the conveyor system.

Safety Switch: A switch that stops or controls conveyor operation when activated, for safety.

Sag The vertical deflection of the belt below a straight line drawn between two adjacent idlers, expressed as a percentage of idler spacing. It is normally held to 2–3 percent; beyond that the belt spills material and wear accelerates.

Scavenger Conveyor: A conveyor used to remove leftover material or debris from a process.

Scissor Lift Conveyor: A conveyor mounted on a scissor lift so the bed height can be adjusted.

Scraper: A device or blade used to remove material residue from the surface of the conveyor belt, enhancing cleanliness and preventing carryback.

Seal: A component or material used to close gaps and prevent material leakage in conveyor systems.

Sealed Bearings: Bearings fitted with seals that keep contaminants out.

Seamless Conveyance Loop: A conveyor belt with no splice at all, manufactured as a single continuous loop.

Self-Aligning Conveyor: A conveyor built to correct its own alignment automatically.

Self-Aligning Idler: An idler, also called a training idler, that pivots to automatically steer a wandering belt back to center.

Self-Aligning Roller: Another name for a Self-Aligning Idler — see that entry.

Self-Cleaning Tail Pulley: A tail pulley designed to shed material buildup and prevent carryback.

Sensor: A device in a conveyor system that detects and responds to specific conditions, such as material presence or temperature.

Sequencing: The set order in which operations happen across a conveyor system’s components.

Service Life: The expected lifespan of conveyor components or the entire conveyor system.

Service Loop: A coiled length of electrical cable left slack at a moving connection, so the cable flexes without being damaged.

Set High: Vertical spacing that allows rollers to be attached above frame rails.

Set Low: Vertical spacing that allows the roller to be mounted below the top of the frame rails.

Shaft: A rotating rod that supports components and transmits motion.

Shaft Alignment: The precise adjustment of conveyor shafts to ensure proper alignment and prevent issues such as increased wear or power transmission inefficiency.

Shaft Coupling: A device used to connect two shafts in a conveyor system, transmitting motion and torque.

Shaft Diameter: The diameter of a conveyor shaft, sized for its application.

Shaft Extension: The part of a conveyor shaft that extends beyond its mounting point.

Shaft Key: A key that locks a shaft and a mounted component together so they can’t slip or rotate independently.

Shaft Mount Reducer: A type of reducer directly mounted on a conveyor shaft to decrease speed and increase torque.

Shaft Seal: A seal used to protect conveyor components, such as bearings, from contaminants and prevent lubricant leakage.

Shaft Sleeve: A protective sleeve installed over a conveyor shaft to enhance durability and prevent wear.

Shaft Sprocket: A sprocket directly mounted on a conveyor shaft for power transmission.

Shaft Type The classification of a conveyor shaft by construction and duty — solid or hollow, keyed or keyless, stub or through, drive or idler — which determines the torque it can carry and how components mount to it.

Shaft Vibration: Shaft oscillation that exceeds normal limits, usually a sign of imbalance, misalignment, or a worn bearing.

Shafting: A general term for all the shafts used throughout a conveyor system.

Shear Pin: A pin designed to break under excessive load, protecting the rest of the drive train from damage.

Sheave: A grooved pulley wheel that carries a V-belt.

Sheet Metal Guard: A guard made of sheet metal that shields conveyor components from outside contact.

Short Center Conveyor A conveyor with a short distance between its head and tail pulley centers, used for close transfers and in tight spaces.

Side Channels: Structural rails that support the rollers along the sides of the conveyor.

Side Mount Drive: A drive mounted to the side of the conveyor, used where there isn’t room for a drive above or below it.

Side Rail: A rail running along each side of the conveyor to guide and contain the material being carried.

Side Roller: A roller mounted along the side of the conveyor to guide and support the belt.

Side Tables: Steel platforms mounted on either side of a conveyor bed to give workers a surface next to the line.

Slave Drive: A conveyor drive that takes its power from an adjacent conveyor rather than from a prime mover of its own, linking the two so they start, stop and run together.

Slider Bed Conveyor: A conveyor whose belt runs over a flat slider bed instead of rollers.

Slug Mode An accumulation-conveyor release mode that discharges the entire accumulated line at once as a single group, rather than releasing cartons one at a time. The opposite of singulation.

Snub Idler: Another name for a Snub Pulley — see that entry.

Snub Pulley: A pulley designed to amplify the wrap angle of the conveyor belt, significantly enhancing traction and grip.

Soft Start: A control that ramps the conveyor up to speed gradually, instead of starting at full speed, to reduce stress on components.

Sortation Conveyor: A conveyor that sorts products to different destinations.

Spare Parts Optimization: Managing spare parts inventory, typically through a CMMS, so critical components are on hand when needed while balancing stock levels against carrying costs and excess inventory.

Speed Reducer: Another name for a Reducer — see that entry.

Speed Sensor: A sensor that measures the speed of the belt or another moving component.

Spillage: The inadvertent release or escape of material from the conveyor, often triggering cleanup procedures and introducing potential hazards.

Splice: The juncture or linking point between two ends of a conveyor belt.

Splicing: Another name for Belt Splicing — see that entry.

Spool Conveyor: A conveyor in which spools drive O-ring belts that turn the rollers carrying product.

Spring-Loaded Axle: A roller axle with a spring-loaded end that lets the roller be popped out of the frame without disassembling the conveyor.

Sprocket: A toothed wheel that engages a chain to drive it.

Spur: A branch conveyor that diverts unit loads to or from the mainline.

Stainless Steel Conveyor: A conveyor system built from stainless steel components, valued for its resistance to corrosion.

Stand-Alone Conveyor: A conveyor that runs independently, not tied into a larger conveyor network.

Standby Mode: A state in which a conveyor sits idle but ready to resume operation on demand.

Start-Up Sequence: The preordained series of actions executed when initiating the conveyor system.

Static Conductivity: A conveyor component’s ability to bleed off static electricity rather than letting it build up.

Strain Relief: A fitting that takes mechanical strain off an electrical cable at its connection point, so flexing or pulling doesn’t damage the wire.

Support: The structural elements that hold a conveyor at its proper elevation and alignment — hangers, floor stands, or brackets, fixed or portable.

Switch: A device that connects two or more adjacent conveyor lines, or an electrical control that governs material flow.

Tail End: The loading end of a conveyor, where material is introduced.

Tail Pulley: The pulley at the tail end of a conveyor, where the belt turns to start its return run.

Take-Up: A mechanism that adjusts for belt or chain stretch and wear to maintain proper tension.

Tangent: The straight segment following a curved conveyor, providing a transition between curved and straight sections.

Tapered Roller: A conical conveyor roller designed for curved sections, featuring end and intermediate diameters proportional to their distance from the curve’s center.

Temperature Control: Monitoring and regulating the temperature of conveyor components, especially important in hot or cold operating environments.

Tensioning: Adjusting belt tension to prevent slipping and excessive wear.

Throughput: The rate at which products move through a conveyor system.

Torque: The rotational force produced by a conveyor’s drive components, such as motors and gearboxes.

Total Load: The weight distributed across the entire length of the conveyor system.

Tracking: The operation of guiding the conveyor belt along a predetermined path.

Traffic Cop: A device positioned to cushion or block cartons from colliding as they enter a conveyor.

Training Idlers: Idlers built to automatically re-center a wandering belt — see Self-Aligning Idler.

Transfer Points: The points where material passes from one conveyor to another.

Transition Zone The length of belt between the last fully troughed idler and the flat terminal pulley, where the belt changes from troughed to flat. Too short a transition overstresses the belt edges.

Transmission Chain A power-transmission chain, typically the roller chain running from the reducer to the head shaft, that carries drive torque — as distinct from a conveying chain, which carries the load.

Trash Conveyor: A conveyor used to carry away empty boxes and waste material.

Tread Plates: Diamond-clad steel filler plates gracing the gaps between rollers on a roller conveyor, contributing both functionality and finish.

Tripod Support: A three-legged stand supporting small roller and skatewheel conveyors, easily moved and aligned to maintain the conveyor’s elevation.

Troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving faults in a conveyor system.

Troughed Bed A belt conveyor bed shaped into a trough so the belt cradles the material and spills less. Used across bulk handling for aggregate, coal, ore, grain, wood chips and recyclables alike.

Troughed Belt Conveyor: A conveyor with a belt shaped into a trough, cradling and transporting materials.

Troughing Shaping the belt into a trough with troughing idlers so it holds more material and spills less. Trough angles are commonly 20, 35 or 45 degrees, with deep-trough sets running 45 to 60 degrees.

Turnbuckle: A threaded fitting that’s turned to adjust tension or alignment in a structural member.

Turning Wheel: A wheel mounted on an adjustable bracket to orient packages as they move along the conveyor.

Turntable: A rotating bed used to transfer packages from one conveyor to another, often changing their direction.

Two-Pulley Hitch: A transition section that moves products from horizontal positioning to incline.

U-Trough: A conveyor trough shaped like the letter U, used for handling bulk materials.

UHMW-PE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene): A durable, low-friction plastic used in conveyor components to cut wear and help material flow.

Under-Belt Clearance The clear space beneath the conveyor structure, to the floor or to the next obstruction, and on a belt conveyor the space between the carrying and return runs.

Under-Tensioning: The condition in which a conveyor belt is insufficiently tensioned, leading to sagging or inadequate support.

Underground Conveyor: A conveyor installed below ground, common in mining and tunneling.

Underside Bed Cover: Metal sheeting that shields the underside of a conveyor.

Underside Take-Up: A take-up segment situated beneath the bed of a belt conveyor.

Unload Area: The area of a conveyor system where material is removed or offloaded.

Unload Chute: A channel or passage designed for the controlled discharge of materials from the conveyor.

Unload Station: A designated area along the conveyor line where materials are unloaded or transferred.

Upender: A conveyor accessory or system that rotates material from horizontal to vertical, or the reverse, for processing, inspection or palletizing. Also called a tipper. Regular inspection and lubrication keep the rotation smooth and the safety interlocks working.

Upstream: The direction opposite to the material flow within a conveyor system.

Urethane: A material used in conveyor components for its resilience, abrasion resistance, and chemical stability.

Urethane Lagging: Lagging a pulley with a layer of urethane to increase grip on the belt and reduce slipping.

V-Belt: A type of power transmission belt with a trapezoidal cross-section, commonly used in conveyor systems.

V-Guide: A feature on conveyor belts that provides tracking assistance by fitting into a V-shaped groove on the conveyor pulleys.

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): An electronic device that varies motor speed in a conveyor system by changing the frequency of the power supplied to it.

Vendor Relationship Management: Tracking communication, performance, and procurement timelines with external vendors and service providers for conveyor system components, typically within a CMMS.

Ventilation: Airflow provided to cool conveyor components and prevent overheating.

Vertical Curve: A curved section in a conveyor system that changes the conveyor’s elevation.

Vibration Analysis: Monitoring vibration in conveyor components to catch developing problems before they cause a failure.

Visual Inspection: A routine check of conveyor components using visual cues to identify signs of wear, misalignment, or damage.

Vulcanization: Bonding or fusing rubber components, such as a belt splice, using heat and pressure.

Wear Strip: A protective component, often made of plastic or other materials, installed on conveyor surfaces to reduce friction and prevent wear.

Weighing System: A system built into a conveyor to weigh transported material, used for quality control or inventory tracking.

Welding Joining metal components by heating them to coalescence, with or without pressure. Arc, MIG and stick welding — the methods used on conveyor frames — apply heat alone; resistance and friction welding add pressure.

Wheel Conveyor: A type of conveyor system that uses wheels to transport materials, commonly used in gravity conveyor setups.

Wiper Blade: A blade that wipes debris and material residue off the belt surface.

Wire Rope Conveyor Belt: A conveyor belt reinforced with wire rope for added strength and durability.

Work Order Automation: Using a CMMS to automatically create, assign, and track maintenance work orders for a conveyor system rather than handling them on paper.

Work Platform: An elevated surface or structure built adjacent to a conveyor for maintenance personnel to access and perform inspections or repairs.

Workforce Management and Tracking: Using a CMMS to assign maintenance tasks, track progress, and record the skills and certifications of the technicians who service a conveyor system.

Wrap Angle The arc of a pulley’s circumference that the belt actually contacts, measured in degrees. A bare drive pulley gives about 180 degrees; adding a snub pulley raises it to 210–240 degrees for more traction.

X-Ray Inspection System: An inline detection system mounted over or around the conveyor that uses X-rays to identify foreign objects, voids, or fill-level defects inside sealed product without opening it. Regular calibration and shielding checks are required.

Yield Rate: The proportion of product that passes through the conveyor line and meets specification without rejection or rework, used as a measure of line performance and material handling quality.

Zero-Pressure Accumulating Conveyor: A conveyor system engineered to eradicate any pressure or force exerted between closely positioned products.

Zone Control: A feature in conveyor systems where different zones of the conveyor can be controlled independently, allowing for better energy efficiency and product handling.

Part of the eWorkOrders Learning Center