Posted by admin on 1st February 2012

Outdoor Equipment Manufacturer Implements Conveyor Systems in Innovative Automation Process

ï»¿

xml:lang=”en” lang=”en” xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”>

Outdoor Equipment Manufacturer Implements Conveyor Systems in Innovative Automation Process

DynaCon modular conveyor used by Black Diamond Equipment in hot forging process

Muskegon, MI (PRWEB) May 20, 2010

In developing an automated system to lubricate aluminum parts for hot forging, Mike Will, Operations Engineer for Black Diamond Equipment, envisioned a Z-style conveyor as a central part of that system. Searching for a company that manufactures conveyor systems such as this, Will discovered Dynamic Conveyor Corp., manufacturer of DynaCon modular conveyors.

âBecause the conveyor is such an integral part of the system I was developing, it was really important that I have access to a model of the conveyor early on in the design process,â says Will. âOther companies would give me a cost, but providing a finalized design or concept was several weeks out.â But because DynaCon conveyor systems use reconfigurable conveyor technology with modular components, âthey were able to supply me with drawings and a model early on in the project.â

Prior to implementing the new system, the process of lubricating the parts before they went into the die was performed manually. âWe had to manually dip them, and our cycle times made that a terrible use of human resources. There was a lot of idle time,â says Will. While determining how to eliminate the need for an operator to manually feed the process, finding a company with conveyor systems that could withstand the characteristics of the lubricant was one of the biggest concerns.

âAs the lubricant sits in open air, it tends to build up on any surface near the water line. As the lubrication evaporates, the solids are left behind forming a kind of sludge. This was a major consideration in how I approached the design of the entire machine, but particularly the conveyor,â says Will.

Because DynaCon conveyors are self-lubricating and use a positive sprocket drive and tracking with the plastic link style belting that eliminates belt slippage, the conveyor systems that use reconfigurable conveyor technology are maintenance free.

âItâs the way the conveyorâs designed,â says Will of the ability for the modular conveyors to withstand the lubricant. âThere are not a lot of places for that material to attach to and in addition to that, the materials used in the DynaCon tend to prevent the lubricant from accumulating.â

The recently implemented automated system links the DynaCon Z-style conveyor with an oven conveyor, so the operator is able to control both conveyors as a single system. The DynaCon conveyor, partially immersed in the lubrication bath, draws parts up out of the bath and feeds them into the oven conveyor.

Will says of the DynaCon conveyor, âIâm impressed. Over six months of service, itâs required no maintenance and it hasnât needed any cleaning, which is nice because given the option, most people would rather not mess with the lubricant weâre using.â

Will estimates the entire system will pay for itself within two years at current volumes. Of the conveyor he adds, âit was surprisingly inexpensive given its capabilities. The conveyor is definitely carrying its own weight.â

All DynaCon products offer reconfigurable conveyor technology and come in a variety of widths, lengths, and accessory options. To see Dynamic Conveyorâs product offerings, including animations of conveyor systems assembly, visit http://www.dynamicconveyor.com or call (800) 640-6850.

# # #

Filed Under

Information