Drive Systems
Conveyor Technologies' drive systems provide fixed-speed and variable-speed movement for low-profile conveyor applications. The drive, gearing and controls are selected together around the conveyor's movement and load.
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Explore drive products
Find the drive arrangement that fits your conveyor and machine layout. Conveyor Technologies can help compare the options for your operation.
Shaft Mounted Drive
Directly couple the gearmotor to the conveyor shaft, with mounting positions to fit the available space.
Right Angle Gear Motor
A jaw coupling connects the right-angle gearmotor arrangement to the conveyor, with flange, foot or face mounting options.
Inline Gear Motor Packages
An inline gearmotor connects through a jaw coupling, with fixed-speed, brushless DC and watertight motor choices.
Heavy Duty Right Angle Gear Motor
A jaw-coupled right-angle package with an alloy case and three-phase AC or 90V DC motor choices.
Bottom Mounted Gear Motor
Place the gearmotor beneath the conveyor, with a separate timing-belt connection to the conveyor shaft.
High Speed Inline Gear Motor
Use a directly coupled inline arrangement in the high-speed drive range.
High Speed Bottom Mounted Gear Motor
Place the high-speed package below the conveyor with a timing-belt drive connection.
Conveyor motion
Fixed-speed operation
Useful when: Parts need to move at a consistent pace between operations.
A fixed-speed arrangement runs the conveyor at a selected operating speed. Motor speed, gearing and pulley diameter together determine belt travel speed.
Variable-speed operation
Useful when: The conveyor pace needs to change with the production process.
A variable-speed arrangement allows adjustment as the process changes. The usable speed range depends on the complete motor, controller and conveyor configuration.
Reversing and indexing
Useful when: Parts need to travel in either direction or advance and pause at working positions.
Some applications change direction or advance parts between working positions. Index distance, acceleration, deceleration and dwell describe different parts of an indexing cycle.
AccuMove Conveyors describes product-specific timing belt and motion options. Precision Indexing explains the wider positioning task.
Mounting and machine integration
Drive placement
Drive position determines the space needed beside or beneath the conveyor. The installation envelope includes guards, supports and access for adjustment or removal.
Control interfaces
The machine sequence determines which commands and feedback signals are needed. Interface compatibility depends on the actual controller and drive configuration.
Shaft-mounted drive
Mounting positions in 15° increments allow the shaft-mounted gearmotor to be oriented around nearby machine components. Conveyor Technologies coordinates that position with the conveyor shaft and access for gearmotor replacement.
What determines the drive arrangement
Conveyor Technologies brings these requirements together when selecting the drive, gearing and controls for your operation.
| Consideration | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Conveyor and load | Belt dimensions, product load, holders and incline affect the required drive duty. |
| Belt speed | Belt travel speed is different from motor or gearbox revolutions per minute. |
| Power and torque | Both belong to the selected motor, gearing and operating speed. |
| Electrical supply | Voltage, phase, frequency and control supply must match the selected package. |
| Controls | Start, stop, direction, speed and position signals connect the conveyor with the process. |
| Operating environment | Temperature, moisture and cleaning exposure affect the drive and electrical protection. |
A brief description of the operation is enough to start the selection discussion.
Existing drives and documentation
Identify the installed equipment
For an existing conveyor, its identifier and any readable motor, gearbox or controller nameplate help locate the relevant configuration. Equipment Identification provides a starting point when the identity is uncertain.
Match the document to the drive
Mounting drawings, wiring information and operating instructions must apply to the particular conveyor and drive. Use Conveyor Documentation for documentation inquiries.
Discuss a new drive or an existing installation
Tell us whether you need a drive for a new conveyor, a replacement or a change to an existing arrangement. Conveyor Technologies can help with the selection and configuration discussion.
For a technical question, Ask for Engineering Help.