the synchronous three-belt conveyor of GEPPERT-Band
Based on practical needs
GEPPERT-Band have developed a synchronous three-belt conveyor as an alternative to an existing system for the onward transport of sensitive components for the automotive supply industry.
The Rhineland belt conveyor manufacturer is famous for producing special solutions from its standard belt conveyor range. The advantages of this principle were also obvious for the present problem: compared to special-purpose machinery construction, the conveyor components are available faster and at lower cost.
For the customer – a mould-making and plastics technology company from Baden-Württemberg – the following problem had to be solved:
After leaving an injection moulding machine with an output temperature of 40° C, the finished component – a 2 mm-thin anti-vibration layer for dashboards that weighs approx. 500 g – has to be transported in the correct position. Over a distance of 350 cm to the next step in production, the 130 cm-wide plastic injection moulded part cools down. However, in the past there was a problem during the onward transport. Since a normal flat belt conveyor was used, the component sagged in the middle; it literally collapsed in on itself.
For the new customer, GEPPER-Band found a simple and at the same time very efficient solution: the component is positioned in its full width across three belt conveyors. Additionally, the stiffest part is directly placed on the undulating edge of the central belt conveyor, which is also positioned a little bit higher. The advantages: on the one hand, there are no stress marks whatsoever on the sensitive plastic part, and on the other hand the weight is distributed evenly, preventing deformations after the injection moulding machine has cooled down.
The individual belt conveyors are connected via an articulated shaft to ensure that all three belts have exactly the same speed. The synchronous three-belt conveyor has been running without any problems since the start of three-shift operation.
The customer has decided not to store any replacement parts since the manufacturer guarantees a short delivery time, so that there is no risk of a prolonged loss of production.
