Conveyor Moves Workpieces Weighing 3,000 Kilograms

Bosch Rexroth has introduced the TS 7plus transfer system, a freely configurable, fully electric conveyor for workpieces weighing up to 3,000 kilograms.

The TS 7plus transports material via rollers on freely configurable modular sections. Options include lift and transverse units, rotary units, positioning units, and stop gates. The minimum height of 350 millimeters for both longitudinal and transverse conveying helps facilitate manual assembly processes and improve ergonomics for employees. The standard workpiece pallet measures 2,200 by 3,000 millimeters.

The conveyor section consists of either solid or hollow rollers, which are approximately 50 percent larger than the previous TS 7 system. The reduced number of moving parts per meter increases availability, and the newly designed bearing block enables faster assembly with two mounting tabs in the profile, as well as easy replacement for maintenance.

Unlike chain drives, the TS 7plus is powered by king shafts that operate without lubrication and require minimal maintenance. The motor’s torque is transmitted to the conveyor rollers via bevel gears, thus minimizing contamination of the workpieces. The bevel gears require no re-tensioning or maintenance.

In conventional accumulation operations, stop gates keep workpiece pallets at defined stations. With the alternative segmented operation, the motors for section transport, rotary units, and lift and transverse units run only when required. This increases energy efficiency and reduces total cost of ownership. In addition, the motors can be designed smaller and benefit from a longer service life due to their demand-based operation. 

Bosch Rexroth offers motors with outputs of 180 and 250 watts for the TS 7plus, as well as an interface for the use of third-party motors.

The motors can be placed on either the outside or inside of a section. With internally mounted motors, there are no interfering contours that could otherwise hinder employees or protrude into travel paths. With a conveyor speed of up to 24 meters per minute, the system achieves significantly shorter transport times than automated guided vehicles.

Bosch Rexroth
www.boschrexroth.com

Heavy-Duty Vertical Transfer Unit

Photo courtesy Glide-Line

The Heavy-Duty Vertical Transfer Unit (VTU) from Glide-Line moves heavy pallets up and down to transfer them from one level to another. The servo-driven unit can lift a palletized load of 200 kilograms to a height of up to 5 meters. The system has a welded painted steel tube frame structure with fixed exterior safety panels, ensuring durability and operator protection.

The VTU is suitable for robotics integration, multi-level assembly lines, and high-mix assembly systems where controlled product flow between elevations is critical.

With options including steel lifting elements, roller chain transport, and manual chain tensioning, the VTU can be configured to match a range of application requirements. Its modular design allows it to integrate seamlessly with pallet conveyor platforms, timing belt transport systems, and broader assembly automation systems.

The VTU’s precision lift control supports consistent product presentation to downstream processes, including robotic assembly, inspection, and packaging operations.

Glide-Line
www.glide-line.com

Conveyor for Medical Device Assembly

Photo courtesy FlexLink

FlexLink has introduced a smart, puck-based conveyor for automated assembly and packaging of medical devices, such as insulin pens. The high-speed conveyor combines gentle handling with industrial-grade performance.

The system gently handles fragile assemblies, such as vials, syringes or ampoules. Each assembly is securely held in a custom puck, stabilizing the product as it moves through critical processes such as labeling, inspection and packaging. This protects the devices and ensures they remain oriented correctly for subsequent processing steps.

The conveyor integrates seamlessly with existing equipment, including vision systems, robots and labeling modules. The system enables full traceability and real-time data capture, supporting GMP, FDA and EU standards.

Clean, quiet, and efficient, the conveyor can be used for sterile, cold chain and freeze-dried products, and it can be integrated with filling, packaging and other end-of-line processes. Systems are available for line-balancing and short-stoppage compensation. Various modules are available to elevate, accumulate, distribute and divert pucks. Options include built-in workstations, multi-level and multi-lane systems, and gate systems.

It can handle and buffer large volumes gently and accurately, without scratching.

FlexLink
www.flexlink.com

Heavy-Duty Belt Conveyor

Photo courtesy QC Conveyors

QC Conveyors has introduced its widest, longest and strongest aluminum-frame conveyor, capable of moving heavy loads in a variety of applications. The reinforced frame of this heavy-duty conveyor features dual T-slots for mounting accessories. It is highly configurable, easy to maintain, and competitively priced.

The strong aluminum frame is complemented by steel cross-ties for maximum support. Each frame section is securely connected to those cross-ties to ensure long-term rigidity.

A crowned pulley ensures proper tracking in most applications. The crowned pulley is slightly thicker in the center to take advantage of the natural tendency for belts to run centered on the longest part of the conveyor. This method of tracking ensures the longest life for belts. The frames and pulleys are configured to accept optional V-guided belting without any modifications. V-guides ensure consistent tracking in side-loading and reversing applications.

A variety of cleated and flat belts are available, including multipurpose, high friction, accumulation, cut-resistant, anti-microbial, static conductive, color contrasting, translucent, release properties, and specialty profiles. Belts are available in lengths of up to 40 feet and widths of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 inches. The conveyor can support loads of up to 600 pounds. Maximum belt speed is 535 feet per minute.

QC Conveyors
https://qcconveyors.com

For more information on conveyors, read these articles:
Conveyors Remain a Vital Link to Efficiency
Conveyors and Lean
AGVs vs. Conveyors