Comparing Spiral Conveyor Systems: Which Technology is Best for Your Business?

Efficient handling of products in industries like food processing and consumer packaged goods (CPG) often comes down to selecting the correct type of spiral conveyor. These conveyors are highly valued for their ability to transport products over a compact footprint, saving space while maintaining production flow. With three main options available—Positive Drive, OutRunner, and Slip Drive—choosing the right system is crucial for optimizing performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This blog breaks down the advantages of each type of spiral conveyor to help businesses understand which option suits their needs best.

Positive Drive Spiral Conveyors: A Modern Approach

Positive Drive Spirals are designed to offer ultra-smooth chain motion and operate with low belt tension. This conveyor type uses a stainless-steel grid belt with driving tabs on the inside edge that engage with vertical ribs on the central drum. This setup ensures the belt remains firmly in place, even when handling oily products or heavy loads.

Critical Benefits of Positive Drive Spirals:

• Precise Product Orientation: Positive Drive conveyors keep products aligned as they move through the system, making them ideal for businesses that require accuracy in product handling.
• Reduced Belt Tension: The system reduces strain on the belt, minimizing wear and tear and increasing the equipment’s overall lifespan.
• Great for Oily and Heavy Products: The design prevents slippage and ensures consistent operation even when the products are oily or heavier than average.
• Easily Retrofittable: Businesses looking to upgrade older systems can benefit from the straightforward installation of Positive Drive Spirals.

The spiral freezer manufacturers recommend it for businesses facing product movement or operational issues caused by oils and other product characteristics.

OutRunner Spiral Conveyors: External Drive Technology

OutRunner Spiral Conveyors offers a unique design that eliminates the need for a central drive cage. Instead, each 360-degree revolution is powered by a vertical line shaft with sprockets driving the external edge of the chain. This system evenly distributes the load across each tier, reducing strain on individual components and offering a more balanced performance.

Critical Benefits of OutRunner Spirals:

• No Central Drive Cage: OutRunner conveyors eliminate the need for a central drive, offering increased product handling and movement flexibility.
• Fully Reversible: These conveyors can operate in both directions, making them versatile for businesses with varying operational needs.
• Low Power Requirements: The external drive mechanism requires less power, reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
• High-Speed Operation: OutRunner conveyors can handle fast-moving production lines, making them suitable for industries that prioritize speed without sacrificing product integrity.

OutRunner Spirals are a great addition for businesses that need flexible, high-speed, and energy-efficient product handling.

Slip Drive Spiral Conveyors: Conventional but Reliable

Although Slip Drive Spiral Conveyors rely on older technology, they remain a solid choice for businesses looking for simple, cost-effective solutions. This conveyor type uses a central drive cage, which drives the belt through friction created by the wraps around the cage. An auxiliary drive ensures the belt maintains the correct speed and tension.

Benefits of Slip Drive Spirals:

• Established Technology: Slip-drive conveyors have been unused for many years, making them a trusted and proven option for businesses that value simplicity.
• Capability: These conveyors can handle larger product loads, making them ideal for businesses with high-volume production lines.
• Cost-Effective: Slip-drive conveyors often have fewer components and a more straightforward design, which reduces their cost in terms of initial investment and ongoing maintenance.
• Large Variety of Spiral Belting: Businesses can choose from many options to suit their specific product requirements.

Despite being older, Slip-Drive Spiral Conveyors continue to serve as dependable options for businesses with high-volume operations and a focus on minimizing upfront costs.

Choosing the Right Spiral Conveyor for Business Needs

Several factors must be considered when selecting a spiral conveyor. Each type of conveyor—positive Drive, OutRunner, or Slip Drive—offers unique advantages. The right choice depends on the product type, operational needs, and budget.

Factors to Consider:

• Product Type: Oily products or heavy items benefit from Positive Drive Spirals, which ensure smooth and consistent movement.
• Speed Requirements: For businesses requiring fast production lines, OutRunner Spirals provides high-speed capability and flexibility for diverse products.
• Footprint and Space: Spiral conveyors are prized for their compact design. Positive Drive Spirals offer a streamlined solution for businesses needing precise handling, while OutRunner Spirals can handle higher volumes in less space.
• Budget: Slip-drive spirals remain the most cost-effective solution, ideal for businesses that prioritize simplicity and lower initial investment.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Each spiral conveyor technology—Positive Drive, OutRunner, and Slip Drive—offers specific benefits depending on the business’s needs. Positive Drive Spirals excel at handling oily and heavy products with precision. OutRunner Spirals are ideal for high-speed, energy-efficient operations. Meanwhile, Slip Drive Spirals remain cost-effective and reliable for large, simple systems. Businesses must carefully assess their product handling needs, budget, and operational goals to select the best spiral conveyor for their operations.

Conovey has a long history of building high-quality spiral cooling conveyors and freezing systems. We offer freezing solutions for the food processing industry. Spiral conveyors are versatile and effectively used for elevating, lowering, cooling, freezing, and more. One of the most significant advantages of these conveyors is their ability to provide thousands of linear feet of conveying surface in a compact footprint. With three distinct technologies—Positive Drive, OutRunner, and Slip Drive—Conovey offers tailored solutions catering to different industries’ diverse needs.