Astec automate assembly line

Astec automate assembly line 16-Feb 2015 - Press Release Having a range of pallet handing solutions Astec were asked by a leading IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) manufacturer to design an automated production assembly line with the aim to reduce manual handling. The new automated assembly line transfers the cages along an accumulation conveyor to a pick and place unit. The pallet stacks accumulate on a chain conveyor system and a pallet de stacker feeds single pallets into a guarded area to a position where the cages are automatically lifted onto pallet base with a pick and place unit. The cage and pallet then proceed to the operator fixing station where the pallet and cage are manually fixed together, when complete they transfer to the bottle insertion machine with accumulation in between. The system comprises of powered roller and chain accumulation pallet conveyors, turntables, chain transfer and a pallet de stacker. The project was designed, manufactured and installed complete with the electrical control system without major impact on production and has virtually eliminated manual handling from the assembly line, delivering a 10% increase in units per hour achieved and a payback on the total project of 1.25 years. On the back of this success Astec have been awarded another contract by the same company for another conveyor system to further automate production. Astec Conveyors can provide bespoke design, manufacture and installation of conveyor systems to meet individual handling requirements for light, medium or heavy duty applications in stainless steel or mild steel construction.