Efficient, Reliable Automation for the Highest Security Requirements
Task
Cartridge cases need to be securely transported upright through an X-ray cell
A defence engineering company wanted to save staff in its Quality Assurance department from having to manually pick up and place heavy cartridges, which weigh up to 70 kilograms, into an X-ray device so that they can be checked for potential damage – at rates of up to 100 times per hour. Opening and closing the lead-clad X-ray device involves a huge amount of physical strain. With that in mind, the aim was to automate the infeed and outfeed processes to relieve the burden on staff while also increasing safety and productivity.
The company set out to find a specialist in conveyor technology that could develop a robust and fail-safe system for automatically conveying upright shells. It chose to collaborate with Maschinenbau Kitz – the main company in the mk Technology Group, or mk for short.
Solution from mk
TKU 2040 timing chain conveyor with rolling pallet
The TKU 2040 timing chain conveyor provides the basis for the solution. It transports the cartridges through the X-ray cell on pallets (the image shows a greatly simplified version of the workpiece holder) in a cycle controlled by a dual circulating roller chain.
mk modified the conveyor for this transport task. The challenge was to decouple the surface pressure caused by the 70 kg cartridges from the conveyor chain. To do so, mk developed a pallet on rollers that is attached to the chain and pulled along a track. Along with the custom workpiece holder, this ensures that the upright cases can be moved and stopped without tipping over. The solution ensures precise, fail-safe and durable operation.
This is how the conveying path works: The system comes fitted with 24 aluminium pallets with workpiece fixtures. The cartridges are positioned on the fixtures using a loading crane. The products then automatically move into the X-ray cell through a heavy, lead-clad pendulum flap. The design of the drive chain and motor is adapted to this additional mechanical load.
The mk design department also equipped the conveying path with sensors that detect the position of the pallet. They send a signal to the higher-level PLC as soon as a cartridge reaches the test station. The PLC controls the whole process, stopping the pallet, performing the X-ray check and moving the pallet on through a second pendulum flap. The checked cartridges are then removed from the workpiece fixtures. The empty pallets are diverted at the end of the conveying path, travelling back to the start of the path on the underside to save space.
Operational safety is also at the forefront. The tails are fitted with protective device guards and the whole conveying path is covered in panelling, preventing unintended access during operation.
Customer benefits
- Reduces the strain on employees through automation: The conveying path automates the transport of cartridges into and out of the X-ray cubicle – including opening the heavy, lead-clad inspection doors.
- High reliability and durability: Thanks to the specially developed pallet, the strain caused by the weight of the cartridge cases is not placed on the conveyor chain.
- Increased operational safety: Protective device guards and sheet metal covering protect staff
Products used
> TKU 2040 timing chain conveyor
