Accumulation is a necessary part of many processes, but if it damages the product or jeopardizes previous assembly or other operations, it’s a detriment to the overall production and quality - not to mention the economic impact of scrap, rework and stopped production. A better alternative we discuss in this whitepaper is a Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor. In this whitepaper, you will learn about: Common drawbacks of product accumulation The traditional solution for product accumulation An alternative solution: Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor How the Zero Contact Zoned Conveyor works

So you have a manufacturing process that produces large assemblies. You need a conveyor system that will increase your throughput and enable you to optimize the orientation, access, and presentation of your products. And to automate your material handling, you need to have innovative devices and solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing setup.

Manufacturers need to solve complex operational and assembly challenges that require top or bottom exposure of products while conveying, turning, lifting, and placing items at multiple workstations. In some cases, using a traditional conveyor system may leave you feeling as if you’re Phil Dunphy holding up a hula-hoop with a model airplane coming right at you.

To keep up with a fast-changing world, we need technologies that can adapt almost as quickly as we do. For manufacturers of appliances, the ability to rotate flat panels while conveying may only be one part of the process – but it makes life a lot easier when you’re assembling complex products.

Fabricators and manufacturers of sheet metal assemblies who want to increase production efficiency and throughput can benefit from an integrated “direct product handling” conveyor system (we use the term “direct” to indicate that it is not on a pallet). For each process stage, special considerations may apply that require optimum orientation, presentation, and access while indexing products on the conveying line.

In situations that require handling products directly on the production line, conveying and lifting items without a pallet may require special consideration. Engineers who build and manufacture awkwardly shaped products often have challenges when automating certain processes. In these situations, it becomes costly to customize equipment to suit special use cases.

The life of an application engineer is never boring. Along with all the daily challenges that come with keeping the production line running, engineers searching for suitable solutions that can automate assembly operations when manufacturing complex products is just as entertaining as watching Tommy Boy – if you’re into that kind of thing.

When designing a solution for the safe and efficient transfer of large glass products, engineers need to overcome a host of different challenges. For each item coming down the line, product safety and expert control remain the biggest concerns. When handling glass products of various sizes, innovative solutions are required for their gentle transfer, orientation, presentation, access, and exposure on the production line.

To increase the throughput of your manufacturing process for large assemblies, you’ll need a conveyor system design that enables you to optimize the orientation, access, and presentation of your products. To automate your material handling, you must have innovative devices that integrate seamlessly with your conveying solution. In many situations conventional roller conveyors are suitable. However, they're not ideal for wide or awkwardly sized products, especially when you are looking for a gentle handling conveyor solution. Check out this eBook to discover the latest solutions and technologies available to engineers who need to optimize direct product assembly operations.

Choosing a conveyor system manufacturer is no simple task, particularly when you’re facing a deadline. When you have questions about which equipment might be best for your project, lead time, execution, cost, and support, you may need a resource, not a salesperson. We’ve provided a checklist of our recommended questions. We think these questions will give you the best answers with which to evaluate a best-fit conveyor manufacturer. Grab your free checklist and make sure you are asking the RIGHT questions when you are evaluating conveyor system manufacturers!