Conveyor-based buffering system helps to boost productivity

Earlier in 2008 Automation Supplies announced the addition of a new flexible product transportation system, known as FlexMove, to its already extensive portfolio of conveyors. Sales of the new system have passed all expectations thanks to a combination of high product quality, design and materials, together with exceptional value for money.

FlexMove is designed to provide highly competitive, cost-effective, versatile plastic chain (or slat) conveying options for a wide range of industry applications such as filling, packaging, inspection, storage, general manufacturing and assembly in industries such as automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical, labelling and many more. With a wide range of options and chain designs, together with high quality, FlexMove gives end users real choice when investing in a modular conveying system.

One recent application saw the customer switch from a leading supplier of modular conveyors to the FlexMove product - and was more than pleased with the end result. The application was in a plastic injection moulding environment where the end user wanted to increase the productivity of its moulding machines and reduce operator interaction within the process. The idea was to have enough capacity in the handling system to increase the speed of the process and reduce downtime. The concept was to pick multiple parts from the moulding machine and set up the whole process at the start of a shift; the whole production run would therefore be taken from the machine at much less frequent intervals, thereby freeing up the operator to control two or more machines.

Pallets and productivity

Using the versatility of the FlexMove system, it was possible to create a 5m long twin-lane loop high-capacity conveyor system that could handle large pallets 500mm square. This in turn allowed the customer to mould four impressions in one machine cycle, remove them with a robotic handling system and place them precisely onto a pre-engineered pallet. When full, the system receives a signal and moves a new pallet into position. This process continues until all ten pallets are full, making the total mould capacity on the handling system 3600 pieces. Bearing in mind that the previous capacity per pallet was 60 pieces, the operator involvement has reduced drastically and productivity is up.

With FlexMove there are no barriers to change. Chain widths and design are compatible with the leading plastic chain systems, the quality of design is exceptional, the range is comprehensive and the prices reflect the maturity and accepted reliability of the product in the modern production environment. Automation Supplies delivered the conveyor in modules that could be easily and quickly reassembled, having been previously assembled and load tested before shipping. With clear reassembly markings and an easy-to-use assembly guide, the two conveyor systems delivered were assembled in just three days.

More information about FlexMove conveyors is available at www.conveyors-systems.co.uk.