Timing Belt Conveyor From mk serves as Load Handling Device
CONTROL & AUTOMATION SEW DRIVE TECHNOLOGY
MK PROFILE SYSTEMS
Timing Belt Conveyor From mk serves as Load Handling Device
SEW-EURODRIVE has established efficient and flexible processes to achieve its vision for Industry 4.0 . SEW ’ s new design for automated guided vehicles at its main U . S . location includes integrated timing belt conveyors from mk . These vehicles serve as mobile workbenches for mounting individual gearboxes .
Classic interlinked conveyor technology is the most efficient way to automate processes in mass production . In customised production , however , the requirements are ever-changing – with “ lot size one ” being the key word . This is where the flexibility of automated guided vehicles can be put to good use .
At its American headquarters in Lyman , South Carolina , SEW-EURODRIVE has built a flexible production facility that is optimised for precisely such custom production – where classic conveyor technology is combined with flexible workstations . The autonomous vehicles drive through the hall independently , picking up pre-assembled gearboxes from a belt conveyor and taking them to the workers , who can then continue mounting them on the vehicle itself as if they were at a mobile workbench . The vehicle then travels to the next station and transfers the gearbox back to a belt conveyor . It is thus possible to mount individual gearboxes , with efficient and flexible processes .
Through its “ MAXOLUTION System Solutions ” business segment , SEW offers scalable and future-proof system solutions in the field of mobile and rail-guided conveyor technology . As an overall solution supplier for automated guided vehicle systems , it focuses not only on the vehicles themselves but also on all the services associated with them , from system planning to commissioning and servicing . The vehicles and system components are produced at SEW-EURODRIVE ’ s headquarters in Bruchsal , Germany . Alongside SEW ’ s world-renowned modular system for gearmotors and electronic products , it also engineers autonomous vehicles based on an innovative modular technology and software system .
A timing belt conveyor is more economical and requires less maintenance than the chain conveyor in the original plan .
This system makes it possible to configure individual vehicles while keeping complexity low .
TIMING BELT CONVEYOR FROM MK MAKES THE IDEAL LOAD HANDLING DEVICE
To autonomously pick up and then set down the gearmotors with a belt conveyor , the vehicles need an appropriately powered load handling device . “ We had initially considered a chain conveyor that we could integrate into our vehicles ,” says Aaron Bronner . However , working with the conveyor technology experts at the mk Technology Group ( mk ), the team found a better solution . “ We decided on a dual-line timing belt conveyor instead of a chain conveyor ,” says Ulrich Klein , one of the field representatives at mk who assisted with
the project . A timing belt conveyor is more economical and requires less maintenance than the chain conveyor in the original plan . Furthermore , the timing belt has a higher contact area than the chain . That also provides greater stability for the product on the vehicle , even when navigating sharp corners or making abrupt ( emergency ) stops . The ZRF-P 2010 timing belt conveyor from mk was the ideal solution for the project : it can safely carry the maximum load of 160 kg , and the drive variants available also allow for reverse operation ( in both directions ).
Because mk uses SEW drive technology as standard , integrating the drive was not a problem . The experts at MAXOLUTION programmed the controller and coordinated it with the overall system .
To find more contact mk Profile Systems on ( 01949 ) 823751 , email info @ mkprofiles . co . uk or visit www . mkprofiles . co . uk
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