Why divide output by efficiency first?

The belt carries the rejects and slow cycles too, so it must move more units than the schedule ships. At 90% efficiency, 1,200 good units an hour needs about 1,333 units an hour on the belt.

Is pitch the part length or the gap?

Neither alone. Pitch is the distance from one product's leading edge to the next product's leading edge, so part length plus gap. Measure several products and enter the largest pitch.

What about multiple lanes or strands?

This page assumes single-file flow. If several lanes feed one rate, divide the required output by the lane count or use the conveyor parts per hour page for multi-lane flow.

How do I find the installed maximum?

Read the drive nameplate, then check the VFD's maximum frequency setting, and verify with a tach at full command. The lower of the two figures is the real maximum, since the VFD limit often caps the motor.

Conveyors calculator

Required Line Speed Calculator

Set the belt speed a line must run to deliver the good output the schedule needs at a chosen product pitch and expected efficiency. Compare that speed with the installed maximum before retiming the drive.

What this calculator does

The belt speed needed to deliver the required good output at your pitch and efficiency, against the installed maximum.

Formula used

Efficiency-adjusted output rate = required good output ÷ (line efficiency % ÷ 100)
Required line speed = adjusted output rate × product pitch ÷ 720; 720 = 12 in per ft × 60 min per hour
Speed headroom = installed maximum speed − required line speed
The drive is short when required speed is above the installed maximum at this pitch and efficiency

Inputs explained

Required Good Output: Good units the schedule needs each hour.
Product Pitch on Conveyor: Leading edge to leading edge of products along the belt.
Expected Line Efficiency: Measured output ÷ planned output over the same run.
Installed Maximum Speed: Highest speed the drive and belt can actually hold.

How to use the result

Best suited to commissioning a belt at a new rate, checking a drive before a rate increase, retiming a VFD after a pitch change.
Steady state only: ramp up, jams and changeovers sit inside the efficiency figure, not modeled here. Mixed products need the worst-case pitch, since the slowest pitch sets the required speed.

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 output by efficiency first? The belt carries the rejects and slow cycles too, so it must move more units than the schedule ships. At 90% efficiency, 1,200 good units an hour needs about 1,333 units an hour on the belt.
Is pitch the part length or the gap? Neither alone. Pitch is the distance from one product's leading edge to the next product's leading edge, so part length plus gap. Measure several products and enter the largest pitch.
What about multiple lanes or strands? This page assumes single-file flow. If several lanes feed one rate, divide the required output by the lane count or use the conveyor parts per hour page for multi-lane flow.
How do I find the installed maximum? Read the drive nameplate, then check the VFD's maximum frequency setting, and verify with a tach at full command. The lower of the two figures is the real maximum, since the VFD limit often caps the motor.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.