Originally Published PMPN October 2003
PRODUCT UPDATE
Heavy-Duty Product-Handling EquipmentSystems, conveyors, and vehicles lift and move product.
H-400
A horizontal slider bed belt conveyor adapts easily to line needs. The Model H-400 is available in standard lengths starting at 7 ft and going up in 2-ft increments. Intermediate sections are available in 6-, 8-, and 10-ft lengths. Users can add or subtract sections to lengthen or shorten the system in minutes, using only hand tools. The conveyor is also available with a range of bed widths from 12 to 42 in. Beds up to 24 in. wide are 14 gauge, while beds 30 in. and wider are 12 gauge reinforced. Belts are standard white PVC and range from 8 to 36 in. in width. Bilt-Rite Conveyors Inc., Garfield, NJ; 973/546-1000; sales@bilt-rite.com.
Material Handling System
A material handling system consists of an automatic four-roll lifter that makes paper loading fast and easy for void fill, cushioning, blocking, bracing, or wrapping a variety of products. Four rolls of paper can be loaded and positioned overhead behind the FASTTrack dispensing machine from the same company for ready access. Combined with the FASTTrack FS2 straddle system, the four-roll lifter is positioned over the conveyor at the pack station, eliminating or reducing paper loading during a shift. The empty rolls are removed and a full roll drops into position for feeding into the machine. The four-roll lifter supplements a paper roll already on the machine, providing five rolls of approximately 550 cu ft of cushioning/void fill material. FP International, Redwood City, CA; 650/364-1145; www.fpintl.com.
Conveyor System
Designed for quick changeover flexibility, a conveyor system uses a new crescent transport chain design that minimizes vibration and makes transport of smaller tablet-filled bottles and vials smooth and error-free. The conveyor system's modular design features preengineered tight horizontal and vertical bends for manufacturing flexibility, as well as a wide choice of transport chain design and link styles to meet the needs of a variety of transport applications. A one-point quick adjustment guide rail system facilitates quick setups and allows the operator to open or close a section of conveyor guide rails to suit different-sized products. FlexLink Systems Inc., Bethlehem, PA; 610/954-7000; paul.henderson@flexlink.com.
Flexitrack
An automatic guided vehicle (AGV) system is available for material handling. The Flexitrack reads the AGV's path that is mapped on the floor with removable adhesive tape. Stops are indicated by lateral marks on the guidance strips. Users can easily move, remove, or add strips at any time to reconfigure the layout. The company offers three lines of AGVs capable of towing or carrying loads ranging from 300 to 3000 lb. The vehicles are powered by rechargeable 24-V or 48-V DC batteries and can travel at speeds of up to 2.3 ft/sec for periods of 15 hours without recharging. New Logistic Technologies SA, l'Aigle, France; +33 23 384 30 00; www.flexitrack.com.
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