Conveyor Design / Material Handling
Custom Gravel Bag Conveyor and Hopper System
Custom conveyor machine designed to move gravel bags with a belt mechanism, puncture bags with spikes, and let gravel drop into a fabricated hopper.
Engineering challenge
The client needed a custom mechanical system for handling gravel bags. The machine had to move bags using a belt-driven mechanism, puncture the bags with spikes from above, and allow the gravel to fall into a hopper for further handling. The solution had to be practical, robust, and suitable for workshop fabrication.
Design approach
Guenzo designed the custom conveyor and hopper system as a mechanical assembly. The design included a belt conveyor section, support frame, bag guide areas, upper spike/puncture elements, hopper body, sheet metal panels, and access zones for operation and maintenance. The focus was on creating a simple mechanical process: feed the bag, puncture it, empty the gravel into the hopper, and support the system with a strong fabricated structure.
Manufacturing considerations
The design used fabricated metal parts, sheet metal panels, welded structure, conveyor components, and standard mechanical hardware. The hopper and frame were designed for practical production and assembly. Access and maintenance were considered because abrasive material like gravel can create wear and cleaning issues.
Deliverables
- 3D CAD model
- STEP files
- Conveyor assembly layout
- Hopper design
- Fabrication drawings
- Sheet metal details
- Assembly drawings
- BOM
- Supplier-ready documentation
Software used
SolidWorks
Manufacturing method
Sheet metal fabrication, welded frame, belt conveyor components, spike/puncture assembly, mechanical assembly
Result
A custom material-handling machine concept prepared for fabrication and assembly, designed to move, puncture, and empty gravel bags into a hopper.