ConveyorsAustin Rogers

11/7/2014

Overview

“A Conveyor is a mechanical apparatus for moving items or bulk materials…” Groover [1]

When to use a conveyor?

Large quantities

Fixed Paths

Handling Hazardous materials

Hazardous Environment

Dichotomies

Level: floor, table, overhead

Powered or non-powered

Continuous and Asynchronous

Current State

Where are conveyors used?

“Commonly used in automated material transport systems in manufacturing plants,

warehouses, and

distribution centers” Groover [1]

[4]

Who uses conveyors?

Manufacturing Industries

Automotive

Agriculture

Computer/electrical

Pharmaceutical

Bottling/canning

PackagingThe Digital Universe [9]

What are conveyors used for?

Materials handling

Handling Hazardous Materials

Chemicals

Hypodermic Needles

Hazardous Environments

Rolling, Forging, Sintering etc…

Automated manufacturing

Painting

Does not require dexterous motion

Strenuous, repetitive work for humans

BusinessWeek.com

PanTaiwan.com

When are conveyors used?

24/7

IM Flash, Lehi, UT

BD Medical, Sandy, UT

Hazardous applications

High Volume

Fixed Paths

Why are conveyors used?

Safer than other methods such as manually lifting and forklifts

Hazardous materials

Hazardous environments

Repeatability

Cheaper that human labor

Eliminates strenuous human labor

Capable of moving loads of all shapes, sizes, and weights

Reliability & Repeatability

Cost of ConveyorSystems

Gravity Conveyor: $155.00 [3]

Flexible & Expandable Gravity Conveyor: $1,929.00 [3]

Pricing guidelines for 24” wideconveyor [4]

Supporting Technologies Facility Requirements:

Usually used inside

Necessary Power

AC/DC

Pneumatic/Hydraulic

Maintenance Support

Personnel

Tools & Parts

Supporting Technologies:

Sensors

Proximity

RFID Reader

Actuators Motors

Pallet Stops

Pallet Lifts

Pallet Locating

Sorting

Control Algorithms

Sorting

Asynchronous Motion

Safety Mechanisms

Guarding

Emergency Stops

Roller & Skate Wheel Conveyors

Advantage:

Simple

Non-powered

Disadvantage:

Load must be flat-bottomed

Often non-powered

Use in Industry:

Belt Conveyor

Advantage:

Simple

Powered

Disadvantage:

Locating part

Temperature

Use in Industry:

Overhead Conveyor

IM Flash Facility, Lehi, UT [2]

Advantage:

Part is Accessible

Small Footprint

Disadvantage:

Integrated in facility

Specific Container Size

Use in Industry:

Towline

[6]

[6]

Advantage:

Heavy Loads

Non-powered

Disadvantage:

Slow

Integrated in facility

Use in Industry:

Cart on TrackUse in Industry:

Vertical ConveyorsSpiral Conveyors

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Use in Industry:

Motion Up = Powered

Motion Down = Non-powered / Gravity

How does it work?

Application Rules / Limitations

Require regular maintenance

Well lubricated

Protected from contaminates

Many parts

O-rings, fittings, bearings, gears etc…

There is not a universal conveyor system

Weight limitations

Each new product must be deemed acceptable for the conveyor

$$ Cost $$

$6,550.00: 250 lbs load capacity

100 lbs / ft.

150 lbs / ft

Vendors

Technical Paper Do Belt Conveyor Standards Replace Fundamental Principles?

“Belt conveyor standards are essential and serve to maintain universally acceptable minimum guide lines for the design criteria. However, occasionally some belt systems do not meet with the design engineer’s or end user’s expectations”

“Standards are essential. Additionally, a sound understanding of belt conveyor principles is imperative to achieve an efficient installation. For the majority of conveyors the available standards give a straight forward approach to the design calculations.”

“It must be appreciated that a conveyor system comprises of mechanical, electrical and control devices. An ideal conveyor system is a harmonious interaction between all the components and therefore a change in any one of these can upset he total balance of the system.”

K-P. Muller [5]

Main Idea:

There are many established conveyor standards. Use these design standards when choosing and analyzing a conveyor system to ensure clear communication between manufacturer, supplier, and end user.

Standards: ISO 5048

ISO 5048:1989: Continuous mechanical handling equipment – Belt conveyors with carrying idlers –Calculation of operating power and tensile force

Abstract:

Specifies methods for the calculation of the operating power requirements on the driving pulley of a belt conveyor, and of the tensile forces exerted on the belt. Applies to belt conveyors with carrying idlers. Lays down the definitions, symbols and units etc. and defines the resistances to motion of belt conveyor, the driving force and power requirements and the capacity and cross-section of a conveyor with a smooth patternless belt. ISO [8]

Practice Problem [1]

Roller Conveyor follows a pathway 35 m long.

Velocity: 40 m/min

2 operators work at loading station,

1st loads parts into tote (25 seconds)

2nd loads totes onto conveyor (10 seconds)

Determine the spacing between tote pans along the conveyor

Spacing between totes

Velocity: 40 m/min

Critical Time: 25 Sec

Spacing = (25 sec)*(min/60sec)*(40 m/min)

Spacing = 16.67 m

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUtS52lqL5w

Conveyor Systems Summary “A Conveyor is a mechanical apparatus for moving

items or bulk materials…” Groover [1]

When to use a conveyor?

Large quantities

Fixed Paths

Handling Hazardous materials

Hazardous Environment

Used in: Manufacturing Plants, Warehouses, Distribution Centers Manufacturing Industries

Automotive

Agriculture

Computer/electrical

Pharmaceutical

Bottling/canning

Packaging

Materials handling

Handling Hazardous Materials

Chemicals

Hypodermic Needles

Hazardous Environments

Rolling, Forging, Sintering etc…

Automated manufacturing

Painting

Supporting Technologies:

Sensors

Proximity

RFID Reader

Actuators Motors

Pallet Stops

Pallet Lifts

Pallet Locating

Sorting

Control Algorithms

Sorting

Asynchronous Motion

Safety Mechanisms

Guarding

Emergency Stops Limitations

Require regular maintenance

There is not a universal conveyor system

$$ Cost $$

Austin Rogers11/7/2014

References

[1] Groover, Mikell P. "Conveyors." Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Higher Education, 2015. 284 - 289. Print.

[2] "IM Flash Technologies Tour." WebReserve.com. WebReserv.com, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.webreserv.com/embastudentbyuut>.

[3] "Conveyors." U Line. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.uline.com/Grp_475/Conveyors>.

[4] Bastian II, Bill. "Project Planning: How Much Does Conveyor Cost?" Bastian Solutions: Innovative Automation Solutions. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2013/08/08/how-much-does-conveyor-cost/#.VFkYZhBNxfF>.

[5] Muller, K-P. "Do Belt Conveyor Standards Replace Fundamental Principles?" Double Arrow. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.doublearrowbelt.com/client/1.do belt conveyor standards replace fundamental principles.pdf>.

[6] “RSI Incoportated: Custom Finishing & Material Handline Systems”. Rhodes Systems International Incorporated, 2005. 5 Nov 2014.<http://www.rsisystemsinc.net/infloortowconveyor.htm>

[7] ”Cart on Track Conveyor.” Shmula.com. Shmula LLC, 2014. 5 Nov 2014.<http://www.shmula.com/cart-on-track-conveyor/8444/>

[8] Home (ISO 5048:1989)http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=11069

[9] “Behind the Scenes of BYU’s Culinary Support Center”. The Digital Universe. 2013 The Universe – Brigham Young University.<http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/07/final-story-behind-the-scenes-of-byus-culinary-support-center/>