The inherent simplicity of the Montech single belt system, is not only cheaper to purchase than a comparable twin-belt system, but it is also much less costly to adapt, modify or expand.Single belt used for lower cost pallet transfer system Most engineers are familiar with the concept of a typical pallet transfer system whereby pallets carrying components or sub-assemblies are transferred between either automatic or manual assembly stations - or both - with the drive and support coming from a pair of driven parallel belts. This type of arrangement is fine so long as everything is moving in a straight line, but as soon as pallets need to be diverted off the direct line, turned at a corner or transferred to a secondary loop (perhaps a buffer), things become far more complex. It is usually found that to manipulate the pallet it has to be lifted, perhaps turned, moved laterally and lowered into its new position.
Anyone who has experience of automation will appreciate that this is all rather complicated for what should be a simple operation.
Montech's latest pallet transfer system, however, takes a different approach thanks to the use of a single wide belt rather than twin belts.
The single belt transfer system is therefore more akin to a conveyor belt, which opens up possibilities for using fixed or pneumatically-operated diverters, simple corner sections, and high-accuracy positioning stations.
Consequently there is a limit on the size of the plastic pallets that can be used, this being a maximum size of 160mm x 160mm and a weight of 2.5kg.
But for many applications this will be more than adequate.
Controlling the system is extremely simple, using proximity sensors to detect the presence of pallets and straightforward single-phase or three-phase motor controllers for the conveyors.
A short 2-second cycle time can be maintained, and the accuracy of the positioning units is an excellent +/-0.05mm.
One of the complaints often made about conventional pallet transfer systems is that the claimed system flexibility is not always as easy to achieve as might be expected.
For example, if an additional station has to be inserted, it is not necessarily an easy task to split a twin-belt system, insert a new station, and provide a new drive arrangement for the downstream end of the twin-belt transfer line.
Conversely, to add another station to the single belt transfer system could just be a matter of adding a fixed diverter to direct pallets off the main transfer line towards the new station, then another to divert them back again.
It can easily be seen that, due to the inherent simplicity of the single belt system, it is not only cheaper to purchase than a comparable twin-belt system, but it is also much less costly to adapt, modify or expand in the future to cope with increased production demands.
The single belt transfer system is fully compatible with Montech's Quick-Set aluminium framework system and, being based on the standard TB series of conveyors, the system uses proven technology and can quickly be configured for rapid delivery.