When it comes to designing a conveyor system for a specific application there is always some sort of obstacle which needs to be worked around. The two biggest challenges are restricted space and flexibility, according to Rusmail Conveyor Systems.
Ray Hart MD at Rusmail explains: “When you have to fit a powered belt conveyor1 into a tight space, you need to achieve the optimum angle for functionality. The steeper the angle needs to be, the more thought needs to be given to the selection of belt material and surface finish and conveyor configuration to achieve an efficient operating system.
“When a specialist designer and manufacturer of high quality joinery approached us for a solution to move wood offcuts from a newly installed woodworking machine to an existing chipping machine within a tight space, we came up with the combination of a specially designed chute and inclined powered belt conveyor.
“Another specialist equipment manufacturer requested a conveyor to move an extraction hood in and out of a spray booth which could be adapted to suit the load.
Rusmail designed a conveyor system incorporating a special purpose chain conveyor2using hollow bush chains to allow customer attachments to be fixed to the extraction hood. Adjustable limit switches were also fitted to control the length of travel of the extraction hood.
“Extending an existing system was another challenge set for Rusmail. An automotive customer needed an extension to a conveyor system including inter-floor powered belt conveyors to provide extra routing within the despatch area with enough space for personnel to access the system and provision for a fire exit route. The addition of four gravity ball tables and a counter balanced lift up gate3 allows the extended conveyor system to be in regular operation 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and links the stores on a mezzanine floor and the ground level goods despatch area.”
