{"id":10935,"date":"2017-08-03T11:13:29","date_gmt":"2017-08-03T16:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/?p=10935"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:33:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:33:58","slug":"gravity-conveyors-and-product-flow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/03\/gravity-conveyors-and-product-flow\/","title":{"rendered":"Gravity Conveyors and Product Flow"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 544px; height: auto; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Gravity-Conveyor-Comparison.jpg\" alt=\"Conveyor Comparison\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1147\/gravity-conveyors\">Install Gravity conveyors<\/a> on declines so that the infeed side sits higher than the end of the line for smooth product flow. \u00a0This is one of the easiest ways to move products quickly and economically. How can you set up your gravity conveyor for optimal product flow?<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<aside class=\"tldr-summary\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px 15px 25px; margin-bottom: 50px; border-radius: 15px; border: 2px solid #e4dddd; margin: 4px 10px 4px 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19);\" data-type=\"summary\">\n<h4>TL;DR \u2013 Optimizing product flow on gravity conveyors<\/h4>\n<p>Achieving consistent product flow on gravity conveyors depends on the interplay between load weight, surface characteristics, and the angle of decline.<\/p>\n<p>While skatewheel conveyors require less pitch and are ideal for lightweight cartons and maintaining orientation through curves, gravity roller conveyors are better suited for heavy, irregular, or saggy loads like drums and pails. To ensure success, always test your slope with both your lightest and heaviest live loads before full-scale operation to find the optimal pitch for your specific materials.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n  \"headline\": \"Gravity Conveyors and Product Flow\",\n  \"name\": \"Gravity Conveyors and Product Flow\",\n  \"description\": \"Consistent product flow on gravity conveyors is determined by load characteristics and the slope of the line. Skatewheel conveyors offer faster flow for light loads and better orientation in curves, while roller conveyors provide superior support for heavy or irregular items. Testing slope with actual loads is essential for achieving the right speed and efficiency.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/03\/gravity-conveyors-and-product-flow\",\n  \"datePublished\": \"2017-08-03\",\n  \"author\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Person\",\n    \"name\": \"Scott Stone\"\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Factors for product flow<\/h3>\n<h4>Speed and flow<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; float: right; max-width: 350px; height: auto; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/images.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/gravity-conveyor-pitch2.jpg\" alt=\"gravity roller conveyor\" \/><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Infeed and discharge elevations:<\/strong> These are the fundamental heights of the conveyor at the top (where product enters) and bottom (where the product stops). The steeper this slope, the faster product can flow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The acceleration effect: <\/strong>The <em>acceleration effect<\/em> of spinning roller or wheel that&#8217;s still moving after a preceding box has rolled across it affects flow speeds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flow design:<\/strong> Boxes and other loads move faster in straight lines. Adding curves or turns reduces flow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Speed: too fast, too slow <\/strong>If your conveyor flows a little <em>too<\/em> well, you can adjust the pitch or use retarding plates to manage roll speeds. You can also add end stops for managing the end of the line. if the conveyor flows slowly, you can increase slope angle to speed things up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Conveyor type and specifications<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Conveyor type (roller or skatewheel):<\/strong>\u00a0Items flow faster on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1747\/skatewheel-conveyor-with-supports\">skatewheel<\/a> than they do on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1753\/light-duty-roller-conveyor-with-supports\">gravity roller<\/a> conveyors. Rollers work better for poor loads and more types of loads.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are bearings grease-packed or clean?<\/strong> Grease packed bearings tend to roll slower.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Load weight:<\/strong> Specifying conveyors so that they fit the weight of your load promotes good product flow. Rule of thumb is that the same type of load, on the same conveyor, at the same slope, will move faster when it&#8217;s heavier. Some very light loads will not move at all. Some very heavy loads may move too fast.\u00a0 A tote that weighs 10 pounds requires more slope than one that weighs 50 pounds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Line length:<\/strong> Cartons may accelerate on longer runs. Make sure they don&#8217;t move too fast for the operation or end of line process.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><strong>Load characteristics<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 296px; height: auto; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" src=\"\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/Grav-Images\/gravity-skatewheel-conveyor.jpg\" alt=\"gravity roller conveyor\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Firm, smooth loads flow better. Difficult loads tend to require rollers, and move slower. Very difficult loads&#8211;saggy, damaged, or inconsistent&#8211; are harder to convey. A firm carton conveys differently than a tote of the same weight, placed on the same slope. The differences are more pronounced when load bottoms aren&#8217;t consistent, rigid or easy to convey. Bags or other loads with irregular conveying surface will be harder to move than any smooth or rigid surface.<\/p>\n<h3>Test conveyor slope before operation<\/h3>\n<p>Always test product flow and slope before you begin using the conveyor. It&#8217;s relatively easy to adjust pitch before the conveyor goes into operation and you&#8217;re dealing with live loads. Be sure you know the largest\/smallest, lightest\/heaviest load you&#8217;ll be conveying.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1747\/skatewheel-conveyor-with-supports\">Gravity skatewheel conveyors<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1753\/light-duty-roller-conveyor-with-supports\">gravity roller conveyors<\/a><\/h3>\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 8px; float: right;\" src=\"\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/Grav-Images\/skatehweel-load.jpg\" alt=\"wheels under a box - skatewheel conveyor\" width=\"260\" height=\"177\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>Pitch, angle and speed<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Skatewheels need less pitch to convey the product in a decline situation than rollers.<\/li>\n<li>Lightweight loads and empty cartons flow easier on the skatewheel conveyor because it takes less force to start several wheels in motion than a roller.<\/li>\n<li>Skatewheels flow faster because they require less energy to move the load.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Skatewheels help maintain product orientation<\/h4>\n<p>Due to the natural differential action of skatewheel conveyors, conveyed products better maintain orientation while moving.\u00a0 This is especially desirable if the product moves around a curved section. As the load negotiates the curve, the skatewheels provide this differential action just as a tapered roller curve. Because each wheel turns independently,\u00a0 skatewheel conveyor is excellent for curves in a conveyor line.<\/p>\n<h4>Roller conveyors handle a much larger variety of loads and load types than skatewheels<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 8px; float: right;\" src=\"\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/Grav-Images\/skatewheel-no-load.jpg\" alt=\"skatwheel conveyor no load items\" width=\"204\" height=\"211\" \/>Drums, pails, and products with uneven or irregular bottoms don&#8217;t convey well on skatewheel conveyor &#8212; for those, specify rollers.\u00a0 Skatewheel loads need a smooth, solid and flat surface. Because they use plain ball bearings, use skatewheel conveyors should in clean, dry, dust-free environments.<\/p>\n<h4>Product type and size<\/h4>\n<p>Consider product size and characteristics\u00a0 when you specify gravity conveying systems<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Skatewheels require 3 axles and 10 wheels under the product bottom at all times.<\/li>\n<li>You&#8217;ll need at least 3 rollers beneath any load to properly flow and support it.<\/li>\n<li>Skatewheel is lighter duty and generally used in light duty installations.<\/li>\n<li>Rollers handle heavier, irregular loads.\u00a0Check your load vs. the conveyor&#8217;s listed capacity.<\/li>\n<li>Skatewheels extend above the conveyor frame to permit loads to overhang the sides, Don&#8217;t allow the width of the load to exceed the conveyor width by more than 25%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>More information<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Read our full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/3349\/gravity-conveyor-guide\">Guide to Gravity Conveyors<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Product specifications: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/1147\/gravity-conveyors\">Straight &amp; curve gravity conveyors<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Product specifications: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/4242\/flexible-gravity-roller-conveyor\">Flexible roller<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/category\/4223\/flexible-skatewheel-conveyor\">flexible skatewheel<\/a> systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Video: a guide to skatewheel selection<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/video\/frame.aspx?id=468\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Install Gravity conveyors on declines so that the infeed side sits higher than the end of the line for smooth product flow. \u00a0This is one of the easiest ways to move products quickly and economically. How can you set up your gravity conveyor for optimal product flow?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[205,344,854],"series":[],"class_list":["post-10935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conveyor","tag-roller-conveyors","tag-shipping-docks","tag-skate-wheel-conveyors"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2027-04-14 19:26:52","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10935"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33884,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10935\/revisions\/33884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10935"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=10935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}