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Linear axes in the accumulating roller chain conveyor

Precise track width adjustment on long conveyor lines with heavy weight

Broich Systemtechnik successfully uses drylin lead screw units in cycle conveyors based on its standardised accumulating roller chain conveyor system in several projects. In these systems, workpieces are fed into and removed from the safety area of a machine tool at a fixed distance and interval. The lead screw units are used to adjust the track widths of the conveyor tracks, which weigh over 300kg, precisely to the workpiece sizes.

Profile

What was needed: Manually adjustable linear units for track gauge adjustment

Requirements: Precise adjustability by hand, exact parallel alignment over 2,500mm conveyor distance with 300kg conveyor track weight, high service life

Industry: Intralogistics, Conveyor technology

Success for the customer: By using drylin SLW lead screw units, the track widths can be set precisely and the heavy weight of the conveyor tracks can be moved safely. The linear systems with plain bearings have a high service life and reduce maintenance costs thanks to their lubrication-free operation.

drylin SLW linear axes with lead screw drive

drylin linear guide with leadscrew and carriage.

Very robust, flat and bend-resistant

Problem

As an expert in conveyor technology, Broich Systemtechnik develops customised solutions for transporting workpieces in industry. The wide range of conveyor systems also includes accumulating roller chain conveyors. In these systems, workpieces are fed into and removed from the safety area of a machine tool at a fixed distance and interval.

The workpieces are placed in prisms by hand and transported into the safety area. There they are lifted from the conveyor track by pneumatic lifting systems, fixed in place and processed by an automatic grinding machine. A machine safety fence ensures the safe separation of the danger zone, and the system control is programmed and installed by Broich Systemtechnik itself.

An important component of the system is the track width adjustment - and here the designers were on the lookout for suitable components. These should enable the conveyor tracks to be flexibly adapted to different part sizes. The track width should be able to be precisely increased or reduced manually in order to optimally serve the required range of parts.

The challenge here is that the conveyor track is around 2,500mm and must be adjustable exactly parallel over its entire length. The conveyor track, which is adjusted via the lead screw units, weighs over 300kg. This is why particularly robust and precise linear units were required.

Solution

igus offers the perfect solution here with drylin SLW lead screw units. Two lead screw units are used per conveyor, which are synchronised via a toothed belt and can be easily adjusted using a hand crank. This makes it easy to precisely adjust the track width and safely move the heavy weight.

The special feature of our drylin linear units: They are equipped with tribologically optimised polymer liners that are completely lubrication-free externally. This reduces maintenance costs and eliminates maintenance downtime.

Compared to recirculating ball bearing systems, the plastic liners also score points with a larger load-bearing surface, which protects the rail profiles and leads to a longer service life.

For applications with low speeds and especially for manual adjustments, the lubrication-free linear systems with plain bearings are the perfect solution.

At Broich Systemtechnik, we rely on the drylin SLW lead screw units from igus because they enable precise adjustment and are also of high quality, robust and durable. This enables us to offer our customers safe and reliable technology that will perform in continuous operation for many years without any problems.

Dominik Schmitz

Head of Design, Broich Systemtechnik GmbH

Roller conveyor from conveyor technology with several workpieces on a system line.

The two-track accumulating roller chain conveyor moves workpieces at defined distances and intervals into the safety area of a machine tool and back.

Conveyor technology with roller chain conveyor and drylin SLW for width adjustment.

In order to be able to precisely adjust the conveyor tracks, which weigh over 300kg, to different workpiece sizes, the design engineers looked for suitable linear systems.

Width adjustment on an accumulation roller chain conveyor with drylin SLW.

The solution is two drylin lead screw units that are synchronised via a toothed belt and can be adjusted using a hand crank.

Drylin SLW for width adjustment on a roller chain conveyor in conveyor technology.

The lubrication-free linear systems with plain bearings are the perfect solution for applications with low speeds and especially for manual adjustments: robust, durable and maintenance-free.

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