Example Data Table
| Case |
Load kg |
Moving mass kg |
Speed m/min |
Efficiency percent |
Safety factor |
Use case |
| Light bucket lift |
500 |
180 |
12 |
85 |
1.25 |
Small process line |
| Medium vertical conveyor |
1200 |
350 |
18 |
82 |
1.35 |
Warehouse transfer |
| Heavy duty lift |
2800 |
700 |
24 |
78 |
1.50 |
Continuous production |
Formula Used
Effective mass: (Load mass + moving conveyor mass) × (1 − counterweight offset)
Lifting force: Effective mass × 9.80665
Useful lifting power: Lifting force × vertical speed
Required motor power: (Useful power + friction power + acceleration power) ÷ mechanical efficiency × safety factor
Current, three phase: Electrical input watts ÷ (√3 × voltage × power factor)
Current, single phase: Electrical input watts ÷ (voltage × power factor)
Drive drum torque: Lifting force × drum radius × friction factor × safety factor
Brake holding torque: Lifting force × drum radius × brake factor
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the live lifted load and moving conveyor mass. Add counterweight offset only when a real counterweight reduces the lifted mass.
Enter lift height, lift speed, drum diameter, and gearbox ratio. These values affect travel time, drum speed, and torque.
Add realistic efficiency, friction, acceleration, and safety values. Larger values give a more conservative motor estimate.
Select supply phase, voltage, and power factor. The calculator then estimates current for starter and cable planning.
Press the calculate button. Review the result above the form. Use the CSV or PDF button for records.
Vertical Conveyor Motor Sizing Guide
Vertical conveyors lift material against gravity. That makes motor sizing more direct than many horizontal belt jobs. The main load is the effective lifted mass. This includes product, buckets, belt, chain, fixtures, and any moving hardware. A counterweight can reduce this value. The calculator treats that reduction as an offset.
Power Requirement
Power starts with force. The lifting force equals mass times gravity. Multiply that force by vertical speed to get useful lifting power. Then add friction allowance, acceleration demand, and design margin. Finally, divide by mechanical efficiency. This gives the required motor shaft power.
Torque Requirement
Torque is just as important. A motor may have enough power but poor starting torque. The drive drum torque depends on drum radius and lifting force. Gearboxes multiply torque and reduce speed. That is why drum diameter and gearbox ratio matter. A slow vertical conveyor often needs high output torque.
Current Estimate
Current is estimated from shaft power, motor efficiency, voltage, phase, and power factor. Three phase systems usually draw less current than single phase systems at the same power. The estimate is useful for preliminary cable, starter, overload, and breaker checks. Final protection should follow local electrical rules.
Duty and Starting
Duty changes the design choice. A conveyor that runs five minutes per hour can use a different motor than one running continuously. Frequent starts create extra heat. High starts per hour may need a larger frame, soft starter, inverter, or brake motor. The calculator flags duty using starts and run time.
Brake Selection
The brake estimate helps with holding load. Vertical conveyors should not drift backward when stopped. A brake must hold the load with margin. The brake factor allows a practical allowance for wear, shock, and service conditions.
Design Advice
Use this tool for early selection, quotations, and comparison. It does not replace a manufacturer rating. Check actual motor curves, gearbox limits, brake ratings, thermal class, mounting, and service factor. Also review product impact, jams, bucket fill variation, and emergency stops. Good design includes reserve capacity. It also includes safe guarding, maintenance access, and reliable controls. Keep input data realistic. Measure loaded speed, not rated speed, when possible. Use the worst expected load. Recheck sizing after layout changes, because height and drum size can change torque demand quickly.
FAQs
1. What is a vertical conveyor motor calculation?
It estimates the motor power, torque, current, and brake torque needed to lift a conveyor load vertically at a selected speed.
2. Why is lifted mass important?
Lifted mass creates the main gravity load. More mass needs more force, more power, and more torque at the drive drum.
3. Should I include belt and bucket weight?
Yes. Include product, belt, chain, buckets, carriers, fixtures, and any moving hardware that the motor must lift.
4. What does counterweight offset mean?
It is the percentage of lifted mass balanced by a counterweight. Use zero when the conveyor has no counterweight system.
5. Why does drum diameter affect torque?
A larger drum has a larger radius. Larger radius needs more torque for the same lifting force.
6. Why add a safety factor?
A safety factor allows for loading variation, friction changes, wear, startup demand, and uncertain operating conditions.
7. Is the current estimate final?
No. It is a planning estimate. Final cable, overload, breaker, and starter choices should follow local standards and equipment data.
8. Can this select the exact motor model?
No. It suggests a practical power size. Confirm final motor selection with manufacturer curves, duty rating, brake rating, and gearbox limits.