ABSTRACT
Most of the conveyors that appear in simulation models tend to be fairly simplistic. The conveyor only provides a means of moving an object from one place to another. It is driven by a single-speed motor and very little, if any, control logic is applied while the conveyor is operating. A number of objects or products can be conveyed in this manner with little or no difficulty. For example, boxes, kitting tubs, and pallets of bricks are all relatively sturdy and relatively insensitive to damage. In fact, the conveyor system may be designed in such a way as to allow the objects to touch or to accumulate at a given station. This particular method of operation might be found in a package-shipping service. In operation, the accumulation section provides temporary storage and, thereby, smoothes out surges in arrival rate, or momentary reductions in the removal rate.
