Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to Industries

Engineering & Construction

What’s the Footprint/Space Savings with an IntelliFinishing System?

Manufacturers can reclaim valuable factory floor space by switching from traditional conveyor systems to a more compact finishing solution

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Engineering & Construction teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

By MarketScale · Conveyor SolutionsIntellifinishingJohn ClamanShuttle Systems
Share

Key takeaways

01

Manufacturers can reclaim valuable factory floor space by switching from traditional conveyor systems to a more compact finishing solution

When space is tight, every square foot counts—especially in finishing operations. According to John Claman of IntelliFinishing, one of the key advantages of an IntelliFinishing system is its ability to significantly reduce the footprint compared to traditional conveyorized systems.

One of the key advantages of an IntelliFinishing system is its ability to significantly reduce the footprint compared to traditional conveyorized systems.

Traditional chain-based systems often require wide loops and large turning radiuses, especially for long or oversized products. IntelliFinishing addresses this with shuttle systems, which move carriers laterally, allowing process equipment like washers and ovens to be placed side by side. This means products don't need to travel in wide loops just to change direction—they're simply shifted from one station to the next.

Another space-saving method is the deadhead turn. Here, a carrier moves to the end of a conveyor lane, reverses direction, hits a switch, and seamlessly turns 45 or 90 degrees into the next process. This eliminates the need for sprawling looped layouts.

Finally, because IntelliFinishing doesn't rely on continuous chain loops like power-and-free systems, there's no need to route return chains throughout the facility. Carriers can split into different process lanes without requiring extra space to loop back—offering even more layout flexibility.

Together, these innovations allow for a more compact, efficient system—perfect for facilities where space and flow optimization are critical.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

Hi. This is John Clayman with IntelliFinishing. How can IntelliFinishing system save space within my facility compared to more traditional conveyorized finishing systems? One way we can save space is when dealing with large products, often traditional chain based systems need a fairly wide space to turn a corner. And telefinishing systems, on the other hand, employ a couple techniques to try to squeeze that space down and put process equipment closer together. One of the ways we do that is with shuttle systems. So if you happen to have really large or long products, a shuttle system can turn that corner much quicker. So what do we do with a shuttle system? Well, we move a carrier out onto a shuttle and then we move it sideways, side to side laterally. And so then it backs up out of that shuttle back into another process, perhaps going from loading to wash and then out of wash to maybe another shuttle very quickly back into a dry oven. So that process can squeeze together the wash and the dry oven literally side by side where that long product may have had to make a big loop to make it to its dry oven in a traditional system. Another way we can do something very similar is that we can dead head turn. A carrier will go out to the end of a lane of conveyor and then reverse direction and then hit a switch and turn a forty five or ninety degree turn and then go into another process. So that ability to simply back up and go to in a different direction often saves considerable space on a finishing system. And then lastly, because an IntelliFinishing system doesn't have, for example, like a power and free, you have multiple chains running through the system, and all of those chains may only accomplish a portion of the process for itself. Well, with our type of technology, if we wanna split off into different lanes, for example, and go to different booths, we can simply split off and there's no return chain coming back to the beginning. And oftentimes, that will save space. If you want more information about our shuttles or our deadhead turns, we have videos on our website that will show you systems where we've employed those techniques. Now I think it'll teach you everything you need to know. Thanks.

New to MarketScale?

MarketScale is the platform Engineering & Construction companies use to turn their own experts into content like this. Want the short overview?

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Engineering & Construction Insights

The reshoring boom that wasn't: U.S. factory construction keeps falling despite tariff push

The reshoring boom that wasn't: U.S. factory construction keeps falling despite tariff push

New factory construction in the U.S. has been on the decline since 2024, despite tariffs and political efforts encouraging reshoring. The trend contradicts expectations that such measures would boost domestic manufacturing facilities. This ongoing decrease indicates broader challenges in the U.S. construction and manufacturing sectors.

  • 01U.S. factory construction has fallen since 2024.
  • 02Tariffs and reshoring efforts have not increased domestic manufacturing.
  • 03Challenges remain in the U.S. construction and manufacturing sectors.

Jun 25, 2026

Dodge Construction Network: how 130 years of data is reshaping construction intelligence

Dodge Construction Network: how 130 years of data is reshaping construction intelligence

Dodge Construction Network has been collecting and analyzing construction data for over 130 years. The company tracks over 700,000 projects annually, providing valuable insights into the industry. In April, their Momentum Index rose by 6.2%, primarily due to an increase in data center construction.

  • 01Dodge Construction Network has over 130 years of data collection history.
  • 02They track more than 700,000 construction projects yearly.
  • 03The Momentum Index increased by 6.2% in April, driven by data center construction.

Jun 25, 2026

Construction tech, HVAC AI, and infrastructure bets signal a maturing venture market in 2026

Construction tech, HVAC AI, and infrastructure bets signal a maturing venture market in 2026

The venture market is maturing by 2026, with significant investment in AI infrastructure and technology for the built environment. Key areas receiving funding include construction robotics, HVAC AI solutions, and model-routing startups. These investments signal strong confidence in the future of construction and infrastructure technology.

  • 01Venture capital is significantly investing in AI infrastructure.
  • 02Construction robotics and HVAC AI are key focus areas for investors.
  • 03The market shows confidence in the growth of infrastructure technology.

Jun 23, 2026

Explore More Engineering & Construction Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Engineering & Construction.

Browse Engineering & Construction Hub

About the Expert

M
MarketScale