CONTROL & AUTOMATION
SPU 2040
MK PROFILE SYSTEMS
MK’S ACCUMULATING PALLET
RECIRCULATION SYSTEM USED BY LEADING
GERMAN APPLIANCE MANUFACTURER
The accumulating pallet recirculation
system SPU 2040 enables cost-effective
and dynamic feeding, buffering,
positioning and separating of workpiece
pallets (WT). In this application the
SPU provided the perfect solution for
transporting the housing of dishwashers
for a leading German white goods
manufacturer.
When linking multiple cycle or changeover
times the SPU 2040 allows a countercyclical
operation with automatic recirculation of
the workpiece. A flat top chain carries the
workpieces on the WT to the assembly
plant. After removal of the workpieces the
empty pallets are safely carried over the
return roller and then conveyed back on
the underside of the conveyor. They are
then once again available at the starting
point of the conveyor waiting to be loaded
with new workpieces. A second conveying
level and devices for lifting and lowering
with complex control elements are no
longer required. No additional manual or
automated loading of pallets in necessary
either.
In this particular application the SPU will
equalise and buffer each dishwasher
housing carrier between two machines
through the process of becoming a welded
unit and a fully assembled unit. There is
also a requirement to stop the carriers for
optical inspections via image processing
and for mounting further components.
Although the SPU is available as both
a single and dual lane solution, due
to the size of the dishwasher housing
(approximately 800 x 600 x 400mm) a
double lane solution was provided in this
instance. Additionally the carriers consist
of two parts, to ensure navigation around
the return roller.
The SPU 2040 is very compact in
comparison with other systems on the
market so meant low space requirements
for this appliance manufacturer. It also
offers the benefit of good ergonomic
properties for workers who place or
remove the dishwasher housing from the
system.
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PECM Issue 35
Due to the proven mk modular design the
SPU 2040 is adjustable so can be further
enhanced or adapted as the white goods
manufacturer’s production requirements
grow or need adapting.
To find out more please visit www.
mkprofiles.co.uk, call (01949) 823751
or email [email protected].