Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Overhead conveyor
Also known as: Monorail conveyor, Power and free conveyor, Pocket sorter
German: Hängeförderer
In material handling, an overhead conveyor is a conveyor mounted on a ceiling or steel structure that carries goods suspended from trolleys, hooks or pockets along a rail.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
An overhead conveyor carries goods suspended from trolleys, hooks or pockets along an overhead rail, saving floor space.
Example
Car bodies move through the paint shop on a power-and-free overhead conveyor that can stop individual carriers.
How it applies
- Engineering: Overhead conveyors range from simple chain-driven monorails to power-and-free systems, where carriers can be stopped and accumulated independently, and pocket sorters for e-commerce. They free floor space and can buffer goods above work areas.
- Safety: Suspended loads can fall or swing, and carriers can strike people at head height. Protection against falling loads (nets, guards) and clear zones under the conveyor are typical measures; see Impact hazard.
- Maintenance: Access to overhead rails requires work at height, with suitable platforms and procedures.
- Documentation: Include load limits per carrier, loading and unloading instructions, inspection points for trolleys and rails, and the procedure for working at height during maintenance.
Overhead conveyor vs. floor conveyor
Floor conveyors carry loads from below; overhead conveyors carry them suspended. Overhead conveyors suit goods that hang well (car bodies, garments) and layouts where the floor must remain free.