Moving photovoltaic solar panels through an assembly line today is a delicate process that involves intricate movements, transfers, and rotations. Traditional systems may suffice when the product doesn’t rely on multiple assembly stages, or when it doesn’t require exact control during every step of the process. However, for relatively delicate wide products like solar panels, many manufacturing facilities are looking for a more economical conveyance solution that provides precise control and maximum configurability to help automate the processes for increased throughput – without compromising product quality.
Industry 4.0 is driving new growth in the material handling industry, and analysts expect the sector to grow to $9 billion in revenues by 2025. Economical conveyor systems will become the workhorses of all future manufacturing facilities. When the products involved in the process require special considerations, like a gentle photovoltaic system conveyor, you need superior configurability, versatility, and customization capabilities.
Here are some of the key benefits available from today’s multi-strand economical material conveyor systems.
Multi-strand direct product handling conveyor systems are ideal for solar panels, as you can easily:
Application engineers understand that once you need to go wider, you start upsetting the budget. Roller-based systems become cost-prohibitive when you create the widths required for solar panels.
Multi-strand conveyor systems are driven by common shafts, and you can include lifts, transfers, and storage racks as required. On standard belt conveyors, the product could suffer from scrap rates and product scuffs or marring, which multi-strand conveyors can reduce with less friction using a low coefficient on the belts, or even zoning. You can use the same design principles to scale your system for solar panel conveyance and improve your productivity. Today’s conveyor systems manufacturers can take any concept and deliver a workable, efficient, and precise transportation system for any wide products.
By using a base configuration of timing belt-based multi-strand economical material conveyor systems, your product manipulation capabilities improve drastically. When cost, configurability, and direct material handling systems for wide or atypical products are required, multi-strand conveyors deliver precise control and product manipulation during the assembly and manufacturing process.
You also get a reliable conveyor system that provides exact orientation, presentation, and access to the frames, solar panels, or plate-glass products across the line. For photovoltaic panel manufacturing, the vibration and pressure could have an impact on the product’s quality. Multi-strand conveyor systems provide better cushion capabilities and with Glide-Line’s Zero Contact Zoned Conveyors for material handling, you get a gentler, more cost-effective solution compared to a traditional belt or chain systems. With the Zero Contact Zoned system, there is no product-to-product contact on the conveyor system.
We can assist with any kind of customized situation and help you transport a solar panel more efficiently, including:
Glide-Line provides flexible conveyor solutions for pallet and direct product handling operations, including wide, atypical, and fragile products like solar panels. Our engineers can design, configure, and customize solutions that automate your assembly or manufacturing process. With IMPACT!, our 3D CAD configurator, you can build your conveyor and generate instant pricing, including a parts list. Streamline how you convey solar panels and cells in your assembly operations using Glide-Line’s range of conveying solutions. Glide-Line will help keep your team happy and put a smile on the production manager’s face.
To discuss your needs with our conveyor systems manufacturers and application engineers, get in touch with Glide-Line today.