Transfer station for overhead conveyor system
Task
Our partner Quickmove, a manufacturer of overhead conveyor systems, needs a transfer station from an overhead conveyor to a manual workstation and back for a customer in the automotive industry.
An overhead conveyor is a rail-mounted ceiling transport system used to implement space-saving track designs. By utilising the free spaces above existing machines, they are ideally suited for material flow in confined spaces.
In this case, the overhead conveyor transports small load carriers (SLC) with a size of 600x400 mm and a weight of approx. 20 kg/unit. The SLCs must then be transferred to a pallet circulation system. The pallet circulation system should buffer the SLCs, stop them at the workstation and transfer them back into the cycled flow of the overhead conveyor. Problem-free integration into the existing system and seamless correspondence with the customer’s controller are essential.
In addition, the transfer area must be surrounded by a protective fence to protect the workers.
Solution from mk
The ideal solution for transporting the small load carriers was developed using a circulation system made up of roller conveyors RBT-P 2255 with a tangential chain drive. Three straight roller conveyors are arranged in a U-shape with corner transfer units. The SLCs are picked up and removed while the overhead conveyor is moving. A narrow timing belt conveyor ZRF-P 2040 with side roller strips is integrated on the infeed end of the circulation system to prevent tipping. A dual-line timing belt conveyor ZRF-P 2010 is used on the discharge end for removing the SLCs. Up to 11 transport boxes can be accommodated on the circulation system. The entire circulation system is designed for the worker at an ergonomic working height.
The corresponding protective device guard encloses the transfer area up to a height of 2.5 m, and the roller conveyor circulation system extends from the protective device guard. The protective fence was constructed with panel frames made from Series 40 aluminium profiles and filled with welded grids. Cantilevers for mounting the overhead conveyor were also integrated above the protective fence.
Customer benefits
- Profile design allows for quick assembly
- Safe working environment
- Simple integration into overall systems
- Interfaces based on customer specifications
Products used
> Roller conveyor RBT-P 2255
> Timing belt conveyor ZRF-P 2040
> Timing belt conveyor ZRF-P 2010
> Guarding
