1
Selecting a Conveyor Type
8
Conveyed product
The conveyor is selected while taking into consideration
the product weight, the distributed load, the overall
load, the dimensions and the product transport
position. Specific product properties such as temperature,
sensitivity to shock, whether the product contains
oil or has sharp edges also influence the selection.
Transport route
The most suitable conveyor system is determined
based on whether the product is conveyed with a
specified orientation (e.g. using a pallet) or without a
particular order and whether it is conveyed straight,
around a curve or onto another level. The transport
output quantity (i.e. speed) also influences the selection.
Ambient conditions
When configuring a conveyor, we assume the usual
ambient conditions in the production facility. That is,
the application is indoors at temperatures of +10° to
+60° C, in a clean environment with the usual humidity
of 30 - 60% and there is no condensation or dripping
water.
Low temperatures down to -20° C are possible on
request. Ambient temperatures above 80° C are only
briefly permissible for most plastics. Ambient temperatures
higher than 150° C are only permissible for
aluminium base structures after testing. However, the
temperatures for contact between the product and
transport medium of up to 200° C are possible when
using steel chains.
Suitably adapted conveyors are available for applications
in cleanrooms and sterile areas, for hygiene,
food production or pharmaceutical specifications or
for usage in harsh environmental conditions, potentially
explosive atmospheres and painting applications.
Information on Conveyor Technology
Duty type: continuous,
accumulating,
fixed-cycle operation
The conveyor configuration ultimately depends on
the duty type. In continuous operation, the conveyor
and the product run without interruption. The goods
to be conveyed are fed onto the running conveyor.
During accumulated operation, the conveyor continues
to run below the accumulated product. For
example, twice the motor power is required in this
case.
If the conveyor is to be activated and deactivated
up to four times per minute as required (e.g. to load
parts or remove them manually), we refer to this as
on/off operation. We also always recommend this
to reduce wear if it is foreseeable that no action will
occur for more than 30 seconds.
As a rule, the cycling operation is a fixed cycle that
is repeated. If there are more than 30 cycles per
minute, servo drives are usually required. Rates of
more than 60 cycles per minute are available on
request, but they require a detailed assessment of
the application.
The specification of the repeatability and positioning
accuracy to be achieved is important for cycle operation.
Positioning accuracy in a range of ± 10 mm is
possible with simple devices, such as initiators or
light barriers. As a rule, the range of ± 5 mm requires
a positive-locking drive and control with signal transducers.
The range of ± 1 mm represents the transition
to the linear technology.
Factors influencing the selection