Conveyor systems have long been a key part of any manufacturing process. By combining automation, testing & vision systems with conveyors we are able to increase the efficiency and quality of your process.
The application of automated conveyors is widely used in industrial automation both small and large scale, and is suited to every industry. Applied Automation has completed a large number of these projects for the manufacturing, automotive and pharmaceutical industries.
This conveyor is part of a pharmaceutical cleaning & filling machine for a client to transfer tubes between stations. These conveyors are just one part of the complete machine that was custom designed & manufactured by Applied Automation.
The magazine is loaded with tubes which are gravity fed onto the indexing conveyor. The indexing conveyor plays an important roll to ensure each tubes lines up at the corresponding station (cleaning, orientation & filling).
The o-ring conveyor is used for the outfeed, and a transfer station is used to move the product from the indexing conveyor onto the o-ring outfeed conveyor.
Conveyor systems such as this require custom design to suit the product which always varies in size and orientation. The design of the conveyor transfer station plays a critical role to ensure that transfer operates seamlessly for efficient operation of the machine.
This conveyor project was completed for a pharmaceutical client to transfer syringes between stations. Custom designed by Applied Automation, with concept and final design produced in SolidWorks.
The final conveyor size for this project was 4m x 1.5m x 1m, however the modular design allows this conveyor to be produced to suit any length. The design also allows for changes in incline and a 90 deg change in direction.
Accommodating a variety of syringe sizes, the the single drive Twin O-Ring system transfers syringes un-marked at 100mm per second. Twin clutches are used in the final stage of the conveyor for control and accumulation.
One common requirement of conveyors in automated systems is the need to transfer products between various stations and conveyors, and between multiple conveyors.
To make this transition smooth and ensure no damage to the product we can combine 5-Axis CNC machining and 3D printing to produce complex shapes that would otherwise be difficult or expensive to make. Such parts can be incorporated in new systems or added to existing systems to improve efficiency and quality.
The large 500mm component attached to the conveyor shown was 3D printed in HP PA 12 Polymide black, and combined with a machined aluminium mounting component allowing for a smooth transition.
This conveyor project was completed for Mondelez, one of Australia's leading confectionery food manufacturers (with brands such as Cadbury, Pascall and BelVita). The high speed conveyor is capable of processing 80 cartons per minute and supports product cartons of varying sizes.
The design implemented by our engineers includes eight conveyors using automated scanning and sorting to direct cartons to the correct lane and onto the robot palletiser conveyors.
Technology utilised in the project includes Sick sensors, Rockwell 1kW MP Servo Motors, Apex planetary gearboxes, Forbo Belts, Rockwell Control System and Intralox Dynamically Activated Roller Belt (DARB).
One of the many projects completed for Pfizer; this automated indexing conveyor is part of a process to count, check, sort and place pharmaceutical vials into trays.
Our unique design for the system includes precision servo control with an indexing star wheel tray loader that allows it to accommodate various vials sizes being fed through the infeed conveyor.
The end result is optimal singulation and efficient packing into the tray shipper.
In order to meet the high throughput demands required by automotive industries, high speed precision conveyor systems are often used with vision systems for quality control and electrical testing.
This conveyor system completed for Robert Bosch is part of an assembly line for measuring and testing of diodes used in automotive components.
Utilising standard motor gearbox combinations with encoder feedback, this assembly is constructed using precision CNC machined components for accurate movement & testing of delicate products. Festo pneumatics are used in the design the singulation mechanism.
This full turnkey indexing conveyor was designed and manufactured right here in Melbourne at Applied Automation.
With a dedicated flight pitch the conveyor is able to move bagged ice at 1 index per second for high speed sorting and packing, and to date has moved with over 1.5million trouble free indexing movements.
The equipment includes a Siegling Prolink plastic modular belt with fixed flights, constructed with 316 stainless steel for all mechanical parts and driven with SEW Helical-bevel gear servo motor.
