Crossing Conveyor Lines: The Options
Crossovers vs. overpasses vs. gates
The extensive conveyor lines that snake through many distribution facilities allow operations to transport, buffer and direct loads in a way that takes the best possible advantage of space. These conveyor systems are essentially the core around which a lean, efficient material handling operation is built, but they also create barriers to people moving around the facility since they can block the flow of foot traffic.
Crossing safely and conveniently is critial
It’s neither safe or productive to have very long lines of conveyor that can’t be crossed. For productivity, people usually need to move around a warehouse, even if they spend extensive amounts of time in a stationary role like assembly or order picking. Workers need to be able to switch positions, cover different areas or access supplies. Even if the walk around is only fifty feet, that can be multiplied by the number of times the walk happens, the number of people who have to do it, and the number of shifts per day. This wasted time mounts up.
More importantly, it’s unsafe for people to walk around a long line in the event of an emergency evacuation. Local safety and fire codes may differ, but you need to understand those regulations and comply with them at the minimum.
Alternatives for passing through a conveyor line
Conveyor overpasses for permanent crossings, high traffic and maximum accessibility
Conveyors are sometimes built with “overpasses” that incline a line up and overhead, then decline to create a crossing point. This method is efficient from both space and productivity standpoints.
- Product flow isn’t interrupted, and people can cross without either mounting stairs or opening a hinged gate.
- There are some space considerations — you need space for both the incline and decline in the line and overhead space of at least 7 to 8 feet. This can be more if you expect to accommodate forklifts or order pickers.
- This also allows push carts through with ease, which crossovers and gates cannot do.
- This method consumes some line space, but none to the sides as a crossover would.
- If wheelchair accessibility is a factor, this is an excellent method.
- Since it involves conveying loads up an incline and down another, it may reduce throughput speeds.
- It is likely the costliest conveyor line passage method.
An overhead system is frequently used in a long line, such as in front of a large number of picking bays. This allows people to pass beneath it in either a controlled situation (the crossing points are blocked except in an approved space or spaces) or beneath the entire run of conveyor.
This style is typically used to allow large amounts of traffic to cross at the same time. In some cases, forklifts can use these passages.
Crossovers for frequent crossings in areas with available space
Crossovers are an ideal way for people to pass over a conveyor line without interrupting product flow, but they require space on either side of the line in three ways:
- Adequate space between the top of the belt or rollers and the bottom of the crossover for the tallest product to pass through.
- Adequate overhead space between the crossover and the ceiling or other obstructions for a person to walk through.
- Crossovers should leave adequate side-to-side space for loads that may overhang a conveyor belt.
Crossovers are convenient for warehouse personnel. If people pass through carrying loads, a crossover can allow them to do so without stopping to open a gate. They tend to be more expensive than gates, particularly gravity gates. Use crossovers when you have space and frequent traffic. In those situations, they are worth the cost difference vs. a hinged gate and may be less costly than an overhead incline/decline solution.
Crossovers are ideal for crossing multiple, parallel conveyor lines. Gates are impractical for these applications, as people would have to open multiple gates to pass.
There are many crossover alternatives. For instance, for certain applications, you can cross using ladders rather than stairs.
Hinged gates for lower traffic, emergency egress and economical crossings
Conveyor gates are fitted onto the line and must be manually opened and closed each time they are used. They are typically the most economical solution to crossing a conveyor, and also have the tightest footprint, in essence absorbing no additional space, either vertically or on the sides of the line.
For the right application gates are the ideal solution, but there are aspects of this option to consider:
- A hinged gate stops product flow while it’s open, which can be a throughput issue if accessed too frequently.
- Hinged gates require people to open and close them. They aren’t ideal for frequent crossing points for this reason. If workers hand-carry loads, this can be an issue.
- Hinged gates may be heavy if they aren’t spring-assisted.
- Gates may not be suitable for very wide conveyors (they may not be available in some widths) due to weight considerations.
Use gates for safety applications where space is tight and where crossings are infrequent.
Final thoughts
The safety aspects of having an adequate number of crossing points can’t be overstated, but it is also great for maintenance, repairs, plant tours and other needs. Your plant personnel should know where all crossing points are, how to access them and when to access them for safety and productivity reasons.
Download the Cisco-Eagle guide to conveyors
Check out the exclusive Cisco-Eagle Guide to Conveyors, which features helpful articles, tips and links to extensive conveyor resources. It’s a quick, free PDF download that features articles, tips from our expert employee-owners and much more.
Download the guide today
Tags: Shoptalk
Scott Stone is Cisco-Eagle's Vice President of Marketing with 35 years of experience in material handling, warehousing and industrial operations. His work is published in multiple industry journals an websites on a variety of warehousing topics. He writes about automation, warehousing, safety, manufacturing and other areas of concern for industrial operations and those who operate them.