Conveyors are systems used in various industrial settings to move objects or materials from one location to another. These machines require workers who can install, maintain, and repair the equipment, so many conveyor jobs focus on the technical aspects of conveyor operation. Some conveyor jobs focus solely on operating the machine during normal business operations; other jobs focus more on working in the vicinity of the conveyor. Assemblers, for example, may stand next to a conveyor to assemble products being transported along the conveyor assembly line. Safety personnel may monitor the operations of the conveyor and the people working around it to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations regarding worker safety.
Of course, conveyors themselves must be manufactured and assembled, so some conveyor jobs include machinists who can fabricate parts, mechanics who can assemble the machines, and installers who can deliver and install the equipment to a particular setting. These mechanics may also be responsible for maintaining the equipment once it is installed; mechanics may perform routine maintenance as well as diagnostic testing to find problems in a broken down conveyor system. Replacement of parts or entire systems may be the responsibility of the mechanics as well.
Sometimes a company may need a custom conveyor built to suit specific manufacturing needs. In this case, some conveyor jobs focus exclusively on conveyor design. Designers will visit a space and take accurate measurements, then create a conveyor layout that will accomplish the manufacturing goals of that company. This may include designing the layout of the conveyor track, placing retarders that slow items being transported along the conveyor, planning where powered and unpowered conveyors should be placed, and figuring out how to power the conveyor system. Safety concerns must also be addressed in the design, so the designer will need to have a familiarity with local laws and regulations regarding conveyor use.
Some conveyor jobs focus exclusively on one element of the conveyor process. Belt mechanics, for example, may be responsible solely for fabricating and installing belts on the conveyor system. Some belts are made of rubber, though others are made from metal wire mesh; creating these belts requires a thorough knowledge of manufacturing and machining processes, and the mechanic will need to undergo training to learn how to install the belts safely and effectively. Belt mechanics may also be responsible for tensioning the belt regularly to ensure it does not wear prematurely or fail completely.