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Spiral Conveyor (Vertical Unit Load)

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Product Description

The Spiral Conveyor (also known as a spiral lift or vertical screw conveyor) is a compact, continuous conveying system designed for vertical transportation of unit loads such as cartons, cases, totes, and containers between different floors or elevations . Unlike traditional inclined belt conveyors that require significant floor space, the spiral design achieves vertical elevation within a minimal footprint .

The system features a spiral-shaped conveying path formed by a slat-style belt, modular plastic chain, or roller bed that carries products upward or downward in a continuous flow . The belt is driven by a central drive system with the spiral path supported by guide rails. The design allows for smooth, reliable operation with low noise and minimal maintenance .

Spiral conveyors can be configured with various infeed and outfeed tangent positions (typically at 45° increments) to adapt to different plant layouts . They are available in single-spiral or multi-spiral configurations, with intermediate entry/exit points for multi-level applications .

Specifications

Parameter	Range / Options
Conveying height	1m – 20m+ (customizable)
Conveyor width	85mm – 800mm+ (customizable; common: 400mm, 500mm, 800mm)
Slat/Belt width	8″ – 36″ (standard)
Spiral radius	650mm – 1300mm (customizable)
Spiral pitch/layer height	≥ 100mm (customizable based on product height)
Spiral angle	Typically 15° – 20°
Belt/Chain Material	POM/PP (engineering plastic modular chain), Stainless Steel (mesh belt), Rubber/friction slats
Frame Material	Carbon steel (powder-coated), Stainless Steel (SUS304), Aluminum Alloy
Conveying speed	1 – 30 m/min (adjustable; up to 60m/min for some models)
Load capacity	Up to 30–75 lbs per linear foot; heavy-duty models handle up to 75 lbs/ft
Conveying direction	Upward or downward; clockwise or counterclockwise rotation
Drive power	0.75kW – 7.5kW (model-dependent)

Applications

Spiral conveyors are widely used for vertical transportation of unit loads in space-constrained environments :

E-commerce & Warehousing: Cartons, cases, totes, parcels in distribution centers and multi-level order picking operations

Food & Beverage: Shrink-wrapped bottle packs, trays, PET containers, cartons in filling and packaging lines

Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics: Small packages, containers, medical supplies

Tobacco & Printing: Cartons, boxes, packaged goods

Postal & Express Delivery: Parcels, mail, packages

Typical Applications:

Connecting different floors in multi-story factories and warehouses

Integrating with sorting systems for automated logistics workflows

Creating buffer zones or accumulating products during continuous production

Not Suitable For: Bulk materials (powders, granules) – refer to our Screw Conveyor (Bulk Material) product line for those applications.

Our Advantages

Feature	Description
Space-saving design	Compact spiral footprint – significantly smaller than conventional incline conveyors or elevators; saves valuable floor space
Continuous conveying	Provides uninterrupted product flow – faster and more reliable than batch-operated lifts or elevators
Flexible layout	Infeed and outfeed positions can be customized at 45° increments; multi-level entry/exit options available
Gentle product handling	Smooth spiral path ensures stable, damage-free transport of cartons, totes, and packaged goods
High throughput	Handles up to 75 lbs per linear foot; speeds up to 30m/min – suitable for high-volume operations
Low maintenance	Proprietary rolling friction belt design eliminates sliding movements and wear strips – extending service life and reducing maintenance costs
Quiet operation	Low noise levels – suitable for noise-sensitive production environments
Bidirectional operation	Supports both upward and downward conveying; clockwise or counterclockwise rotation
Easy integration	Modular design with simple transfers to and from connecting conveyors; horizontal infeed/outfeed sections available
Customizable	Height, width, spiral radius, layer spacing, and speed can be tailored to specific requirements

FAQ

Q1: What types of products can this spiral conveyor handle?
This conveyor is designed for unit loads – cartons, cases, trays, totes, shrink-wrapped items, plastic containers, buckets, and other packaged goods. Products should have dimensions that allow stable transport on the spiral surface (typically up to 200×250×300mm or larger depending on model) .

Q2: What is the difference between this spiral conveyor and a screw conveyor for bulk materials?
This unit uses a slat-style belt, modular chain, or rollers forming a spiral path, designed for unit loads (cartons, totes, containers). A screw conveyor (auger) uses a rotating helical screw blade to transport bulk materials (powders, granules, grains). They serve completely different applications. Please refer to our separate product line for bulk material screw conveyors.

Q3: What is the maximum conveying height?
Standard models can achieve up to 20 meters of elevation . For heavier loads, high-capacity models can reach up to 35 feet (approximately 10.7m) with a single drive . Custom configurations are available for greater heights.

Q4: Can the conveyor handle both upward and downward conveying?
Yes. The conveyor supports both upward (lifting) and downward (lowering) operation . The rotation direction can be set to clockwise or counterclockwise as required.

Q5: What belt materials are available?
Common options include: POM/PP plastic modular chain – hygienic, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean; Stainless steel mesh belt – high temperature resistance, ideal for food processing; Friction slat belts (nylon composite with optional rubber inserts) – high grip, low maintenance, suitable for most packaged goods .

Q6: How much floor space does it save?
Spiral conveyors require significantly less floor space than conventional inclined belt conveyors to achieve the same elevation change . The spiral design can reduce the footprint by up to 40% compared to straight conveyors, making it ideal for space-constrained facilities.

Q7: Is the system easy to integrate with existing conveyors?
Yes. The modular design includes horizontal infeed and outfeed sections for easy transfer to and from connecting conveyors . Infeed/outfeed tangent positions can be customized to match your existing layout.

Q8: What are the maintenance requirements?
Maintenance is minimal. The design features rolling friction (no sliding wear strips) and sealed bearings, which extends component life . Routine inspection of belt tension, guide rails, and drive system is recommended. Modular belt sections can be replaced individually if damaged.

Q9: What power supply is required?
Typically 380V/50Hz three-phase (or 220V/380V depending on region), with power ratings from 0.75kW to 7.5kW based on model and load requirements .

Q10: Can the speed be adjusted?
Yes. Variable speed control is available via frequency inverter, typically ranging from 1 to 30 m/min, allowing adaptation to different product types and throughput requirements

Service Phone

+86 15098953351

stkconveyor@163.com

Address

Jinan，Shandong, China

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Company Profile

Jinan Stark Machinery Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of conveying equipment, headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China. With over 10 years of industry experience, we specialize in the R&D, production, and sales of high-quality material handling solutions.

Our products are exported to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, and beyond, earning trust from clients worldwide. We provide end-to-end services, including technical consulting, design, installation, commissioning, and after-sales support.