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Conveyor Speed Matching Calculator

Work out conveyor speed matching instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Conveyor Speed Matching Calculator

To open a gap between touching parts, the downstream conveyor must run faster in the ratio of the new pitch to the part length. Speed follows from rate times pitch, and if the upstream rate exceeds downstream capacity no speed change fixes it — accumulation or upstream throttling is required.

Formula

Conveyor matching

rate = speed / part pitch; downstream speed = rate x (part length + gap)

Worked example

With the default values below, Conveyor Speed Matching Calculator returns Downstream speed required of 0.35. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Upstream conveyor speed
0.25 m/s
Part length
180 mm
Required gap between parts
120 mm
Downstream capacity
70 parts/min

Results

Downstream speed required
0.35 m/s
Upstream part rate
83.33 parts/min
Part pitch downstream
300.00 mm
Line balance
Upstream over-feeds - accumulation needed

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Conveyor matching
  3. 3Downstream speed required= 0.35 m/s
  4. 4Upstream part rate= 83.33 parts/min
  5. 5Part pitch downstream= 300.00 mm
  6. 6Line balance= Upstream over-feeds - accumulation needed

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a gap at all?

Downstream operations — labelling, checkweighing, diverting and vision inspection — need separated parts to act on individually.

Can I create a gap by slowing the upstream belt?

No. Slowing upstream reduces the rate but not the touching condition. Speed increase downstream is what stretches the pitch.

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