- Product Overview
- SS Slat Conveyor
- Modular Belt Conveyor
- Roller Conveyor
- Wire Mesh Conveyor
- SS Slat vs Modular Belt vs Roller vs Wire Mesh
- Technical Specifications
- Conveyor Selection: A 6-Step How-To
- USP, EP, and Annex 1 Compliance
- Inline Integration with Filling & Packaging
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Installation, Validation, and Support
- Request a Quote
Product Overview
A packing conveyor belt is the workhorse of any pharmaceutical packaging line. It moves filled, sealed, and labeled containers — bottles, vials, ampoules, cartons — between stations, accumulating when upstream is faster than downstream, and rejecting defective product identified by upstream inspection. In pharma applications the conveyor is built from SS 304 or SS 316L stainless steel, has a VFD for speed control, supports quick belt change for format changeover, and is fully documented for GMP use.
Four configurations dominate pharmaceutical packaging:
- SS Slat Conveyor — heavy-duty, incline-capable, used for filled glass bottles, jars, and heavy cartons. 5–50 kg/m payload, up to 30° incline.
- Modular Belt Conveyor — most common, food-grade plastic or SS modular belt for general packaging lines. 1–30 kg/m payload, 2–60 m/min.
- Roller Conveyor — accumulation, gravity or powered, for carton handling and case packing. Variable length, zero-pressure accumulation.
- Wire Mesh Conveyor — for spray, drying, or cooling tunnels where airflow through the belt is required.
Most lines use a combination of these — for example, a modular belt from the labeler to the cartoner, then a roller conveyor to the case packer, then a slat conveyor on the incline to the palletizer.
50 kg/m: Max payload (slat)
60 m/min: Max speed (modular)
30°: Max incline (slat)
SS 304/316L: Pharma-grade
SS Slat Conveyor
What it is and when to use it
The SS Slat Conveyor uses a chain-driven slat surface (typically SS 304 flat bars or shaped slats) running on an SS frame. The chain is driven by a geared motor with a VFD for speed control. Output: 0.5 to 30 m/min with payload up to 50 kg/m, with inclines up to 30° — making it the right choice for filled glass bottles, jars, and heavy cartons at line transitions.
Use this machine when: you need to move heavy containers (filled glass bottles, 500 ml+ vials, jar formats); you need an incline or decline between line elevations; you need a robust, easy-to-clean belt for production-floor washdown; or you need a low-maintenance conveyor that runs 24/7.
Key Engineering Features
- SS 304 / SS 316L flat-bar slats: 50 mm – 200 mm wide, 3 mm – 6 mm thick, welded to a chain link on each end. Polished finish, no sharp edges, no dead legs.
- SS chain drive: SS roller chain with food-grade lubrication, oversized for the rated payload. Chain tensioner accessible from the side of the conveyor.
- VFD speed control: 0.5–30 m/min, recipe-driven from the line PLC. Soft start / soft stop to prevent container tip-over.
- SS 304 / SS 316L frame: 50 mm × 50 mm SS square tube, fully welded, with adjustable feet (±50 mm) and leveling pads.
- Side guides: adjustable UHMW-PE side guides to contain the container and prevent drift; tool-free adjustment.
- Tool-free belt change: chain-master links and quick-release slat pins for changeover in under 30 minutes per section.
- PLC + HMI control: Delta / Siemens PLC, 7″ color touchscreen, recipe storage, alarm history, 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail.
- Safety: CE marked per EN 60204-1, full guarding, emergency stops, motor overload protection.
Specifications — SS Slat Conveyor
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Payload | 5–50 kg per metre |
| Speed | 0.5–30 metres per minute with VFD speed control |
| Belt Width | 100 mm–800 mm |
| Slat Material | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Slat Surface | Polished surface with Ra ≤ 0.8 µm |
| Frame | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Chain | Stainless-steel roller chain with food-grade lubrication |
| Motor | 0.37–2.2 kW geared motor with VFD control |
| Incline Capability | Up to 30° |
| Section Length | 1 m–12 m per conveyor section |
| Side Guides | Adjustable UHMW-PE side guides with tool-free positioning |
| Power Supply | 230 V / 415 V AC, 3-phase, 50–60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 0.37–2.2 kW per conveyor section |
| Belt Change Time | Less than 30 minutes per section |
| Cleaning | Wipe-down cleaning using 70% IPA or a mild detergent solution |
| Typical Footprint for 3 m Section | 3,000 × (belt width + 200) × 850 mm |
| Warranty | 12-month comprehensive warranty with lifetime technical support |
Modular Belt Conveyor
What it is and when to use it
The Modular Belt Conveyor uses an interlocking plastic or SS belt (FDA-grade PP, POM, or SS) running on an SS frame with end-drive sprockets. The belt can run straight or curve (90° inside / outside curves) with side-flexing variants. Output: 2 to 60 m/min with payload up to 30 kg/m — making it the most common conveyor on general pharmaceutical packaging lines.
Use this machine when: you need a general-purpose conveyor for bottles, vials, and cartons; the line layout includes 90° curves; you need a quick belt change for format changeover; or you need an easy-to-clean, food-grade belt for production-floor washdown.
Key Engineering Features
- Modular belt: FDA-grade PP (polypropylene, white), POM (acetal, blue), or SS (for high-temperature or washdown). All materials food-contact compliant per FDA 21 CFR 177 and EU 10/2011.
- Side-flexing capability: standard belt runs straight; side-flexing variant supports 90° inside / outside curves with 600 mm – 1,200 mm turn radius.
- SS 304 / SS 316L frame: fully welded, with adjustable feet (±50 mm) and leveling pads.
- VFD speed control: 2–60 m/min, recipe-driven from the line PLC. Soft start / soft stop to prevent container tip-over.
- End-drive or center-drive: end-drive for short straight sections; center-drive for long sections and curves.
- Tool-free belt change: quick-release rod for belt removal in under 15 minutes per section. Belt is CIP-compatible.
- Side guides: adjustable SS side guides; tool-free adjustment.
- PLC + HMI control: Delta / Siemens PLC, 7″ color touchscreen, recipe storage, alarm history, 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail.
- Safety: CE marked per EN 60204-1, full guarding, emergency stops, motor overload protection.
Specifications — Modular Belt Conveyor
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Payload | 1–30 kg per metre |
| Speed | 2–60 metres per minute with VFD speed control |
| Belt Width | 100 mm–1,200 mm |
| Belt Material | FDA-grade PP, POM or stainless-steel modular belt |
| Belt Pitch | 12.7 mm, 19.05 mm, 25.4 mm or 50.8 mm, depending on the belt size and application |
| Frame | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Drive System | End-drive configuration for short conveyors or centre-drive configuration for long and curved conveyors |
| Motor | 0.37–1.5 kW geared motor with VFD control |
| Curve Capability | 90° inside or outside curves using a side-flex belt with a radius of 600–1,200 mm |
| Section Length | 0.5 m–20 m per conveyor section |
| Side Guides | Adjustable SS304 stainless-steel side guides with tool-free positioning |
| Power Supply | 230 V / 415 V AC, 3-phase, 50–60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 0.37–1.5 kW per conveyor section |
| Belt Change Time | Less than 15 minutes per conveyor section |
| Cleaning | CIP-compatible belt with frame wipe-down using 70% IPA |
| Typical Footprint for 3 m Section | 3,000 × (belt width + 200) × 850 mm |
| Warranty | 12-month comprehensive warranty with lifetime technical support |
Roller Conveyor
What it is and when to use it
The Roller Conveyor uses a series of SS or galvanized steel rollers (typically 50 mm – 100 mm diameter) on an SS frame. It can be gravity (no motor, downhill feed), powered (driven rollers, VFD speed), or zero-pressure accumulation (ZPA, with photo-eyes controlling each zone to accumulate product without back-pressure). Output: 5 to 60 m/min, with payloads up to 100 kg/m.
Use this machine when: you are moving cartons, cases, or totes; you need accumulation between line sections; you need a low-friction conveyor for hand-pack stations; or you need a modular conveyor that can be reconfigured as the line layout changes.
Key Engineering Features
- Roller material: SS 304 (standard for pharma), galvanized steel (general purpose), or PU-coated (delicate containers).
- Roller diameter: 50 mm – 100 mm, with precision bearings for low-noise operation (< 65 dB(A)).
Specifications — Roller Conveyor
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Payload | 10–100 kg per metre |
| Speed | 5–60 metres per minute for powered conveyors with VFD control, or gravity-driven operation for downhill movement |
| Roller Diameter | 50 mm–100 mm |
| Roller Pitch | 75 mm–200 mm |
| Roller Material | SS304 stainless steel as standard, with galvanised or PU-coated roller options |
| Frame | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Drive System | VFD-controlled driven rollers for powered conveyors or non-powered rollers for gravity conveyors |
| Accumulation Mode | Zero-pressure accumulation (ZPA) with photoelectric sensor-based zone control |
| Motor | 0.37–0.75 kW geared motor with VFD control |
| Section Length | 1 m–6 m per conveyor section |
| Power Supply | 230 V / 415 V AC, 3-phase, 50–60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 0.37–0.75 kW per powered conveyor section |
| Warranty | 12-month comprehensive warranty with lifetime technical support |
Wire Mesh Conveyor
What it is and when to use it
The Wire Mesh Conveyor uses an SS 304 or SS 316L woven wire mesh belt running on an SS frame with end-drive sprockets. The open mesh allows air to flow through the belt, making it the right choice for spray, drying, or cooling tunnels where the container must be exposed to airflow. Output: 0.5 to 30 m/min with payload up to 30 kg/m.
Use this machine when: the container must pass through a heating, cooling, or spray zone; you need a heat-resistant belt for hot-fill or sterilization processes; or you need a washdown-rated belt for spray cleaning.
Key Engineering Features
- Wire mesh belt: SS 304 (standard) or SS 316L (aseptic), balanced weave or chain-edge for tracking.
- Mesh opening: 4 mm – 20 mm opening, balance between airflow and container support.
Specifications — Wire Mesh Conveyor
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Payload | 5–30 kg per metre |
| Speed | 0.5–30 metres per minute with VFD speed control |
| Belt Width | 300 mm–1,500 mm |
| Mesh Material | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Mesh Opening | 4 mm–20 mm |
| Temperature Rating | Up to 600°C for the stainless-steel belt; typical operating applications up to 100°C |
| Frame | SS304 stainless steel as standard or SS316L stainless steel for aseptic applications |
| Motor | 0.37–1.5 kW geared motor with VFD control |
| Section Length | 1 m–12 m per conveyor section |
| Cleaning | Suitable for spray cleaning or washdown applications with an IP65-rated motor |
| Warranty | 12-month comprehensive warranty with lifetime technical support |
SS Slat vs Modular Belt vs Roller vs Wire Mesh: Which Conveyor Do You Need?
- The right conveyor depends on the container, the layout, and the duty cycle. Most pharma lines use a combination — for example, modular belt from the labeler to the cartoner, then roller conveyor to the case packer, then slat conveyor on the incline to the palletizer.
| Parameter | SS Slat Conveyor | Modular Belt Conveyor | Roller Conveyor | Wire Mesh Conveyor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payload | 5–50 kg per metre | 1–30 kg per metre | 10–100 kg per metre | 5–30 kg per metre |
| Speed | 0.5–30 metres per minute | 2–60 metres per minute | 5–60 metres per minute | 0.5–30 metres per minute |
| Incline Capability | Up to 30° | Up to 20° | Up to 5° | Up to 20° |
| Curve Capability | Limited curve capability | Up to 90° using a side-flex modular belt | 30°–90° using tapered rollers | Limited curve capability |
| Best For | Heavy containers, inclined transfer and glass-bottle handling | General packaging lines, curved layouts and plastic containers | Cartons, totes, cases and accumulation applications | Spray washing, drying, cooling and process tunnels |
| Belt Change Time | Less than 30 minutes per section | Less than 15 minutes per section | Not applicable because no belt is used | Less than 30 minutes per section |
| Cleaning | Wipe-down cleaning | CIP-compatible belt cleaning | Wipe-down cleaning | Spray cleaning or full washdown |
| Capital Cost per 3 m Section | $8,000–$15,000 | $5,000–$12,000 | $3,000–$8,000 | $7,000–$14,000 |
| Footprint | Wide and heavy-duty structure | Medium footprint | Narrow and compact footprint | Wide footprint |
| Validation Burden | Low, covering mechanical and electrical systems | Low, covering mechanical and electrical systems | Low, covering mechanical and electrical systems | Low, covering mechanical and electrical systems |
| Industry Adoption | Heavy-container production lines | General packaging and production lines | Carton, tote and case-handling systems | Heating, cooling, drying and process tunnels |
Technical Specifications — At a Glance
| Parameter | SS Slat Conveyor | Modular Belt Conveyor | Roller Conveyor | Wire Mesh Conveyor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payload | 5–50 kg per metre | 1–30 kg per metre | 10–100 kg per metre | 5–30 kg per metre |
| Speed | 0.5–30 metres per minute | 2–60 metres per minute | 5–60 metres per minute | 0.5–30 metres per minute |
| Belt Width | 100 mm–800 mm | 100 mm–1,200 mm | 200 mm–1,500 mm | 300 mm–1,500 mm |
| Motor Power | 0.37–2.2 kW | 0.37–1.5 kW | 0.37–0.75 kW | 0.37–1.5 kW |
| Frame Material | SS304 or SS316L stainless steel | SS304 or SS316L stainless steel | SS304 or SS316L stainless steel | SS304 or SS316L stainless steel |
| Cleaning | Wipe-down cleaning | CIP-compatible belt cleaning | Wipe-down cleaning | Spray cleaning or full washdown |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
Conveyor Selection: A 6-Step How-To
Selecting the right packing conveyor for a pharma packaging line is a 6-step process. The following sequence is a practical approach used by our customers’ engineering teams.
Step 1 – Map the container and payload.
Document the container type (bottle, vial, ampoule, carton), dimensions, weight (empty and filled), and orientation on the conveyor. The payload and container size drive the conveyor type (slat for heavy / glass; modular for light / plastic; roller for cartons).
Step 2 – Map the line layout and lengths.
Draw the line layout: infeed, throughput target, accumulation zones, reject stations, inspection stations, exits. Compute the straight-run lengths and any curves. Curves favor modular belt conveyors with side-flexing belts.
Step 3 – Set the speed and synchronization plan.
Define the line throughput in containers/min, the speed range per section (0.5–60 m/min), and the synchronization plan (master VFD vs PLC line control). The slowest machine in the line defines the conveyor speed.
Step 4 – Choose the material of construction.
SS 304 is the pharma-grade default; SS 316L is required for aseptic-zone placement or washdown duty. Belt material: SS for high-temperature or washdown; FDA-grade PP / POM / PE for general packaging. All plastic must be food-contact compliant per FDA 21 CFR 177 and EU 10/2011.
Step 5 -Specify the control and reject plan.
Photo-eyes at infeed and discharge, VFD on each motor, reject station downstream of inspection. PLC integration: recipe-driven speed and reject logic; 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail for batch data logging.
Step 6 – Lock the URS and request the quote.
Document the above in a User Requirements Specification (URS) and request a formal quote with: line layout drawing, payload + speed + length summary, material of construction, control and reject plan, IQ/OQ template, and lead time.
USP, EP, and Annex 1 Compliance
Every conveyor is engineered and documented against the following standards:
- FDA 21 CFR 177 — Food-contact plastics (for PP / POM / PE belts)
- EU 10/2011 — Plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
- USP <1116> — Microbiological Control of Aseptic Processing Environments
- EU GMP Annex 1 (2022) — Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products
- 21 CFR 211.63 — Equipment Design and Construction
- 21 CFR Part 11 — Electronic Records and Signatures
- WHO TRS 986 Annex 2 — WHO GMP for Pharmaceutical Products
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management
- EN 60204-1 — Electrical Equipment of Machines
- CE Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
Inline Integration with Filling & Packaging
A packing conveyor belt is the connective tissue of a pharmaceutical packaging line:
- Upstream: Filling machine (bottle / vial / ampoule) → capping / sealing / stoppering machine
- Inspection: Labelling machine → vision inspection (label, batch code, fill level) → reject station
- Conveyor (this product): Modular belt from labeler to cartoner; roller conveyor to case packer; slat conveyor on incline to palletizer
- Downstream: Cartoning machine → leaflet inserter → case packer → palletizer → stretch wrapper
Our conveyors are designed for direct feed to and from major packaging machine brands, with matched speed, pitch, and entry/exit height. The VFDs and PLCs integrate with the line master control for synchronized line operation and recipe-driven format changeover.
Frequently Asked Questions
A packing conveyor belt is a powered material-handling system that moves filled, sealed, and labeled pharmaceutical containers (bottles, vials, ampoules, cartons) between packaging stations. In pharma applications the conveyor is built from SS 304 or SS 316L stainless steel, has a VFD for speed control, supports quick belt change for format changeover, and is documented for GMP use under WHO-GMP, EU Annex 1, and USFDA packaging lines.
The four principal types are: (1) SS Slat Conveyor — heavy-duty, incline-capable, used for filled bottles and cartons; (2) Modular Belt Conveyor — most common, food-grade plastic or SS modular belt for general packaging; (3) Roller Conveyor — accumulation, gravity or powered, used for carton handling and case packing; (4) Wire Mesh Conveyor — used for spray, drying, or cooling tunnels.
A slat conveyor uses a chain-driven slat surface (typically SS 304 flat bars) and is built for heavy payloads (5–50 kg/m) and inclines up to 30°. A modular belt conveyor uses an interlocking plastic or SS belt (FDA-grade PP, POM, or SS) and is built for light to medium payloads (1–30 kg/m) at higher speeds.
All product-contact parts in a pharma packing conveyor are built from SS 304 stainless steel as standard, with SS 316L available for aseptic-zone placement. The belt itself is either SS (for high-temperature or washdown duty) or FDA-grade plastic — polypropylene (PP), acetal (POM), or polyethylene (PE). All plastic materials are food-contact compliant per FDA 21 CFR 177 and EU 10/2011.
Speed is controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) on the motor, typically 0.5–60 m/min depending on the conveyor type. The VFD allows recipe-driven speed matching to upstream and downstream equipment (filler, labeler, cartoner) and supports soft start / soft stop to prevent container tip-over. Most modern pharma conveyors integrate the VFD into the line PLC for synchronized line control.
Standard utility requirements: 230V / 415V AC three-phase power at 50–60 Hz, 0.37–2.2 kW connected load per conveyor section. No water, no compressed air, no clean steam required for the standard configuration. Optional photo-eye, reject, and accumulation controls use 24V DC from the line PLC.
SS 304 / SS 316L conveyors are designed for wipe-down cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (IPA 70%) or mild detergent, followed by a purified water rinse. Modular plastic belts can be removed and CIP-washed in a sink or parts washer. For high-hygiene applications, a wire-mesh or SS modular belt with a washdown-rated motor (IP65) is used.
230V/415V AC 3-phase; 4-6 bar oil-free compressed air; purified water (USP <645>) at >= 600 L/h; WFI (USP <1231>) at >= 100 L/h; HEPA-filtered air for the blow-off station.
An export-grade SS 304 packing conveyor with VFD speed control, SS frame, FDA-grade belt, and full IQ/OQ documentation is typically priced in the USD 4,000 – 18,000 range per section (3 m to 6 m), depending on type (slat / modular / roller / mesh), length, payload, and automation level. A full line integration (10–30 m of mixed conveyors) is typically USD 25,000 – 90,000.
Yes — vision inspection is typically mounted over the conveyor, with photo-eyes triggering the camera and a reject station downstream. Common applications: label presence and position inspection, batch code and expiry date OCR, fill level verification, and cap presence inspection. The conveyor is positioned with adequate straight-run length (typically 600 mm) for stable imaging.
Standard conveyor sections ship in 4–8 weeks from purchase order; full line integrations in 8–14 weeks. The conveyor carries a 12-month comprehensive warranty covering parts and labour, with lifetime remote support via video call, TeamViewer, and WhatsApp business.
Customer Outcomes
“We needed to connect our new bottle filler to an existing cartoner with 8 m of line length and a 90° turn. The modular belt conveyor with side-flexing belt fit perfectly, the VFD synchronizes with the line PLC, and the FDA-grade PP belt is belt-CIP-compatible — wipe-down cleaning takes 5 minutes per shift.”
— Engineering Manager, Oral Solids Manufacturer, Hyderabad (reference available on request)
“Our old galvanized roller conveyors were rusting after 3 years and shedding particles. The SS 304 rollers on this line have run 24/7 for 4 years with zero maintenance beyond bearing lubrication. The ZPA accumulation eliminated the back-pressure that used to tip cases at the case packer.”
— Plant Director, Generic Injectables Manufacturer, Ahmedabad (reference available on request)
“We needed to elevate filled glass bottles from the filler to the labeller at 2 m height differential. The SS slat conveyor with 25° incline runs at 12 m/min with 30 kg/m payload and zero tip-overs. The chain tensioner and tool-free slat change have cut our maintenance time by 60%.”
— Production Manager, Large-Volume Parenterals Manufacturer, Mumbai (reference available under NDA)
Installation, Validation, and Support
Every conveyor section is delivered as a turnkey project with the following scope:
- Pre-shipment Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at our facility, with VFD speed verification, payload challenge, and tracking check
- On-site installation, commissioning, and Site Acceptance Test (SAT)
- IQ and OQ execution support, including protocol walkthrough with your QA team
- Operator and maintenance training (typically 1–2 days)
- 1-year comprehensive warranty covering parts and labour
- Lifetime remote support via video call, TeamViewer, and WhatsApp business
- Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) options including belt replacement, VFD calibration, and conveyor tracking adjustment
- Spare parts kits shipped within 24–48 hours globally from regional warehouses
Typical delivery times: Standard conveyor sections ship in 4–8 weeks; full line integrations in 8–14 weeks. Installation and validation typically add 1–3 weeks on site.
Industries We Serve
- Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing
- Vaccine and biological manufacturing
- Oral solid dosage (tablets, capsules) manufacturing
- Sterile and non-sterile liquid manufacturing
- Cosmetic and personal-care manufacturing
- Contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs)
Certifications and Compliance
- ISO 9001:2015 Certified Manufacturing
- CE Marking (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC)
- cGMP-Compliant Design
- WHO-GMP Compatible
- USFDA-Ready Configurations
- EU GMP Annex 1 (2022) Compatible
Related Auxiliary & Packaging Equipment
Inspection Conveyor (/products/inspection-conveyor)
Bottle Filling Machine (/products/bottle-filling-machine)
Bottle Labeling Machine (/products/bottle-labeling-machine)
Bottle Capping Machine (/products/bottle-capping-machine)
Bottle Inspection Machine (/products/bottle-inspection-machine)
Request a Packing Conveyor Quote
Send us your line layout, container size, throughput target, and any incline or curve requirements. We will reply with a configured quotation, lead time, and layout drawing within one business day.
- Request a Quote (/quote/vial-washing-machine)
- +91 96012 74176
- Email Sales (mailto:info@pharmamachineryind.com)
