Inverted conveyor offers increased productivity

Inverted conveyor offers increased productivity

Keywords: MCM Conveyor Systems, Huf, Conveyors

MCM Conveyor Systems, a division of Amber Industries Ltd, reports that it has successfully commissioned an inverted “power and free” conveyor system at Huf UK Limited's West Midlands manufacturing site at Tipton, near Dudley, UK.

Valued in excess of £190,000, the E8 system forms part of a new paint plant supplied by Hayden Drysys International Limited and claims complete control of the production rate, lower maintenance costs and increased productivity – allowing several components to be sprayed simultaneously.

Huf UK manufactures a wide range of components for the automotive industry including door handles, locksets and components. The conveyor transports jigs with their components through the paint spraying process. With each component jig weighing up to 15kg, MCM specified one of its medium duty E8 “power and free” inverted conveyors which can handle up to 12 jigs per hour.

MCM's inverted conveyor system comprises the same components as the more traditional overhead “power and free” system but the trolleys,tracks and chains are floor mounted below the conveyor trolley and therefore out of sight. The jigs are mounted on trolleys which run in a specially designed twin guide track.

The inverted configuration is said to make these conveyors ideal for transporting components through environments where, for example, paint or powder spraying is taking place. In both cases, when compared with overhead conveyors,the risk of contaminating the conveyor's components is believed to be greatly reduced. Products can be either mounted on jigs or pivoted trays or laid on to a section of conveyor bed.

According to MCM, traditional conveyor designs often develop serious problems when transporting products through paint environments. Breakdowns due to contamination are said to be commonplace, thereby increasing downtime and maintenance costs. MCM conveyors, with their specially constructed lubrication system, claim trouble-free transport through these types of environments. Products are readily routed, loaded and off loaded. With the Huf UK system,automatic indexing routes the jigs around the plant.

The conveyor's trolley assembly provides routeing and operational flexibility. When the trolley is in the powered section of the conveyor, the conveyor offers unrestricted movement of the trolley and load around the system.

However, while the conveyor continues to run, jigs with their load can be accumulated within the system's “free” or static sections. When appropriate, this type of conveyor allows components to be stopped at assembly stations or routed from one conveyor to another.

MCM specialises in a wide range of overhead conveyor systems including“power and free” versions. The range of conveyors includes enclosed chain models for light (up to 25kg) and medium (up to 105kg) duty applications and open chain models for medium (up to 91kg), heavy (up to 200kg) and extra heavy duty (up to 545kg) applications. A light duty “power and free”system is available as well as a selection of E8X “power and free”models.

Peer, another division of Amber Industries Ltd, specialises in the design,supply and installation of floor mounted conveyors including gravity and powered roller conveyors, horizontal and inclined belt conveyors and heavy duty pallet conveyors. It also manufactures a range of “zero pressure”accumulating roller conveyors specifically designed for handling fragile products.

Details available from MCM Conveyor Systems. Tel: +44 (0) 161 284 2222.