Indexing pallets or products along an assembly line has traditionally been accomplished by a series of pneumatic stops that pop up and create physical barriers along the line. This method may work for many of your clients, but not all. The traditional “pop-up” barrier conveyors can cause product damage thanks to hard stops without smooth deceleration or additional control techniques. They can also be dangerous for operators and generally clunky.
Some have tried to get around these challenges by creating a zoned conveyor. However, there are two main money-wasting expenses when it comes to typical zoned indexing conveyors. For your clients looking for a smoother, safer (for your people), and more elegant solution, the Glide-Line Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor solves both money-wasting cost challenges.
The expense of extra dollars
The easiest to measure, it’s clear why most zoned indexing solutions cost more money. The typical zoned indexing conveyor operates by breaking up long runs of single conveyors into many drives (one per zone). The drive is usually the most expensive component of a conveyor. Multiply that cost by extra drives for each conveyor run, particularly when you include extra motor starters (or VFDs), extra sensors, extra wiring, and extra I/O in the panel. In the end, you’re looking at a steep monetary investment into a typical zoned indexing conveyor.
Extra control devices also cost more money. If you develop a multi-zone indexing solution based upon multiple stops with a single drive, these stops all need to be controlled. That means paying for extra control devices for each drive. The additional components add to not only the bottom line, but also add to energy needs and other operation and maintenance costs.
Glide-Line has developed an elegant solution to prevent these wasted dollars: the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor. It’s a pre-engineered solution that comes with an inherent driver card and built-in logic, making it operational right out of the box. Being pre-engineered, made in volume, and maximized, this is a huge cost-saver, especially when it comes to controls. Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor - 1, traditional indexing conveyor - 0.
The expense of effort
Another expense inherent with traditional zoned indexing conveyors is the expense of designing a system with so many additional electronics. Adding those components costs time and money thanks to incorporating components you don’t generally see in a conveyor system.
The great thing about the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor is that the majority of the legwork is already done for your clients - they just need to apply the solution to their specific operations and it’s ready to go without any additional effort. Additionally, the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor system utilizes independent drives with integrated control solutions, making it easy to design an indexing system that doesn’t require tons of extra equipment or time to set up. That brings our score to Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor - 2, traditional indexing conveyor - 0.
Benefits of the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor
- Easy installation — Our Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor Logic controls only require a power source for the motors
- Zero programming for basic indexing/accumulation operations — Only need to connect zone to zone with an RJ25 cable for automatic zoned indexing and queuing with no contact
- Robust — Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor motors literally consist of a single moving part with a 300,000 hour bearing life
- Cost-effective — reduced requirements for your control system, lower cost electronics and simpler motors
- Manual control option — Use the Local I/O to override automatic logic
Download the ebook, Indexing and Positioning: How to Reduce Damage, Have Smooth Motion, & Secure Your Product on the Conveyor Line today for a look at how the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor can solve additional challenges for your clients!
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