Spiral Conveyors in Houston, TX — High Throughput Elevation Change in a Round Footprint
Continuous vertical product flow with usually just one drive motor — substantial savings on controls and systems integration, easy installation, low maintenance, quiet operation, and long life. Lone Star Automated Systems designs, supplies, and installs standard and custom spiral systems across Texas.
The Most Throughput Per Square Foot of Any Elevation Change
A spiral conveyor carries product continuously up or down a helical path around a central drum. Because the flow never stops and the footprint is a single round tower, spirals deliver the highest throughput per square foot of floor space of any elevation-change technology.
One drive motor typically powers the entire spiral — including multiple tiers — which means substantial savings on drives, controls, and systems integration compared to chains of incline conveyors. Discharge can be oriented straight through or at 90°, 180°, or even 270° to the infeed, in clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation, running up or down.
Comparing your options? See vertical conveyors for the tightest footprints and heavy platform loads, or incline belt conveyors where ramp space is available.
Spiral & Vertical Flow Systems We Design & Install
From heavy-duty case spirals to sanitary washdown towers and bulk bucket elevators — standard and custom models, sized to your product, rate, and environment.
Heavy-Duty Spiral Conveyor
The workhorse spiral for individual units, cartons, and cases — continuous flow around a powered central drum, with chain options matched to your product and duty.
Typical range: belt widths 6" and 18" • infeed/discharge offsets up to 240" of elevation change • speeds 15–200 FPM • loads to 5 lbs/sq ft (6") and 25 lbs/sq ft (18") • carbon steel plated, stainless, low-friction, or friction-insert chains • discharge straight, 90°, or 180° • clockwise or counter-clockwise, up or down.
Washdown Spiral Conveyor
An industry-leading 100% washdown spiral: the modular plastic belt eliminates the corrosion that can develop in roller chain solutions, so it stands up to full sanitation cycles in food, beverage, and consumer product plants.
Typical range: belt widths 10", 14", 17" • offsets up to 240" of elevation change • speeds 15–200 FPM • cases to 30 lbs • sanitary side drive with optional friction inserts • perimeter guarding • discharge straight, 90°, 180°, or 270° • CW or CCW, up or down.
Mass Flow Spiral
Designed to handle full and empty bottles, cans, jars, and similar containers — conveyed up or down in a continuous mass flow rather than single file. The small footprint provides considerable space savings compared to conventional elevation methods, making mass flow spirals a natural fit between depalletizing and filling.
Vertical Accumulation Buffer
Combines two or more spirals for up and down movement, using overhead space for dynamic storage while preserving valuable floor space. Product circulates in the buffer between production steps — absorbing rate differences and short downstream stops without halting the line.
Chain Slat Conveyors & Curves
Ideal for inclines or declines in tight quarters — the slat chain follows curves, rises, and falls in one continuous path, and can handle multiple curves with a single drive. A natural partner to table top conveyor in packaging lines.
Bucket Elevators
Combine vertical and horizontal transportation of bulk material in one integral unit — with gentle product handling, high capacity, quiet operation, and low maintenance. Standard and custom models are available for foods, ingredients, hardware, and other bulk products.
Heavy-Duty vs. Washdown at a Glance
| Factor | Heavy-Duty Spiral | Washdown Spiral |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | General manufacturing and distribution | Full washdown / sanitary — food & beverage |
| Belting | Steel or low-friction chain options | Modular plastic belt — eliminates roller chain corrosion |
| Widths | 6", 18" | 10", 14", 17" |
| Capacity | 5 lbs/sq ft (6") • 25 lbs/sq ft (18") | Cases up to 30 lbs |
| Elevation & speed | Offsets to 240" • 15–200 FPM | Offsets to 240" • 15–200 FPM |
| Discharge options | Straight, 90°, 180° • CW/CCW • up or down | Straight, 90°, 180°, 270° • CW/CCW • up or down |
Spiral Conveyor FAQs
What is a spiral conveyor?
A spiral conveyor moves product continuously up or down a helical path around a central drum — continuous vertical flow and high throughput while conserving floor space. Usually only one drive motor is required, which means substantial savings on controls and systems integration, plus easy installation, low maintenance, quiet operation, and long life.
How much elevation change can a spiral handle?
Standard spirals handle infeed-to-discharge offsets up to 240" (20 feet) at speeds of 15–200 FPM, with straight, 90°, 180°, and 270° discharge orientations, clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation, running up or down.
What is a mass flow spiral?
A mass flow spiral conveys full or empty bottles, cans, jars, and similar containers up or down many-wide in a continuous mass flow rather than single file — with a small footprint and considerable space savings compared to conventional elevation methods.
What is a vertical accumulation buffer?
It combines two or more spirals for up and down movement, using overhead space for dynamic storage while preserving floor space. Product circulates in the buffer between production steps, absorbing rate differences and short stops without halting the line.
What is a washdown spiral conveyor?
A spiral built for full sanitation: a modular plastic belt eliminates the corrosion that can develop in roller chain solutions, with sanitary side drive, optional friction inserts, perimeter guarding, and stainless construction — handling cases to 30 lbs with elevation changes to 240".
Does Lone Star Automated Systems install spiral conveyors in Houston?
Yes. We're headquartered in Houston, TX and provide layout, design, supply, and installation of spiral conveyors, mass flow spirals, accumulation buffers, and bucket elevators throughout Houston, the Gulf Coast, and all of Texas. Call 713-532-4444 for a quote.
Spiral Conveyor Design & Installation Across Texas
Lone Star Automated Systems is headquartered at 2500 Citywest Blvd., STE 150, Houston, TX 77042 and serves food and beverage plants, manufacturers, distribution centers, and warehouses throughout the Gulf Coast and statewide.
Ready to Spec Your Spiral Conveyor?
Tell us your product, rates, available footprint, and the elevation change you need. We'll recommend heavy-duty, washdown, or mass flow technology — and quote the complete spiral with controls and guarding.
713-532-4444