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MAKING its first appearance nine years ago at the Mining Exhibition at Essen, the Cobra conveyor chain lubricator has been used in many European countries for tray transporters…
Abstract
MAKING its first appearance nine years ago at the Mining Exhibition at Essen, the Cobra conveyor chain lubricator has been used in many European countries for tray transporters, crucible transporters in steelworks, foundries, coke works, and on conveyors and assembly lines for numerous industries. There are two types manufactured, the Cobra 1, which is activated directly by the motion of the transporter, and the Cobra 2, operated by compressed air and controlled by the transporter by means of an actuating arm. The Cobra 1 is used when there is difficulty in employing compressed air or when it is easy to make use of the motion of the conveyor. When compressed air is readily available, however, Cobra 2 is used. It is manufactured by Helios‐Apparate Wetzel & Schlosshauer G.m.b.H., Heidelberg, Germany, and marketed in the U.K. by W. S. Forrest & Co., Almora Hall, Middleton‐St.‐George, Co. Durham.
Massimo Fabbri, Pier Luigi Ribani and Davide Zuffa
A conveyor device is studied with the aim to reduce the friction between the inner surface of the beam and the chain. The lower is the friction between the chain and the beam, the…
Abstract
Purpose
A conveyor device is studied with the aim to reduce the friction between the inner surface of the beam and the chain. The lower is the friction between the chain and the beam, the lower is the surface wear. The magnetic repulsion force among permanent magnets (PMs) placed on the beam and on the chain is utilized to reduce friction. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The considered magnetic suspension is realized with PMs in repulsive configuration; it is designed by solving a constrained optimization problem, with reference to the geometry of the 90° horizontal bend FlexLink WL322 conveyor. Flux density field and its gradient are evaluated using volume integral equation method, allowing to calculate the forces acting on the chain and the stiffness of the magnetic suspension.
Findings
The magnetic suspension prototype was manufactured and tested. The experimental and calculated values of the forces acting on the chain compares well. A stable horizontal equilibrium of the chain was obtained during both static and dynamical tests.
Research limitations/implications
The quasi-static model used neglects the dynamical interactions among the elements of the chain, the PMs and loads weight during motions and the eddy current losses in the aluminium beam. However the dynamical tests on the prototype show that the chain motion is regular up to the nominal velocity all along the conveyor with the exception of the trailing edge of the 90° curve.
Practical implications
The tests on the prototype show the possibility of a removal or at least a reduction of the friction force between the chain and the inner side of the beam by means of a passive magnetic suspension. As a consequence a reduction of noise and vibrations and an increase of the mean-time-to-failure is expected.
Originality/value
Prototype testing shows that the unavoidable vertical instability of the magnetic forces has no practical consequence since, reducing the allowed vertical gap, the chain is stabilized by the gravitational force.
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Keywords
Purpose – Describes how one company addressed the need for a pallet conveyor innovation which would achieve a number of goals such as reduced maintenance, operating noise…
Abstract
Purpose – Describes how one company addressed the need for a pallet conveyor innovation which would achieve a number of goals such as reduced maintenance, operating noise, physical cross section and improve the ability to integrate into an assembly or manufacturing application. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the approach and technology applied to develop a smart conveyor that meets the project objectives. Findings – Applying new lower cost electronic controls, individual zone drive motors and sensors to a traditional product can dramatically improve the feature benefit package. Research limitations/implications – This paper provides guidance in the design of smart manufacturing and material handling related equipments. Practical implications – Innovative conveyors can still move the product while providing many cost of ownership benefits. Originality/value – Highlights how applying new thinking or thinking outside the box to a traditional product can achieve many user benefits.
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Carmen Torres-Sanchez and Nikolaos Balodimos
The purpose of this paper is to propose a nanodiamond-particle-loaded food-grade lubricating oil, a nanolubricant, that can be used over a broad range of loads in factories (low…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a nanodiamond-particle-loaded food-grade lubricating oil, a nanolubricant, that can be used over a broad range of loads in factories (low load applications like conveyor systems and high load applications like heavy machinery).
Design/methodology/approach
Tribological performance of the nanolubricant was studied at both load levels. A typical factory-sized conveyor belt used for beverage packaging (aluminium cans, glass and PET bottles) was employed for the low load range. Coefficients of friction and wear scars were measured and the lubricating performance was quantified. A four-ball tester was used to characterise the performance of the nanolubricant as per ASTM D2783/D4172. A comparison between the nanolubricant and baseline oils was carried out.
Findings
Results show an overall decrease in the coefficients of friction and wear scars for all packages at low pressures when the nanolubricant is used. They also show a better friction-reduction performance in the high load regimes. The results indicate that the nanolubricant is versatile in both ranges of loading.
Practical implications
The current protocols for lubrication in the food and drink factories involve the use of water-based detergents for the conveyor lines and industry-grade oils for the machinery. The use of a single and versatile lubricant for both ranges of loads may have a positive impact on the sustainability and environmental performance of the sector.
Originality/value
Beverage processing and packing factories need their mechanised conveyor systems suitably lubricated to avoid excessive friction between the containers and the load-bearing surface of the conveyors (e.g. belts or chains). Other areas of the conveying systems, such as motors, gears, rollers and bearings, also need suitable lubrication to prevent failure and lengthen their operating life. There is a myriad of lubricants and lubricating solutions for each of these areas independently, but there is no commercial lubricating fluid that could be used on both successfully.
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THIS country is suffering from a serious shortage of skilled workers. This fact was brought into sharp focus when John Brown, the famous shipbuilders, announced two weeks ago that…
Abstract
THIS country is suffering from a serious shortage of skilled workers. This fact was brought into sharp focus when John Brown, the famous shipbuilders, announced two weeks ago that it had been necessary for them to decline a £5 million order because of a lack of labour in the steel and allied trades. The firm and the size of the potential order ensured national attention, but it cannot be accepted as an isolated instance. When the Ministry of Labour tells us that although 3,124 mostly skilled men entered shipbuilding and marine engineering during the last five weeks for which figures are available, but that there remained 2,860 unfilled jobs, or that 3,264 taken into metal manufacturing left 4,637 vacancies, there is need for concern and investigation.
Mechanical Lubrication of Chains reduces maintenance costs
Reid, Morris of Borth‐y‐Gest, Hodson, Simon of Glaisdale and Cross of Chelsea
December 13, 1972 Docks — Port Talbot — “Dock estate” — Meaning — New harbour and jetty built adjacent to old harbour — Whether part of port of Port Talbot — “Dock work” …
Abstract
December 13, 1972 Docks — Port Talbot — “Dock estate” — Meaning — New harbour and jetty built adjacent to old harbour — Whether part of port of Port Talbot — “Dock work” — Discharging ore involving work with unloaders and belt conveyor system — Work not previously performed by registered dock workers — “Cargo” — “Discharging from ship” — Meanings — Dock Labour Scheme for the South Wales Ports (1942) App. (4) — Port of Port Talbot Registration Amended Scheme (1943) Sch. para. 1(1)(a) — Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. VI, c.22), s. 6 — Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Amendment) Order, 1967 (S. 1. 1967, No. 1252), Sch. 2, App. 1M(4).
Stephen Derby, Gene Eckert, David Brown and John McFadden
Current single head pick and place robots have reached their practical limit for throughput rates due to impractical speeds and acceleration, which often damage or lose the…
Abstract
Purpose
Current single head pick and place robots have reached their practical limit for throughput rates due to impractical speeds and acceleration, which often damage or lose the product being transferred. The purpose of this paper is to present a new system which uses 2 XY motion slides and an indexing flexible conveyor to achieve a more desired motion while achieving a high throughput rate.
Design/methodology/approach
An innovative robotic pick and place motion design (the FlowBot) was previously created to address the changing needs of the packaging and automation industry. A full patent has been filed covering this technology. This paper documents a refinement to the FlowBot concept that produces a more compact implementation, entitled the Compact FlowBot.
Findings
Tit was found that the motion of smaller steps with limited accelerations does produce higher throughputs without the excessive accelerations that Delta robots produce. The robotics system does require limited Z height so the potential for multiple stacked systems is presented.
Originality/value
This novel robot has been found to be a next generation design, which has been confirmed by an international patent search. Many established consumer packaging goods companies and food processing companies have lauded its merits. The system needs to move into prototype and full development mode.
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‘FOG in Channel: Continent isolated!’ Those were once the headlines in a national newspaper which thus succinctly, although with unintentional irony, expressed the British sense…
Abstract
‘FOG in Channel: Continent isolated!’ Those were once the headlines in a national newspaper which thus succinctly, although with unintentional irony, expressed the British sense of complacency. Making allowance for an element of exaggeration, the incident contained enough truth to make its point. The new alignments of industry and commerce which are now taking place mean that this country cannot afford to retain even a vestige of such an attitude.
Abstract
June 8, 1970 Docks — Port Talbot — “Dock estate” — Meaning — New harbour and jetty built adjacent to old harbour — Whether part of port of Port Talbot — “Dock work” — “Discharging from ship” — Discharging ore in continuous operation involving work with unloaders, belt conveyor system and primary boomstacker in stockyard — Stacking in stockyard — Whether dock work ordinarily performed by dock workers at Port Talbot — Dock Labour Scheme for South Wales Ports (1942) App. (4) — Port of Port Talbot Registration Amended Scheme (1943) Sch. para. I (1) (a) — Dock Workers (Registration of Employment) Act, 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. VI, c. 22), s. 2(5)(6) — Dock Workers (Registration of Employment) (Amendment) Order, 1967 (S.I. 1967,No. 1252), Sch. 2, App. I M. (4).