Frequently Asked Questions: Packaging
What is a packaging conveyor?
A packaging conveyor is a conveyor system used to transport products, cases, or packaging materials between stations on a manufacturing or packaging line. Common packaging conveyor applications include filling, sealing, labeling, inspection, case packing, and palletizing.
Packaging conveyors must keep products precisely oriented and spaced at high speeds. They must also handle many different product sizes, formats, and weights. Intralox packaging conveyor solutions include modular plastic belting, Activated Roller Belt (ARB) equipment, and Packer to Palletizer conveyor belting and equipment systems. All are designed to optimize throughput, reduce product loss, and minimize downtime across the full packaging operation.
How do conveyor belts help in the packaging industry?
Conveyor belts in the packaging industry automate product movement between every stage of the line. This allows packagers and manufacturers to eliminate manual handling and reduce labor costs. It also enables the consistent, high-speed throughput that modern packaging operations require.
Conveyor belts ensure proper product spacing and orientation during filling, sealing, labeling, inspection, and case packing. This reduces the risk of product damage, line jams, and quality failures at each transfer point.
Intralox belt and equipment solutions go further by:
- Optimizing line layouts to maximize floor space efficiency
- Standardizing components to simplify maintenance and changeovers
- Future-proofing lines to handle new product formats and sustainability requirements without major capital investment
What type of conveyor is used in packaging?
Packaging lines use a range of conveyor types depending on the product being handled and the process stage. Modular plastic conveyor belts are among the most widely used.
Modular plastic belts (MPB) feature an interlocking module construction. This design allows them to be configured for curves, inclines, transfers, and accumulation in a compact footprint. Individual modules can be replaced without removing the entire belt, which simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime.
Intralox MPB and ARB equipment are used across many types of packaging lines, offering a standardized and scalable solution across the full packaging operation.
What packaging line solutions does Intralox offer?
Intralox provides comprehensive conveyor belt and equipment solutions for moving products on packaging lines. Applications we support include:
- Primary packaging
- Secondary and tertiary packaging
- Case handling
- Accumulation
- Palletizing
- Warehousing and distribution
Our approach combines line layout optimization, belt and equipment selection, application engineering, and ongoing support. This helps you maximize throughput, improve flexibility, reduce risk, and achieve the highest return on investment.
Does Intralox serve packaging equipment manufacturers as well as end users?
Yes. Intralox partners with both packaging OEMs and end users, making us a single-source resource across the full packaging ecosystem.
Equipment manufacturers who partner with Intralox benefit from belt and component standardization, engineering support, and innovative products that help you differentiate your offerings in the market.
End users benefit from the ability to apply a consistent product portfolio and unmatched expertise directly to your production lines. Our focus on optimizing line layouts helps you future-proof for flexibility and sustainability while reducing total cost of ownership.
How does Intralox help packaging lines become more flexible and sustainable?
Intralox’s conveyor belt and equipment solutions allow you to handle a wide range of product types, sizes, and formats on your packaging lines without undergoing major infrastructure changes. This is critical as consumer-packaged goods producers respond to shifting market demands and sustainability requirements.
Standardizing belts, equipment, and components across your line helps you achieve many benefits, including:
- Simplified changeovers
- Reduced spare parts inventory
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Fewer line changes over time
Our modular plastic conveyor belts help you simplify maintenance while realizing extended belt life. Their design and reliability lengthen belt lifespans, helping you achieve sustainability goals.