Conveyor Handles Increased Capacity at Disk Drive Manufacturer
Immediate requirements were to install a system to handle the increased capacity from the final wash process to the automated optical inspection (AOI) area. The specification called for a Class 10 compatible intelligent conveyor system, which would route individual caddies from any washer to any tester. The transfer system needed to allow product buffering but not product-to-product contact.
Seagate also decided that automating supply and removal of shipping caddies in the AOI area would improve congestion and cleanliness. This specification called for a bidirectional conveyor system that could handle the product gently, route and accumulate empty and full caddies under minimum line pressure conditions and meet Class 10 cleanliness. "It was important to find a partner who had proven ability to meet our strict process specifications, who could offer full project management and who could deliver on time," says Ciaran Nicell, equipment manager.