Carryline vertical slat conveyors explained

Three ways to go up, and how to choose

This is really three products under one heading, and picking the right one is most of the job. Side-grip holds the product from both sides and carries it up a steep slope in continuous flow. Lift-style indexes like an elevator, stepping product up or down, and can buffer. Friction chain with a top brush is the economical option for light product on a steep slope. Continuous flow, buffering or budget: pick which of those three matters most on your line and the configuration follows from it.

Side-grip, up to 90 degrees

Side-grip conveyors grip the product from the side to move it up or down slopes as steep as roughly 90 degrees, with no stops and no transitions on the way. That last part is the real benefit. A product that is gripped the whole way keeps its spacing and orientation, so what leaves the top of the elevator is in the same order and pitch as what entered the bottom, and the machine downstream does not have to re-find anything. Grip pressure is adjustable, which is what makes it usable on packaging that would crush under a fixed setting.

Lift-style, when you also need a buffer

A lift-style vertical works like an elevator: it steps product upward or downward rather than carrying it continuously, and it can be built with buffer levels. That buffering is the reason to choose it. If the machine above runs in bursts and the line below runs steadily, something has to absorb the difference, and a lift with buffer levels does it inside the same footprint instead of asking for a separate accumulation lane. Where flow is steady and there is nothing to absorb, side-grip is simpler.

Friction chain with top brush

The friction chain option pushes product against a friction chain with a brush from above, which maintains the slope without gripping from the sides. It is the economical answer for light products on steep slopes. The honest limitation is in the name: it depends on friction, so the achievable angle is product dependent rather than fixed, and anything heavy, slippery or top-heavy belongs on side-grip instead. It is worth trialling with real product rather than assuming from the packaging drawing.

Products, grip pressure and damage

Typical products are bottles, cans, jars, cartons, pouches and small packs, with the chain or grip style and the guide settings specified to your product geometry and surface. Damage is prevented by adjustable side-grip pressure, smooth transfers and product-matched guides rather than by running slowly. Set the pressure to the weakest pack you run, not the sturdiest, and check it again after a packaging change, because a lighter carton on the same settings is exactly how scuff marks start appearing without anything on the line having been touched.

Footprint, and what it replaces

The footprint is much smaller than a long incline conveyor, and vertical units are designed to fit tight spaces and to wrap around existing equipment where the layout demands it. That is the whole reason they exist: bridging a height difference quickly, without giving up metres of floor to a shallow ramp. Where the elevation needs to happen gradually and there is room for it, a spiral slat conveyor is the gentler alternative and holds product flat throughout.

Throughput and what actually sets it

Throughput depends on product size, spacing and elevation height rather than on a headline speed, so chain speed and grip pressure are sized to your target rate. The Carryline system as a whole runs between 5 and 50 m/min, with higher or lower on request, and works from -20 C to +60 C. Bring the rate you need and the height you need to climb, and the configuration and speed come out of those two rather than being chosen first.

Specification

Configurations: Side-grip, lift-style and friction chain with top brush
Side-grip slope: Up to approximately 90 degrees, continuous flow with no stops or transitions
Lift-style: Indexes like an elevator, with optional buffer levels to absorb speed differences
Friction chain: Economical option for light products on steep slopes, with a top brush maintaining traction
Grip control: Adjustable side-grip pressure with product-matched guides and smooth transfers

Products handled: Bottles, cans, jars, cartons, pouches and small packs
Materials: Anodised aluminium or stainless steel across the Carryline system, with food-approved plastic chain
Speed range: 5 to 50 m/min across the Carryline system, higher or lower on request
Temperature: -20 C to +60 C, higher or lower on request
Controls: Photo-eyes and encoders to PLC and HMI for start/stop, jam detection, spacing and handshakes

FAQs about the Vertical Slat Conveyor

Quick answers on slopes, products, throughput, buffering, footprint, safety and maintenance.

How steep can a vertical slat conveyor run?

Side-grip models can handle very steep slopes (up to ~90°), while friction-chain solutions suit steep but product-dependent angles.

Which products are suitable?

Bottles, cans, jars, cartons, pouches and small packs. We specify chain/grip style and guide settings to match your product geometry and surface.

What’s the difference between side-grip and lift-style?

Side-grip offers continuous flow on steep slopes; lift-style indexes like an elevator and can buffer to absorb speed differences between machines.

When is friction-chain the right choice?

For light products where an economical, compact steep-slope elevation works, paired with a top brush to maintain traction.

Can the system buffer products?

Yes, lift-style verticals can include buffer levels, and continuous systems can be paired with accumulation upstream/downstream.

How fast can it run?

Throughput depends on product size, spacing and elevation height. We size chain speed and grip pressure to meet your target rate.

What footprint is required?

Much smaller than long incline conveyors. Vertical slat units are designed to fit tight spaces and wrap around existing equipment if needed.

How are products protected from damage?

Adjustable side-grip pressure, smooth transfers and product-matched guides prevent scuffing and deformation.

How does it integrate with controls?

Photo-eyes and encoders link to PLC/HMI for start/stop, jam detect, spacing and handshakes with upstream/downstream equipment.

What maintenance is involved?

Routine inspection of chains/grips/brushes, guide wear strips and safety devices; cleaning is straightforward with accessible frames and covers.

Vertical Slat Conveyors

Carryline vertical slat conveyors explained

Three ways to go up, and how to choose

Side-grip, up to 90 degrees

Lift-style, when you also need a buffer

Friction chain with top brush

Products, grip pressure and damage

Footprint, and what it replaces

Throughput and what actually sets it

Controls, safety and upkeep

Specification

Where the Vertical Slat Conveyor Excels

When to Choose Vertical Slat

Options and Configurations

Typical Applications

FAQs about the Vertical Slat Conveyor

Downloads

Similar Products

Aluminium Slat Conveyors

Chain Conveyor

Corner Conveyors

Flexible Conveyors

Gravity Roller Conveyors

Light Duty Belt Conveyors

Let's Connect

Vertical Slat Conveyors

Carryline vertical slat conveyors explained

Three ways to go up, and how to choose

Side-grip, up to 90 degrees

Lift-style, when you also need a buffer

Friction chain with top brush

Products, grip pressure and damage

Footprint, and what it replaces

Throughput and what actually sets it

Controls, safety and upkeep

Specification

Where the Vertical Slat Conveyor Excels

When to Choose Vertical Slat

Options and Configurations

Typical Applications

FAQs about the Vertical Slat Conveyor

Downloads

Related guides and services

Similar Products

Aluminium Slat Conveyors

Chain Conveyor

Corner Conveyors

Flexible Conveyors

Gravity Roller Conveyors

Light Duty Belt Conveyors

Let's Connect