Heres Information That Will Help You..
!Design a New Conveyor System
Plan your complete Overhead Trolley Conveyor System.and select all the basic components to make this system operate effectively.
!Expand or Improve Your Present System
To meet changing demands.solve operating problems.or make it more efficient.
!Replace Worn or Malfunctioning Units
As a practical means of reducing maintenance costs or avoiding breakdowns.
Handling Systems and Conveyors ..always one move ahead!
At HSC, we custom build our equipment to meet your specific production needs, utilizing standard structural components and the latest technologies available. Cost-efficient and intelligently engineered overhead components that conform to your changing production needs are the trademark at HSC. We build smart systems from the ground up that can: !Utilize off the shelf tractor and hoist assemblies from proven manufacturers. !Interface with robots, local networks and existing production equipment. !Accommodate multiple load and unload points. !Assure extraordinary precision to further improve production economics. !Utilize available plant space in the safest most efficient manner. !Provide for multiple inspection and assembly stations. !Increase productivity and enhance product quality at the same time. !Reduce your down time and maintenance problems. !Meet the most demanding customer requirements.
Justifying the New or Improved System
Very often an important factor in obtaining approval of a new or improved system is justifying these changes to management. So consider as you plan how these changes can improve production.cut costs.speed workflow.reduce maintenance.or prove other benefits to your operations.
Index
Conveyor Symbols Definitions Sample Layout Designing Your System Friction Factor Tables Conveyor Components
Chain Trolleys & Attachments (Courtesy of C.L. Frost) I-Beam Drives Take Ups Roller Turns Traction Wheels Vertical Curves Anti-Backups Anti-Runaways Expansion Joints Guarding
Erection Principles Maintenance & Trouble Shooting Safety General Engineering Information
Overhead Trolley Conveyor Symbols
Traction Wheel
Definitions for Overhead Trolley Conveyors
Adjustable Speed Drive: A type of drive with a speed-changing device (typically a variable speed pulley) by which the speed of the conveyor can be changed. There are two methods of varying the conveyor speed; one is by mechanical means through a variable speed pulley and an adjustable motor base, the second is electronically. The conveyor speed is adjusted by changing the hertz to the motor. Most motors are at full RPM at 60 hertz. The relationship between hertz to rpm is linear (lowering the hertz will lower the RPM). Air Operated Take-up: See take-up. Anti-Backup: A safety device to stop the chain (trolley & product load) from backing up. Typically used on incline verticals to prevent a load(s) from rolling backwards due to chain failure. Antibackups can be supplied with or without a limit switch. The limit switch is normally wired into an emergency stop circuit. Anti-Runaway: A safety device to stop the chain (trolley & product load(s)) from running away in the event of an electrical or mechanical failure. Typically used on decline verticals to prevent a load(s) from running away. Anti-runaways can be supplied with or without a limit switch. The limit switch is normally wired into an emergency stop circuit. Automatic Lubricator: A device used to lubricate the chain, trolley wheels and other conveyor components as they pass. Most automatic lubricators require 115VAC and plant air. Automatic Take-up: See take-up. Back-Up Bar: A metal bar (typically an alloy that is heat treated) used to back up the caterpillar chain of a drive to hold the drive chain dogs in proper contact with the conveyor chain. Back-Up Rollers: A nest of rollers on the caterpillar drive that maintains pressure on the conveyor chain in order to insure proper engagement of the caterpillar chain to the conveyor chain. The back-up rollers and the back-up bar work together to keep the caterpillar chain engaged with the conveyor chain. Balanced Drives: Conveyor drives designed so that two or more drives can operate on a single chain. The drives should be balanced in chain pull and are designed to share the load requirements. Bracing: Diagonal or horizontal members used to prevent swaying in the conveyor supporting structure. Caterpillar Chain: A short roller chain (typically 10 ft. long) with dogs on predetermined centers (depending on conveyor chain size) to mesh with the conveyor chain. The caterpillar chain drives or sometimes is driven by the conveyor chain. The dog centers on a caterpillar chain for a 348 system is 12; 458 system is 8; 678 system is 12. The size of the dogs will vary depending on the conveyor chain size.
Caterpillar Chain Dog: A dog or tooth attached to a caterpillar drive chain to provide the driving contact with the conveyor chain. Caterpillar Drive: See Drive. Center Link: The loop-shaped link of rivetless chain, which provides the bearing, surfaces for the pins. Trolleys are inserted into the centerlink to support the chain from the rail. Chain Pin: The pin that is used to connect each link of the chain and is also the pivot surface. Drive: Caterpillar Drive: A drive equipped with a caterpillar chain to provide the propelling contact with the conveyor chain. Sprocket Drive: A conveyor chain driving unit using a sprocket to transmit power to the chain, located at a turn of approximately 90 degrees or greater. Drive Frame: The structure which supports the drive shaft assembly and machine parts and which contains or supports the motive power or supports the assembly to which the motive power is connected. Drive Shaft: Main driving shaft on which the conveyor sprocket is mounted. Drive Sprocket: Sprocket of a caterpillar drive or of a sprocket drive. Drop: The vertical distance from the bottom of the track to centerline of the chain. Guard: Conveyor Guard: A structure mounted below the conveyor path to protect personnel below. Conveyor guarding is required anywhere the bottom of the product is greater than 7-0 from the floor level. Machinery Guard: A covering or barricade for safety purposes such as gear, chain and V-belt guards. Hanger Steel: Angles or rods by which a conveyor is hung from supports above. Link: A chain unit of one pitch length. Load Bar: A device used to distribute a load a load over two or more trolleys. Rivetless Chain: A completely forged, heat treated chain of pins, side links and center links which can be assembled or disassembled without the use of tools. Roller Turn: A series of vertical rollers mounted in a frame to guide a conveyor chain around a horizontal curve. Roller Turn Roller: The vertical roller with integral bearings as used in the roller turn. Side Link: The portion of the chain that longitudinally connects joint portions at each end of the centerlink with chain pins.
Definitions Contd.
Superstructure: Members to which the hanger steel is connected and which transfers the load to the building members. Typically described as the columns and main headers to support the conveyor from. Take-Up: The assembly of the necessary structural and mechanical parts that provides the means to adjust the length of chain to compensate for stretch, shrink or wear in order to maintain proper tension. Air Operated Take-up: A take-up mechanism where adjustments are made automatically by an air cylinder. Counterweighted Take-up: A take-up mechanism where the adjustment is made automatically by the potential energy of weights. Screw Take-up: A take-up mechanism having provision for manual adjustment by one or more screws. Spring Take-up: A take-up mechanism where adjustments are made automatically by the potential energy of springs. Track: The I-beam section on which trolley wheels roll while being propelled. Traction Wheel Turn: A smooth wheel with out dogs or teeth to guide the conveyor chain around a horizontal curve. Trolley: An assembly of two half-trolleys (each with a wheel, bearing and bracket) and an attachment. It is used to support and move suspended loads and to carry the load connecting and conveying chain. Trolley Attachments: Bolt Attachment: A trolley attachment having a threaded rod projection for attaching a load bar or various objects. Sometimes called a B attachment. Clevis Attachment: attachment. A forked or clevis type trolley attachment. Sometimes called an H
Definitions Contd.
Idler Attachment: An attachment used to complete the assembly of a nonleaded carrying trolley. Sometimes called an I attachment. Pendant Attachment: A single bar trolley attachment projecting through the chain having a single hole for supporting loads. Sometimes called a C attachment. Trolley Brackets: Drop forged, cast or pressed steel members to which the trolley wheels are attached with provisions for connecting to the chain. Trolley Wheel: The circular member with an integral bearing mounted to the trolley bracket. Vertical Curve: Compound Vertical Curve: An assembly of two single vertical curves with necessary connecting track to accomplish a change in elevation. Single Vertical Curve: A section of track bent in a desired curve to change the direction of a conveyor in the vertical plane.
Typical Overhead Conveyor Layout
Planning Your Overhead Conveyor System
An Overhead Conveyor System offers many advantages in terms of the ability to transport your product in unused plant spaces above the work area. The following design steps are recommended for your use and assistance in designing an Overhead Conveyor System. These steps are established procedures and practices that have been standardized in the material handling industry. Handling Systems engineers are always available for assistance in designing your system whether it is basic or complex involving custom engineered components for unusual applications.
Layout and Conveyor Path Step 1
Draw a layout of the building in which the conveyor is to be located either on graph paper or CAD system to a known scale (e.g. =1-0 or =1-0). Identify columns or bays and dimension column centers. Identify the North direction. Locate, dimension and label all obstructions, which will affect the routing of the conveyor (e.g. columns, walls, machinery, ductwork, piping). Draw conveyor route so that it connects all areas in their proper sequence with the most economical path for the system. Keep parallel conveyor routes as closely spaced as possible to reduce the amount of supporting members and guards required. Avoid using horizontal curved sections of track in an incline or decline. Verify that the path of the conveyor does not interfere with any machine operations or work areas. Indicate the location of drives, vertical curves, horizontal turns, load & unload areas relative to the column grid. Refer to the typical layout and conveyor symbols in this manual.
Carriers Step 2
Determine the number of parts to be carried on one carrier. Establish the over all carrier size while maintaining the over all dimensions as compact as possible. Calculate the maximum weight of the carrier and product to determine the allowable trolley load. The design of the carrier should permit easy loading and unloading. Design carrier assembly to fit the trolley and chain attachments. Incorporating the design to fit standard trolley attachments will eliminate the cost of special attachments. Make a plan view layout of the carrier at the horizontal turns and an elevation view of a typical vertical curve to determine proper carrier spacing. Carrier and trolley spacing is relative to the size system you are planning to use. Trolley spacing must be in multiples of 6 for a 3 system, 8 for a 4 system and 12 for a 6 system.
Elevation Step 3
Elevations are measured from the floor level to the top of the conveyor track. The elevation of the conveyor track at the Load and Unload areas with carriers assembled on the trolleys is determined by the parts being handled and the convenience level for the operator to remove or place product on the carrier. Clearance over work areas and aisles should be at least 8-0. Conveyor guarding is required wherever the bottom of the carrier is greater than 70 above the finished floor.
Determining the Conveyor Size Step 4
Select trolley size by checking the maximum allowable load with the carrier weight. Table No. 1 Approximate Allowable Suspended Load on Two-Wheel Trolley I-Beam Track Size 3 I @ 5.7# 4 I @ 7.7# 6 I @ 12.5# Maximum Load 200 lbs. 400 lbs. 1200 lbs.
Normally the trolley capacity will determine the size of the conveyor. In some cases, the maximum allowable chain pull may be exceeded even though the trolley loads may be within the capacity of the rail and trolleys. In these cases, either specify the next larger system or go to multiple drives. See the chain pull step for more information.
Determining System Production Rate Step 5
Reference step 2 for the number of parts per carrier. Determine the required production rate per hour. Sample: Carrier Capacity: Production Requirements: Reqd. No. of Carriers/hr.: Reqd. No. of Carriers/min.: 2 parts 180 pts/hr. 180 / 2 = 90 90 / 60 = 1.5
Determine Trolley Spacing Step 6
Refer to step 2 for carrier size. Refer to Table No. 2 & No. 3 for recommended maximum trolley spacing. If carrier size is larger than the recommended trolley spacing, intermediate trolleys are required for chain support. Reference the steps pertaining to the vertical curves and horizontal curves.
Planning Your Overhead Conveyor System Contd.
Selecting a Vertical Curve Step 7
Always use the largest possible radius for vertical curves to assure longer conveyor life. Use the minimum radius curves where absolutely necessary. Reference Table 2. Table No. 2 Minimum Radii for Vertical Curve With Drop Forged Rivetless Chain (Radius Given to Centerline of I-Beam Track)
Chain Size Trolley Spacing 8" 12" 16" 18" 24" 30" 32" 36" 6'-6" 8'-0" 10'-0" 8'-0" 10'-0" 12'-0" 10'-0" 12'-0" 15'-0" 20'-0" 8'-0" 10'-0" 12'-0" 15'-0" 5'-0" 6'-6" 6'-6" 8'-0" Min. X-348 Max. Min. 5'-0" X-458 Max. 6'-6" 8'-0" 12'-0" Min. X-678 Max.
Create an elevation layout drawing showing two of the product carriers traveling up/down the vertical. Verify that the carriers clear each other and also clear the chain. Determine a tentative carrier spacing. (Reference sample drawing) Indicate on your scaled drawing the horizontal length between tangent points of each vertical curve along with its radius and degree. Locate each vertical in relation to the building grid or column location.
Planning Your Overhead Conveyor System Contd.
Selection of Horizontal Turns Step 8
Make a large-scale layout of a horizontal turn. Make two templates of the plan view of the carrier and move them properly spaced over the path of the horizontal turn. Check that the carriers clear each other. (Reference sample drawing) Select the horizontal turns best suited for the requirements from the roller turn and traction wheel section an as determined by the carrier clearance. A length of straight rail equal to one trolley space should always be provided between the tangent point of a horizontal turn and the tangent point of a vertical curve. Table No. 3 Minimum Recommended Radius And Diameter Turns For Various Trolley Spacing
Chain Size X-348 Trolley Spacing Up to 18" 24" 30" X-458 Up to 24" 32" 12" X-678 24" 36" 36" 24" 18" Roller Turn Radius Traction Wheel Diameter 24" 30" 36" 30" 36" 36" 42" 48"
If an automatic take up is preferred or required it should be located as near as possible to the output side of the drive unit. A manual or screw operated take up can be located any other place in the conveyor layout, not necessarily directly after a drive unit. Use the same plan view layout of carriers to determine width of conveyor guards on horizontal turns. Allow for a minimum of 6 clearance on each side of carrier unless carriers or load are exceedingly long and would sway excessively.
Conveyor Speed - 9
The speed of the conveyor should be determined by the production requirements, trolley spacing and the number of parts per carrier. The conveyor should not be operated faster than necessary as the wear of the chain, trolleys and turns can be directly proportioned to the speed. The required conveyor speed in F.P.M. is determined by multiplying the number of required carriers per minute by the carrier spacing in feet. Sample: Number of Carriers per minute: Carrier Spacing: Conveyor Speed: 1.5 48 or 4-0 1.5 x 4 = 6 F.P.M.
If variations in production are required, it is advisable to set the maximum conveyor speed to at least two times the calculated conveyor speed. On a single drive system; the most economical way to adjust chain speeds is to use a 3:1 mechanical variable speed pulley and an adjustable motor base.
Planning Your Overhead Conveyor System Contd.
Determining the Overall Conveyor Length Step 10