Robotics Tomorrow recently published this article.
Here at Glide-Line, we make conveyors - specifically, flexible, configurable conveyors built to very specific measurements to fit limited spaces which can be configured with a “zero product to product contact” design philosophy, all with impressively short lead times. We’ve noticed three trends in the past year that are creating demand for what we have to offer:
As a manufacturer of highly configurable, flexible conveyors suitable for conveying a huge variety of product and pallet sizes, we’ve seen demand increase in line with this trend. Our conveyors are all configurable to one-millimeter increments, with no set standard sizes our customers need to adhere to.
Preventing product damage during the manufacturing process is one way integrators are being asked to impact ROI. We’re able to best assist in meeting this demand with our conveyor that implements individually-controlled conveyor sections to eliminate product-to-product contact, control product distance, and efficiently operate each zone only as required. This is achieved using our DC motor/controller set-up or using VFDs with our AC motors. Each individual zone has its own motor, so the ability to transport heavy loads is uncompromised.
Integrators have always been impressed with our fast lead times, but in the past year, we’ve seen an uptick in requirements for meeting quick turnaround times that can enable integrator clients to deliver solutions quickly, allowing for the client to pivot and meet demands much faster than in the past. Our lead times are always 6 to 8 weeks, significantly faster than those of our competitors.
These trending demands recently came into play for a project we worked on for a large automation systems integrator working in the aerospace industry. Their client needed a conveying solution integrated into their current facility. The over-sized product, an aircraft wing support beam, needed to be handled incredibly carefully to avoid product damage.
“We chose Glide-Line because of their customizable conveyor products and world-class customer service. Their engineering team solved the issues we faced without batting an eye, and our customer was thrilled with the result.” - Project Engineer
Our integrator client was challenged with:
The flexibility of our conveyors was the key to solving these challenges. Our solution combined three variations on our equipment to create the conveyor system their client was looking for.
It became clear that traditional Lift and Transfer Units (LTUs) would need major modifications to work with this size and weight product. Since we were already using Vertical Transport Units (VTUs) as an elevator, we adapted our VTU to act as a 90-degree Lift and Transfer at the same time. By rotating the deck conveyor of the VTU 90 degrees, this VTU can also function as a transfer by lifting the product up, off the main line, and conveying it onto a perpendicular spur line for station work.
Additionally, we were asked if we could supply a particular brand of bearing that our customer wanted to use, as opposed to our standard bearing. We provided all the information needed for them to properly determine the appropriate bearing model. They supplied us with the bearings to use during the build. This is just one example of the collaboration we needed to help make the project a success.
A last-minute change in our customer's production schedule led to a final hurdle: we were asked to ship a portion of the system even earlier than the original contract date. Though we were already on a tight time schedule, our team worked hard to produce the partial shipment ahead of schedule to allow our customer a head start in assembly before shipping the rest of the project on time.
In just eight short weeks from initial conversation to the first product completion, we were able to collaborate with our integrator customer and their client to make the project a resounding success. We faced unique challenges in the product size, space limitations, and product handling needs, and our proven flexibility, configurable product line, and ingenuity in providing solutions for manufacturers made for an enthusiastic customer. “Glide-Line is based on innovation, excellent customer service, high quality and real speed,” said Kevin Mauger, President of Glide-Line. “This type of project is the reason we exist, and we’re happy to help them see success.”