Guide to Indexing Conveyors
About Precision Link Conveyors
Precision link indexing conveyors are a type of linear transfer system that is used in a wide variety of industries including food processing, packaging, medical and pharmaceuticals manufacturing, aerospace, energy products, defense, consumer goods, electronics and automotive manufacturing.
Unlike traditional conveyors used for feeding parts or general locating, precision link conveyors are designed for manufacturing to be done directly on parts, assemblies or products. For linear transfer operations that require intermittent movement of products or components with a cadence that includes quick yet precise part, product or container location interspersed with longer and accurate dwell times, precision link conveyors are often the best linear transfer option.
Precision link conveyors are used in high volume, high speed manufacturing environments with high part counts sometimes reaching into the millions. As a result they are designed to achieve excellent product quality and production efficiency over very high manufacturing cycles and life spans with low maintenance.
Precision index conveyors consist of precision-machined aluminum links which are driven by a high-performance unit consisting of an index drive, gear reducer and a brake motor. Hardened dual drive sprockets guarantee a backlash-free motion transmission between the drive unit and conveyor chain links, which translates to accuracies of up to +/- .006” linearly.
Is An Indexing Conveyor Right for Your Linear Process?
Do you have a manufacturing process that is being automated that needs to move a product from station to station? If so, you will have a multitude of choices to accomplish this movement or transfer between stations. To help you decide what solution is best and when to use a precision link indexing conveyor, you can ask the following questions:
- Are there multiple steps involved in the process, usually greater than 4?
- Is accuracy important to the manufacturing process, greater than +/-1mm (0.04’’)?
- Does the process need to have fast index times?
- Does the process require access to the product being manufactured from multiple directions?
- Does the transfer equipment need to be very compact and take up minimal floor space?
- Does the transfer equipment need to be very reliable, having a very long service life with minimal maintenance?
- Does the transfer equipment need to be sealed, with no grease, oil, or exposed contamination possible for the product?
These questions will help you as you consider precision indexing conveyors for your application. For more information to help you decide if a precision link conveyor is right for you, view our white paper or contact one of our engineers.
Precision Link Conveyor Components
Precision Link Conveyor End View
Precision Link Conveyor End View
Precision Link Conveyor for Linear Transfer Configurations
Precision Link Conveyor – Carousel Configuration
Precision Index Conveyor – Over / Under Configuration
Precision Link Custom Conveyor with unique geometry and 37.5mm pitch
Precision-Link Conveyor Drives and Customization
Precision Index Drive with Cover Plates to eliminate intrusions
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
- Explosion-proof motors, servo drives and motors for flexibility
- Custom index and dwell angles
- Overload protection devices
- Custom link sizes and linear strokes
- Custom hole patterns on links
- Stainless steel, nickel plating or other special surfaces on select areas
How to Bring Power and Communications with Electrical / Pneumatic Slip Rings
Motion Index Drives Products for Linear Transfer Automation in Multiple Industries
Medical Manufacturing
Medical manufacturing requires precision link conveyors to have high speed and accuracy as well as being clean and maintenance free.
Automotive
Our Tool Tray Transfer System can handle high loads at a low profile to accurately carry tooling to allow robots to perform work on them, providing the perfect linear transfer system for automotive demands.
Benefits of Linear Transfer Machines
Linear Transfer Systems can be customized to your applications, utilizing the highest precision guard rails, rack and pinion system and closed loop motor control system so you can manufacture the best product possible. Manufacturers turn to linear transfer systems for their low profile while minimizing floor footprint, all while maintaining excellent speed and accuracy.
Tool Tray Shuttle:
The compact, low profile Tool Tray Transfer System is used to precisely shift tooling or parts linearly at a customer specified distances with a standard accuracy – DIN 6 on gear rack +/-0.0003”/ft. It has an infinitely programmable position through the use of an AC motor with encoder or servo motor control. It eliminates the use of typical shot pins required due to the gearing position and low backlash gear reducer. Learn more Key Benefits of our Tool Tray Shuttle
Robot Transfer Unit:
Motion Index Drives manufactures the 7th Axis Slide – Robot Transfer Unit to accommodate any robot servo motor brand that our customer is utilizing for their automation project. Our robot transfer units can be used for material handling jobs or any type of welding or dispensing application. View all of the Benefits and Options Available for our Robot Transfer Unit.
Lift and Shift: Robot Transfer Unit:
