Why divide the required rate by labeling efficiency?

Some units leave without a good label and must be fixed, so the labeler sees more units than the order needs. Dividing by efficiency asks the conveyor to carry that extra volume.

How is product pitch measured at a labeler?

Leading edge to leading edge of consecutive products, in inches. Use the pitch where the label applies; a timing screw can set a different pitch than the infeed.

What happens when required speed exceeds the rating?

The headroom row turns negative and the warning names the shortfall. Trim the pitch, raise efficiency or cut the required rate, because overrunning the labeler risks missed and skewed labels.

Does label size change the pitch I enter?

Only when labels need different spacing than the products. A long label on a short product can force a wider pitch so consecutive labels do not overlap.

Conveyors calculator

Labeling Line Speed Calculator

Find the labeler conveyor speed that meets a required label rate after labeling efficiency. You need the required units, product pitch, expected efficiency and the labeler's rated maximum.

What this calculator does

The conveyor speed a labeler needs for a required label rate, against the labeler's rated maximum speed.

Formula used

Efficiency-adjusted label throughput = required labeled units ÷ labeling efficiency % × 100
Required labeler conveyor speed = efficiency-adjusted throughput × product pitch ÷ 720
720 converts inches per hour to feet per minute (12 in/ft × 60 min/hr)
Speed headroom = rated labeler speed − required labeler conveyor speed

Inputs explained

Required Labeled Units: Labeled units the line must ship each hour.
Product Pitch Through Labeler: Leading edge to leading edge of products at the labeler.
Expected Labeling Efficiency: Labels applied correctly per unit entering the labeler.
Rated Labeler Speed: Top speed the labeler and its drive are rated for.

How to use the result

Best suited to checking a labeler against a rate rise, sizing a drive for a new labeler, pricing an efficiency project at the labeler.
A print-and-apply head with its own cycle can cap the rate before conveyor speed does. One product and pitch; mixed sizes should use the widest pitch.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The U.S. has 21,668 machinery manufacturing establishments employing about 1,086,146 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Why divide the required rate by labeling efficiency? Some units leave without a good label and must be fixed, so the labeler sees more units than the order needs. Dividing by efficiency asks the conveyor to carry that extra volume.
How is product pitch measured at a labeler? Leading edge to leading edge of consecutive products, in inches. Use the pitch where the label applies; a timing screw can set a different pitch than the infeed.
What happens when required speed exceeds the rating? The headroom row turns negative and the warning names the shortfall. Trim the pitch, raise efficiency or cut the required rate, because overrunning the labeler risks missed and skewed labels.
Does label size change the pitch I enter? Only when labels need different spacing than the products. A long label on a short product can force a wider pitch so consecutive labels do not overlap.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.