A few months ago, we posted a Guide to Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (you might find it useful if you’re looking at any application that moves a load up and down at least one level integrated with a shaft, mezzanine or other are). That guide includes the following questions, which you should be able to answer as you move ahead with your project.

1. What do you need your VRC to do?
2. How often will it be used?
3. How much weight does it need to lift?
4. How big of a carriage do you need?
5. How will you load/unload the VRC?
6. How high do you need to lift?
7. What are your clearances around the VRC?
8. Where do you need perimeter safety enclosures?
9. What type of gate(s) do you need?
10. What electrical power do you have available?

Those are some things to get you started. If you want to know more, check out the VRC specification guide. There is a brief article, but you can download the more detailed, 26-page PDF file pretty quickly.

Tags: Automation, Material Handling, mezzanine lifts, vertical lifts, vrc, warehousing

Scott Stone is Cisco-Eagle's Advertising and E-business Manager. He is a 17-year veteran of the material handling industry. He publishes the award-winning Material Handling Tips & Information Newsletter and works on all aspects of the company's communications, marketing, and advertising efforts.