Meeting the most challenging of conveyor requirements
Where the environment is especially harsh, or where the highest level of stability is required, or perhaps where there is a combination of the two, a different approach to conveyor chain can pay huge dividends, with significantly improved productivity.Glass conveying is a perfect example of the most challenging applications for conveyors. First there is the extreme heat as glass ware is produced. Then there is the inherent lack of stability of bottles, jars, drinking glasses and pressed ware such as bowls, car lights and larger items. We can think of many applications where demanding environments and the need for the very highest levels of stability mean that conventional chain conveyor simply can't cope.
Not only are conventional chain products simply not up to the extreme conditions, but they are also not flat enough to convey delicate products. Additionally, standard conveyor chains often don't suit smaller components, which could easily drop through the gaps. And a flat surface isn't just important for increased stability: on products which are produced hot and which are still soft as they enter the conveyor, an inherently flat surface helps to prevent any product damage.
We can see, then, that the issues that need to be addressed are the same familiar problems from any production environment: reducing downtime, eliminating waste and boosting productivity. So what is the solution in this particular case where the standard forms of conveyor chain can't cope? One answer is the range of Premium conveyor chains from Pennine Industrial Equipment. The company has been involved in the manufacture and supply of silent inverted tooth conveyor chain for the glass industry for over 30 years, so it knows a thing or two about the particular demands of this industry. But the products are equally suitable for use in other challenging conveyor applications.
The Premium conveyor chain was developed specifically to meet demanding handling requirements, and there are centre guide, side guide and multi guide options. In the centre guide variant, the double guide link plates in the centre of the chain fit into the groove in the centre of the sprocket teeth, keeping the chain aligned during operation, whereas in the side guide variant the guide links are fitted to each side of the chain and the sprocket fits between them to keep the chain aligned. The multi guide chains have been designed for stackers and cross conveyors, but they will meet the needs of other glass handling tasks and a myriad of applications outside of the glass industry. Each side of the chain is built up from a large number of guide links, typically about 25mm on each side.
All of the variants are available in link and spacer, all-link, double assembly and special assembly versions according to specific application requirements. Link and spacer chains are manufactured by assembling a single washer between each link plate, allowing the overall chain weight to be reduced by approximately 25%. The increased space between the link plates allows debris to fall through while providing greater air flow when under-belt cooling is required.
All-link chains are manufactured from 100% links to provide the maximum working surface and provide the smoothest handling of delicate or unstable products. Double assembly chains provide the best of both worlds, giving both a high degree of stability and the facility for under-belt cooling. Double assembly chains are manufactured with 100% more links than the original link and spacer chain, with a greater load bearing surface giving longer chain life. Pennine also offers low profile variants with links that are super flat.
Other News from Pennine Industrial Equipment Ltd

Latest news about Conveyors & conveying components
- Conveyor system grows with your requirements
- Flexlink celebrates four successful decades of material flow solutions
- Interroll receives major order for German supermarket chain
- Interroll presents new high-performance crossbelt sorter
- Vacuum conveyor for non-woven strips
- New range of conveyor components extend design flexibility
- Rockwell Automation provides expanded linear motion control system with improved flexibility
- Interroll becomes the latest AMHSA member
- Interroll’s second plant in Atlanta starts operation
- Less planning effort for material flow solutions
- Three-axis handling with tray recirculation system
- Vertical mounting helps save space
- Three-axis handling with tray recirculation system
- CKF Systems is selected to be part of the Rolling on Interroll programme
- Digital twin proves conveyor concept for coffee producer
- MK delivers belt conveyors for PPE mask production
- Nearly two kilometres of metric pitch conveyor chain is made in record time
- Belt conveyors for all automation needs
- Interroll to deliver crossbelt sorters to Swiss reference customer
- Drum motors make butter conveyor more compact and energy efficient
- Interlinking for canister transport with a bridge
- Maximising efficiency and flexibility in optical testing of airbag diffusers
- Walking the extra mile to upgrade Andrea’s distribution
- High speed transportation for carton forming machine
- Autonomy restored to cast parts production line
- Interroll announces expansion of drum motor platform and conveying solutions
- Conveyor solutions for chilled and deep-freeze environments
- Flexible transport system can future-proof industry
- Drum motors rise to cranberry challenge
- ACOPOStrak Independent Shuttle Transport systems UK debut at Drives & Controls 2018
- Curved modular belt conveyor from MK
- Precision flow control for efficient, accurate pneumatic conveying systems
- Compact curve added to Versamove transfer system
- Destacking technology transforms retailer’s apple packing process
- Drum motors withstand clean-in-place processes
- Flexible transport system
- Packed, sealed, sold, sent
- Indexing chain conveyor expands the MK range
- Automated warehouse relies on modular conveyor
- Boost productivity with anti-sloshing
- Intelligent drive is tailored for material handling conveyors
- Pallet system now includes indexing chain conveyor
- Appliance manufacturer turns to MK for accumulating pallet recirculation system
- Efficient material flow for confectionery manufacturer
- Drum motors versus gear motors in food conveyors
- Mitsubishi Electric previews Smart Carriage for linear transfer systems
- Multi-carrier system from Festo and Siemens offers flexibility for Industry 4.0
- Minitec develops and supplies 9 metre conveyor system
- Contactless handling and transport of objects
- Conveyor components at PPMA Total
- Festo highlights Multi-Carrier system at PPMA Total
- Heavy duty linear motor based transport system
- Linear transport technology for conveying and assembly
- Materials handling for the food industry
- Safe, quick and easy transport of products and heavy loads
- The right transfer system is not an ‘off the shelf’ solution
- Rockwell’s iTRAK wins Technical Innovation of the Year Award
- Expanded conveyor range from MK
- Speed controller for gravity roller conveyor
- Interroll’s MSC 50 magnetic speed controller easily handles gravity
- Smart conveying systems optimise tyre manufacturers' material flow
- Modular, compact, versatile pallet transfer
- Overhead conveyor improves productivity for bottling plant
- Improved transport system for heavy duty applications
- Improved transport system for heavy duty applications
- iTrak transport solution from Rockwell Automation
- Applied Automation introduces Carryline conveyors at PPMA
- Controlling back running of inclined conveyors
- Conveyor drives on show at PPMA
- Modular conveyor boosts flexibility
- Synchronising conveyor belts with robots
- Siemens supplies the world's biggest gearless conveyor drive system
- Modular conveyor design boosts efficiency for plastics manufacturer
- Astec supply a further high speed carton conveyor system
- Conveyor technology products for use in refrigeration applications
- Fruit conveyor is space efficient
- Conveyor platform is a modular solution
- Inserts fed accurately to injection moulding machine
- Interroll to manufacture Interroll Portec belt curves in Europe
- Transfer system is both reliable and customisable
- Interroll drives technology saves energy at Hermes Fulfilment
- Reduced design effort and simplified installation
- Tray transfer and handling
- Interroll's modular conveyor platform wins iF Design Award 2015
- Sauber and Interroll extend partnership
- Interroll and Sauber F1 Team extend partnership
- Synchronous drum motor for servo drive applications
- Conveying and sorting in one
- Rubber industry to benefit from Hepco ring track technology
- Modular roller tracks from Elesa
- Hal Leonard chooses Interroll technology at new distribution facility
- Newly developed profile for driving various types of conveyor belts
- Cleaner cooking with steel belts
- Improved quality, increased production
- Keeping the running costs down
- Optimum conveyor drive solutions
- Interroll presents new modular conveyor platform for internal logistics
- Danfoss conveyor solution offers total flexibility in your plant design
- Miniature conveyors
- Modular approach to conveying solutions
- New highly efficient roller conveyor runs smoothly
- New range of clean room smooth ball transfer units
- Villeroy and Boch relies on Interroll
- Interroll brings F1 to LogiMAT
- Material flow study confirms Interroll benefits
- Smooth transfer of transported goods onto downstream conveyors
- Interroll expands to new premises to meet demand
- Light industrial belt conveyor
- Extrusions for materials handling
- An aid to boosting food process efficiency
- Open the box to simple, cost effective conveying solutions
- Spiral conveyor for high throughput materials
- Circulation conveyor builds on modular profile range
- Cycle chain conveyor from MK
- Modular plastic wide belt conveyor
- Saving energy with conveyor roller drives
- New Lazy Susan rotary table for £1600
- The alternative conveyor
- Pulleys as tough as steel but just half the weight
- Pickchain helps make pick and place tasks more efficient
- Next generation stainless steel conveyors
- A single, endless ribbon of steel will solve problems by itself
- Dust proof conveyors for demanding tasks
- Plastic conveyor chains reduce energy requirements
- Fast turnaround on belt conveyor systems
- Small parts handling reinvented with new internal drive system
- Stainless steel conveyors for the food and pharmaceutical industries
- Modular conveyors
- New range of heavy duty pallet conveyors
- Five times greater flow through gives a productivity boost for delicate parts
- Belts and chains for conveyors
- Compact stopper cylinders for conveyor applications
- Components for conveying
- Flex turn conveyors ideal for delicate parts
- Conveyor fully compatible with machine framing components
- Transfer system handles high loads
- Decentralised drives and automation components
- Drive makes roller conveyors even more efficient
- Powered rollers are big on versatility
- Belt scraper design simplifies maintenance
- More options for your conveyor requirements
- Transport heavy goods easily and quietly
- Hygienic conveying
- Plastic fantastic as a conveying solution
- As flexible as Lego
- Conveyor components added to machine framing range
- Conveyors: repair or refurbish?
- Flexible components build low cost, precision system
- More options for less money
- Is this the last conveyor system you'll ever need?