Designed to adapt conveyors quickly to various container shapes and sizes, these systems are essential for maintaining high throughput and reducing changeover times, especially in operations where SKUs change often.

At Septimatech, our Easy Adjust Guide Rail Systems are engineered to deliver repeatable, tool-less, and fast adjustments, minimizing downtime on your line while improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Generally, conveyor systems come standard with a simple adjustment system for the guide rails. These systems can take hours to changeover, as each individual point needs to be manually unlocked, slid into the correct position, and then locked back into position. For this reason alone, a truly adjustable guide rail system can have an enormous return on investment. Easy Adjust Guide Rails allow for up to 80 feet of straight conveyor to be adjusted in seconds from a single location. 

These systems are particularly beneficial in multi-format lines, contract packaging operations, and any setting where flexibility and speed are vital during changeovers. Time is money. 

Mechanical vs. Pneumatic Adjustable Guide Rails

There are two main types of adjustable guide rail systems used in modern packaging lines: Mechanical and Pneumatic Guide Rails

Choosing the right adjustable guide rail system comes down to balancing precision, flexibility, and long-term value. While both mechanical and pneumatic systems aim to improve changeover efficiency, mechanical guide rails often deliver superior performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. 

The main difference is that Pneumatic systems use air-driven actuators for synchronized adjustments. However, they often have limited adjustment flexibility, are more sensitive to pressure changes, and require more maintenance over time. They also consume more energy and typically carry a higher long-term cost.

Benefits of Mechanical Systems Include:

• Consistent accuracy across formats and sizes ensuring high levels of repeatability.
• Superior position stability, even when product is heavy and pushes against guide rails.
• Low maintenance with long-lasting components that require no lubrication.
• Lower total cost of ownership with minimal wear parts and easy installation.

Common Conveyor Types and Manufacturers that can use Easy Adjust Guide Rails:

Adjustable guide rails can be installed on a wide range of conveyors, including:

• Tabletop chain conveyors
• Belt conveyors
• Roller conveyors
• Modular plastic belt conveyors

Valu-Guide rails are usually a standard offering from conveyor manufactures, but Easy Adjust rails are commonly retrofitted on lines that use some of the leading conveyors from OEMs such as: 

• Arrowhead Conveyor Systems
• Dorner Conveyors
• FlexLink Systems Conveyors
• Nercon Conveyors
• Garvey Conveyors
• Bosch Rexroth Conveyors
• and many more.

At Septimatech, we’ve successfully integrated Easy Adjust Guide Rails on hundreds of major conveyor platforms, enabling customers to streamline their operations regardless of line complexity.

Question: How do I know if my line needs adjustable guide rails?

If your packaging line handles multiple SKUs or container formats and experiences downtime during format changes, an adjustable guide rail system like Septimatech’s Easy Adjust can significantly boost efficiency.

Question: Can Septimatech’s Easy Adjust Guide Rail system retrofit to my existing conveyor?

Absolutely. Our Easy Adjust system is designed for versatility and can be retro-fitted to any existing or new conveyors and line layouts.

Question: How do Easy Adjust Guide Rails differ from standard solutions?

Unlike out of the box or standard guide rails, our Easy Adjust rails are designed for fast, synchronized, and tool-less adjustments, ensuring precision, repeatability, and minimal downtime. They are built with ergonomics, durability, and operator productivity in mind.

Question: What industries benefit the most from adjustable guide rail systems?

Adjustable guide rails benefit a wide range of industries including but certainly not limited to:

• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical
• Personal care and cosmetics
• Household products
• Contract packaging

Why Choose Septimatech?

With more than 30 years of experience, Septimatech leads the industry in precision conveyor changeover solutions that drive packaging line performance. Our Easy Adjust Guide Rail system embodies our commitment to:

• Operator Ergonomics
• Operational simplicity
• Consistent Repeatability
• Customization for your unique line requirements

We collaborate closely with OEMs, CPGs, and contract packagers to optimize packaging lines with smart, scalable solutions that address labor shortages, increase throughput, and reduce total cost of ownership.