Enclosed track conveyor is comprised of a continuous chain running inside a tubular track. A drive unit grabs and moves the chain, which a take-up unit keeps tensioned to prevent bunching. Variable speed controls start and stop the entire line, which moves synchronously; loads travel in unison and are always the same distance apart.
Loads are attached to the chain via pendants that protrude from a narrow slot at the bottom of the track. Each pendant can support up to 50 pounds, and a load bar hung from two pendants has a capacity of 100 pounds.
The entire conveyor system may be suspended from ceiling attachments, the arms of structural steel floor supports, or a combination of both.
Instead of using labor to move around empty containers, automate transport to deliver them where they're needed. This frees up workers to focus on processes that add value to your operation. By moving carton handling overhead, you also reduce traffic congestion at floor level and reclaim precious square footage. Overhead conveyor is also great for hauling used boxes and other trash; use special load carriers to dump refuse into a designated disposal area.
Overhead conveyors are an economical way to move products through an assembly line. They can handle items that don't sit well on a conveyor bed and present them at an ergonomic height. They also provide better access to each side of the product, as well as variable speed that can be adjusted for the rate of production. Optional "indexing" controls move the conveyor line a pre-set distance before stopping to allow loading, assembly work, or unloading.
Sometimes workstations have different rates of production, and there has to be a way to store work-in-progress until the next station is ready for it. Overhead conveyor can move products off the floor, completely out of the way, then deliver them when and where they're needed. Add a special interface to convert the conveyor into an AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval system), which helps track individual loads for later access.
Overhead conveyor is ideal for a number of finishing processes where handling by workers can be dangerous or damage the product. Enclosed track withstands the corrosive environment of chemical wash areas and the heat of curing ovens. Its ability to handle steep declines and inclines helps minimize the required size of dip tanks. Pacline can supply custom carriers that rotate the product for maximum coverage in paint lines.
Many other applications are possible, such as garment handling or creative displays for retail and entertainment.
Contact us for more information on Pacline enclosed track overhead and other conveyor solutions.