Table Top & MatTop Conveyors in Houston, TX — The Backbone of Packaging Lines
From single-file bottles to mass-flow cases, table top and MatTop chain conveyors carry product through filling, capping, labeling, and packing. Lone Star Automated Systems designs, supplies, and installs plastic belt and chain systems — with the belting expertise to match — across Texas.
Flat-Top Chain Links, Closed Loop, Endless Applications
Table top and MatTop chain conveyors are typically used during the manufacturing process before product is boxed — though they're increasingly handling cased goods too. The conveying surface is built from flat-topped wings or flights molded to chain links, connected by pins into a continuous closed loop that runs over a drive at the discharge end, intermediate sections, and an infeed idler.
Most table top chains are side-flexing, so the same chain travels around curved sections — hold-down tabs molded to the bottom of each link keep the chain in its curved track under tension. Narrow products run on a single strand; wider products run on multiple strands or step up to wide MatTop belting.
Table top pairs naturally with spiral conveyors for elevation, bottle unscramblers upstream, and case packers downstream.
Built for Decades of Production Duty
Open and closed top construction in an efficient conveyor profile that keeps cost per foot down.
Stainless steel or painted mild steel construction, bolted together with vibration-resistant fasteners.
Compatible with industry-standard modular plastic belts for a continuous conveying surface.
UHMW clip-on wearstrips with roller or serpentine slider return for quiet, long-life operation.
Guide rails, fixed and adjustable brackets, powered and manual product gating, dust covers, drip pans, supports, and transfer aids.
Dynamic transfer sections, parallel side transfers, pressureless singlefilers, deceleration modules, drive and idle ends, and incline/decline modules.
Table Top & Plastic Belt Systems We Design & Install
Table Top Chain Conveyor
The robust, reliable workhorse for single-stream jars, cans, bottles, pouches, trays, and cases — flat-top chain in a channel frame with guide rails holding product in line through fills, cappers, and labelers.
Typical range: widths 3.25", 4.5", 7.5", 12" • lengths 30" to 60' • speeds 15–385 FPM • loads to 600 lbs • low-friction, high-friction, roller-top, stainless, and static-dissipative chains • side-flex "L," "S," and "U" layouts • turns 15°–180° • inclines/declines to 15° • merges, diverts, zero-gap side transfers, adjustable-length sections.
MatTop Conveyor
Supreme, gentle handling on a uniform wide conveying surface — modular plastic belt built from interlocking segments in a brick-like pattern, joined by pivot rods. The choice for wider widths, mass flow, and multi-lane product.
Typical range: widths 6"–60" • lengths 30" to 60' • speeds 15–385 FPM • loads to 600 lbs • low-friction, high-friction, roller-top, and static-dissipative chains • side-flex layouts, radius turns 15°–180° with dynamic transfer • parallel transfers • inclines/declines to 15° • merges, diverts, and noser transfers.
Rollerless Zero-Pressure Case Accumulation
A rollerless, zero-pressure accumulation chain that transports and accumulates cartons, trays, or totes with smooth, gentle, positive transportation similar to a slider bed — without line pressure build-up. The rollerless design matters: even closely spaced rollers can dent cans and damage package graphics.
Design parameters: non-reversing travel • speeds to 240 FPM • horizontal installation • transition chains available to bridge the gap between conveyor drive and tail sprockets (often unnecessary on bottle lines, where gap-filling rollers won't damage bottles).
Roller-Top Plastic Belts
Small plastic rollers embedded in the belt surface unlock capabilities plain belts can't offer. In-line rollers let product back up with minimal line pressure. Transverse rollers let product move on or off the side — right-angle transfers with a pusher or puller, and merges or diverts with a swing arm or fixed deflector. Angled rollers (30°/45°) protrude below the belt and are activated by the conveyor bed, powering product justification, skew and herringbone sections, merging, diverting, sorting, and singulation.
Surfaces also available: smooth solid • open grid (lets debris fall through) • low friction • high-friction rubber pads and cleats for inclines, declines, and brake belts • side-flexing belts for curves.
Choosing the Right Plastic — And Avoiding the Classic Mistakes
| Material | Temperature Range | Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | 45°F to 130°F — not below freezing | Good | The economical default for ambient production lines |
| Polyethylene | Works well in cold temperatures | Lower than polypropylene | Cold rooms where strength demands are modest |
| Acetal | Down to −30°F | Superior — with lower friction and a higher PV limit | Freezers, curves, high-wear and reduced-friction applications |
Watch for chain surge (slip-stick)
When initial tension can't overcome static friction with the carryway, the chain's elasticity builds tension like a spring until it breaks free and surges forward — then relaxes and repeats. Surging causes product instability, sprocket disengagement, and wear. Long, slow conveyors are most susceptible, which is why manufacturers specify maximum allowable lengths.
Never pair like materials
When selecting a belt or chain material, never use a similar material for the wearstrip or track — like materials tend to bond together, increasing friction and accelerating wear. Dissimilar pairings run cooler and last longer.
Drive placement
An end drive at the discharge is adequate for most applications; specify a center drive when the conveyor must run bi-directionally.
Transitions
Transition plates are adequate when case length exceeds twice the center distance between end idlers; use transition rollers for shorter cases. Width is set by the widest product — plus allowance for curves, and extra clearance in singulators so side-by-side cartons can rotate freely on angled roller belts.
One Platform, a Dozen Jobs
Straights and curves in belt or chain — the connective tissue of every packaging line.
High-friction belting and cleats carry product up and down between operations.
High-friction surfaces create the controlled gaps that sortation depends on.
In-line roller belts and rollerless ZPA chain buffer product without pressure.
Transverse-roller belts with pushers, pullers, swing arms, and deflectors.
Angled-roller belts justify, sort, and single-file product — with low-friction guide rails on skew sections.
Common accessories include divert arms and deflectors (fixed or swing, faced with UHMW, skate wheels, or bead rail to reduce carton drag), fixed and gate-type case stops, pushers, pullers, bump turners that rotate cases 90° using a corner-catch obstruction, guide rails, floor and ceiling-hung supports, and infeed-end slave drives.
Table Top Conveyor FAQs
What is a table top conveyor?
A conveyor whose surface is made of flat-topped links — wings or flights molded to chain links connected by pins in a closed loop over a drive, intermediates, and infeed idler. Typically used during manufacturing before product is boxed, and increasingly for cased goods. Most chains are side-flexing, with hold-down tabs keeping the chain in curved tracks.
What is the difference between table top and MatTop?
Table top chain is narrow (typically 3.25"–12") for single-file products, with multiple strands for wider loads. MatTop is wide modular plastic belt (6"–60") built from interlocking segments in a brick pattern joined by pivot rods — for mass flow, multi-lane, and wide products.
What is rollerless zero-pressure accumulation?
A rollerless chain that transports and accumulates cartons, trays, or totes like a slider bed, without line pressure build-up. No rollers means no damage to package graphics — even closely spaced rollers can dent cans. Non-reversing, horizontal, speeds to 240 FPM, with transition chains available to bridge conveyor-to-conveyor gaps.
How do roller-top plastic belts work?
Small plastic rollers embed in the belt surface: in-line rollers give low-pressure accumulation; transverse rollers enable side transfers, merges, and diverts; angled rollers (30°/45°) protrude below the belt, activate against the conveyor bed, and power skews, herringbones, sorting, and singulation.
What is chain surge (the slip-stick effect)?
When initial tension can't overcome static friction with the carryway, chain elasticity builds tension until the chain breaks free and surges forward, then relaxes and repeats. It causes product instability, sprocket disengagement, and wear — long, slow conveyors are most susceptible, so manufacturers specify maximum lengths.
Which belt material should I choose?
Polypropylene — most economical, good strength, 45–130°F, not below freezing. Polyethylene — cold-capable but weaker. Acetal — down to −30°F with superior strength, lower friction, and a higher PV limit, best for curves and freezers. And never pair a belt with a same-material wearstrip — like materials bond, increasing friction and wear.
Table Top 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, consumer product manufacturers, packagers, and warehouses throughout the Gulf Coast and statewide.
Ready to Spec Your Table Top Line?
Tell us your containers, rates, layout, and environment. We'll select the chain or belt, material, and modules — and quote the complete line with guide rails, gating, and controls.
713-532-4444