Belt conveyors for
special requirements
Special tasks require individual solutions. For this reason, we also produce special belt conveyors for use in image processing systems and metal-free environments, and for conveying applications using vacuum and magnetic technology.
Cleanroom conveyors
Conveyors for high demands in terms of technical cleanliness
Cleanroom conveyors are belt and timing belt conveyors that are designed for low particle emissions and optimised cleaning. They are particularly suitable for use in production environments with high requirements in terms of technical cleanliness, such as in micromechanics, the manufacture of electronic and optical devices, and the production of batteries and fuel cells. mk has the knowledge and experience to design these specially adapted conveyors and can also manufacture them in a cleanroom-compatible manner and deliver them in sealed packaging for rapid deployment in the cleanroom.
Vacuum conveyors
Belt conveyor with vacuum body for simple product handling using negative pressure
With a vacuum conveyor, lightweight products with a large surface area are suctioned onto the belt conveyor by means of negative pressure. This means that these products can, for example, be accelerated quickly or transported vertically, overhead or suspended to the side. Handling tasks can also be carried out using vacuum without stopping.
Telescopic belt conveyor
Belt conveyor with telescopic frame
Telescopic conveyors are used, among other things, to flexibly bridge gaps in conveying paths, e.g. in a passageway for maintenance purposes. In this case, a telescopic function is always used when the available space does not allow for a folding or pivoting solution or the belt conveyor itself cannot be moved.
A telescopic belt conveyor can also be used when the length of the conveying path has to be flexibly adapted to changing system dimensions. The telescopic function can also be used to compensate for the transfer or pick-up position of products of different sizes.
Lower belt drives are usually used for a telescopic infeed or outfeed. Recirculating ball bearing guides are used for precise adjustment of the telescopic conveyor frame. For simple requirements, you can also use the mk telescopic profiles with gliding assembly.
In the case of infrequent adjustments, manual extension and insertion using a clamping lever or index bolt for fixing is the most economical method. In the case of frequent adjustments, e.g. in shift operation of automated processes, suitable pneumatic or electric actuators are used. Pneumatic cylinders are available for two end positions. For stepless adjustment, an electric motor adjustment using a spindle or gear rack is recommended.
Translucent conveyors
Belt conveyor with back light unit for optical inspection system
Translucent conveyors are used in automated production to optically inspect workpieces. They allow for contactless, geometric measuring and position detection of conveyed products.
The conveyor has a back light unit and translucent (transparent) conveyor belt. The products are illuminated through the belt from below, creating silhouettes. With cameras and appropriate image processing software, the workpieces can thus be examined for material defects, incorrect positioning, completeness and contour deviations. They are used, for example, for pick-and-place tasks or OK/nOK analyses.
All mk belt conveyors can be equipped or retrofitted with a back light unit and corresponding belt. The back light unit includes powerful LED lighting and, if necessary, flash control for extremely short exposure times. Lighting and flash control provided by the customer can also be integrated. Compact belt conveyors with drum motors are particularly suitable for applications with limited installation space since they do not have any obstructing edges.
Magnet belt conveyors
Belt conveyor for conveying magnetisable parts while suspended
Magnet conveyors allow for position-oriented conveying of ferromagnetic piece goods over steep paths (up/down), vertically or while suspended. An overhead conveyor is ideal for dealing with large height differences or for picking up and setting down products, e.g. during container loading. Magnet conveyors are also ideal for implementing a turning station.
The permanent magnets are integrated in the conveyor frame of the belt conveyor. Their design can be adapted according to the specific requirements. Magnetisable material is thus securely fixed to the conveyor belt thanks to magnets contained in the track. The conveyor geometry can be optimally adapted to difficult track layouts and installation situations. Even in curved belt conveyor segments, position-oriented, suspended conveying can be ensured. In addition to belt conveyors, flat top chain conveyors are also used, in which the magnets are embedded in the plastic chain links.
Reference > Magnet-S-Conveyor
Reference > Separation of magnetic sheet scraps
Metal-free conveyors
Belt conveyors for use in metal-free zones
“Metal-free” conveyors are used where metal in the conveyor might interfere with the defined magnetic fields of an application, for example in metal detectors for the food industry, CTs (computed tomography) or during the final magnetisation of materials.
Since a conveyor cannot be made completely metal-free, the critical areas are replaced by non-metal alternatives. For example, the slide bed can be replaced by a carbon slide bed and the supporting frame can be bridged by a CFRP profile. The supporting frame can also be removed in special cases. In addition to belt conveyors, modular belt conveyors are also particularly suitable for this purpose.
A special type of metal-free conveyor is the X-ray conveyor. It is used to X-ray products, especially for series inspections or automated processes, such as checking battery cells for internal defects. In this case, the X-ray plate is located inside the conveyor frame below the belt. The products are X-rayed lying on the belt and checked for internal defects. In addition to a metal-free slide bed, it is important to note that no antistatic belts may be used since they have cords that interfere with the image during the X-ray process.
Reference > Machine for coronavirus rapid tests with ESD requirement
Scanning conveyors
Belt conveyors with integrated systems for reading and writing data
A scanning conveyor is used when a large number of products have to be quickly identified during conveying. This allows, for example, automatic sorting to take place afterwards, or the end of a batch to be detected during production.
The conveyor has a flat RFID or magnetic strip scanning unit inside the conveyor frame. The goods to be conveyed require an RFID memory chip or magnetic strip in order to be identified in the scanning unit. Depending on the application, multiple items can be scanned in stacks, e.g. in the automated book return station of a library. Additional barcode readers can also be installed.