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A conveyor system is an investment that you don\u2019t take lightly\u2014you want the best equipment you can buy for your money. The most obvious cost of that equipment will be the cost on the initial invoice, but there\u2019s more to consider when purchasing a conveyor…far more. That\u2019s why you should consider the Total Cost of Ownership<\/strong> for your system, and what you can do to decrease it in the long-term. What are the total costs<\/em>, and how can you reduce them?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we said, when it comes to purchasing a conveyor system, the initial cost is only one piece of the puzzle. The long-term costs associated with your conveyor fluctuate depending on the controls, power train and other components of your system. The Total Cost of Ownership takes those factors into account over the period of time you use your conveyor. That means that with a greater initial investment and more applicable system, you could decrease your Total Cost of Ownership as shown below.<\/p>\n Sounds pretty good, right? But before you agree to a higher initial cost, it’s important to know what goes into those lower costs of ownership.<\/p>\n To calculate your annual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), you need 4 pieces of information:<\/p>\n This means that the Total Cost of Ownership decreases<\/strong> as the Operational Costs and Maintenance Costs decrease<\/strong>, and while the Useful Life increases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There are a few ways to control your costs in the years to come with your conveyor.<\/p>\n This is essential. Select the right conveyor with the adaptability you\u2019ll need for your system. This is the most important piece of the puzzle, since no amount of maintenance will be as expensive as having to replace a conveyor altogether because it doesn\u2019t work for your application.<\/p>\n Use a sleep feature to cut off power to zones or the entire conveyor when it isn\u2019t in use, and you can save 10-20% in energy costs for belt-driven live roller conveyors and 99% on 24-volt systems. Not only does this save on energy costs\u2014it reduces wear, thereby reducing maintenance and spare parts.<\/p>\n With the right controls, you can also adjust the speed of your conveyor to adapt to your throughput requirements. Run the conveyor at the speed appropriate for the season.<\/p>\n While the chain and sprocket drive is the most popular default in the industry, it is the component that requires the most frequent maintenance. Replacing these components with a direct drive may add to your initial cost, but can reduce the spare parts and maintenance costs associated with the components.<\/p>\n By taking the time and assessing your conveyor system with enough foresight, you can save yourself at least thousands of dollars down the line. A more detailed article on this topic can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat is Total Cost of Ownership, and why is it important?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nHow do I calculate Total Cost of Ownership?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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So, how do I control long-term costs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
1. Buy the right conveyor<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Configure your controls<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
3. Buy a more efficient power train<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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4. Eliminate power transmission components with a direct drive when possible<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Remember: A system designed for your future needs is the best way to slash total cost of ownership<\/h3>\n
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