TGW, a leading material handling integrator, has enhanced its superior conveyor system portfolio with the launch of a new, high-performance accumulation roller conveyor. The key features and benefits of the new system are:
• Handling and accumulation of cartons and totes of varying sizes, weights and quality for flexible application
• Modular design for optimum footprint utilisation and easy maintenance
• Basic and progressive zone release for higher rate of product discharge
• Minimal air flow requirement for reduced operating costs
• Electronic sensing with no minimum product weight and elimination of noise
• Preset control logic for elimination of field programming
• Factory installed control logic for reduced field installation and wiring cost
• Optimisation of throughput to 5,000 cartons per hour
Handling cartons and totes of varying sizes, weights and quality within a warehouse poses a major technical challenge for Logistics Managers. The need to accumulate these cartons is also a challenge as many of today's conveyor systems have functional limitations which prevent businesses from meeting their operational objectives.
In order to meet these demands TGW has developed a new modular accumulation roller conveyor. The system has been designed to transport a vast array of cartons and totes, with sizes that range from 150 x 150 mm to 800 x 600 mm, and weigh from 0.2 kg (4.4 lbs) up to 50 kg (110 lbs). This technology delivers the customer benefit of optimising and streamlining the material flow within the operation and the flexibility to handle a diverse range of articles on the same conveyor system.. In addition the system even allows handling of poor-quality cartons whilst ensuring optimum throughput of the application.
The conveyor system is controlled by a software model, designed by TGW to incorporate several high-value features as standard. These include the option to utilise either basic or progressive (train) accumulation and release functions, providing operational flexibility.
Using basic accumulation ensures that products are separated by a gap as they are transported down the conveyor. Progressive accumulation, on the other hand, enables close-packed and individual products to maintain their spacing as they travel down the conveyor, achieving higher carton density. Upon accruing at the furthest downstream open zone, all zones then release at the same time, resulting in no gaps or minimal gaps.
By ensuring that the articles are accumulated with no gaps between each other, TGW innovative transport system is able to convey, accumulate and release at a sustainable high throughput. The system requires a minimum air flow pressure to operate; this results in a solution that is both cost-effective and highly efficient.
Up to 50 modules can be powered with only one power supply, offering an additional, significant cost saving. Furthermore, the conveyor solution does not require as many control modules as conventional accumulation technology, as the accumulation function is activated by pneumatic devices.
The inclusion of electronic sensors in the design eliminates product weight restrictions and the noise associated with mechanical sensors, resulting in extremely low-noise operations. With its preset control logic functionality installed at the TGW factory, the requirement for field programming is also removed, which means a substantial reduction in the time and cost associated with field installation, wiring and maintenance.
The conveyor system transports products at an impressive rate of up to 5,000 cartons per hour, offering reliable high operational productivity within a transport and accumulation conveyor application and ensuring that the material flow is not the bottleneck of the business objective.
The new, cost-effective accumulation technology by TGW is suitable for a wide range of markets and applications. Any business that requires reliable, flexible and high-performance logistics operations within their warehouse will benefit.
Since 1969 TGW Group have been implementing internal logistics solutions from small conveyor plants through to complex, high performance distribution centres. Solutions include design, system integration and support, software, controls, tote & carton conveyors, pallet conveyors, AS/RS and lifetime service. We use the highest execution standards to achieve seamless integration of our leading-edge solutions from our Market Harborough office, and we service them 24/7.
T: +44 (0)1858 468 855
e-mail: jackie.rutter@tgw-group.com