Product category:
Automation and assembly equipment
News Release from: Montech | Subject: Pallet transfer systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 August 2000
Pallet transfer without the pain
Montech has come up with a solution that mitigates the noise problems often associated with pallet transfer systems, using clever design including elastomeric shock absorbers
Pallet transfer systems can be an excellent way to automate a manufacturing process In particular, the process can be automated in stages, allowing some manual assembly to take place along the pallet transfer line
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Sep 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Powered pallets on track replace conveyors
Most pallet transfer systems use a pair of parallel conveyor belts that support and drive the pallets.
But Montrac uses a powered pallet system.
Single belt used for lower cost pallet transfer
The inherent simplicity of the Montech single belt system, is not only cheaper to purchase than a comparable twin-belt system, but it is also much less costly to adapt, modify or expand.
As demand for the product increases, additional automation can be added a step at a time, gradually replacing the manual elements.
However, many users of traditional pallet transfer systems complain that they are noisy.
First, the pallets make an obtrusive knocking sound as they strike each other when they are forced to queue; second, there is often a whining noise from the drive belts as they slip beneath queuing pallets.
Further reading
Slide units simpler for pick-and-place
If all of these add-on costs are taken into account, a combination slide and actuator is likely to work out much cheaperthan designing a unit using individual components, says Montech.
Motor assembly cell based around indexing table
When Schunk decided to automate the assembly of the brush holders for its electric motors, the company wanted to build itself a machine quickly.
The compact and more efficient mini conveyors
Montech is launching a series of new Mini-conveyors which complement its existing Low-profile models and use a 24V brushless DC motor, rather than the more traditional AC variety
But Montech has come up with solutions that mitigate both of these problems.
Each pallet is fitted with an elastomeric shock absorber to cushion the impacts.
To reduce belt noise, an ingenious mechanism is used to raise the pallet just clear of the belt when the pallet is queueing.
A further benefit of this feature, which is believed to be unique, is that it greatly reduces friction heating of the belt and therefore cuts down on heat transfer to the machine chassis.
It also extends the belt's life.
For those stations on the transfer line where assembly is fully automated, Montech offers a highly accurate positioning unit.
This is capable of locating the pallets to within +/-0.02mm in all three axes, which is far better than can be achieved by some other systems.
Thanks to the modular nature of Montech's system, the high-accuracy positioning unit can easily replace one of the standard centring units.
These lower-cost alternatives can achieve a positional accuracy of +/-0.07mm in the two horizontal axes and +/-0.1mm in the vertical axis - fine for manual assembly, but sometimes insufficient for automated assembly.
Another useful feature of the Montech pallet transfer system is that access is available from beneath the conveyor if, for example, components need to be assembled from the underside.
And, if high forces need to be applied to the top, up to 10kN can be supported by the pallets when they are at an assembly station.
The pallets themselves have a maximum payload capacity of 2.5kg.
Automated and semi-automated production lines usually incorporate some level of test or inspection.
If so, it is essential that products can be identified as having passed or failed.
While this can be achieved within PLC programs using shift registers, an alternative offered by Montech is mechanical coding blocks on the pallets.
Of course, these can also be used for the identification of product types or any other information specific to a pallet and its payload.
The coding blocks are switched 'on' or 'off' by means of small pneumatic actuators and the codes are read by proximity switches.
Up to 12 coding blocks can be mounted on a pallet, giving 4096 unique combinations if a binary system is employed.
Being modular in nature, the pallet system can be easily assembled from straight transfer sections, 90-degree corners, 180-degree returns, and diverters that can redirect pallets to alternative loops in the system.
CAD files are available so that systems can be designed very quickly, and customers are also welcome to make use of Montech's experience in solving pallet transfer problems.
And don't forget that the pallet transfer system is fully compatible with Montech's Quick-Set aluminium framework system and vast range of automation components.
The pallet transfer system is featured on the Automation 2000 CD-Rom.
In addition, comprehensive literature is available that contains full technical details of the pallet transfer system.
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