Automated Material Handling Systems
Automated Material Handling Systems
Automated Material Handling Systems
CIM
ATILIM
UNIVERSITY
Conveyor Systems
Conveyors are used when material must be moved in relatively large quantities between specific locations over a fixed path. Conveyors divided into two basic categories: 1. Powered conveyors 2. Non-powered conveyors.
In powered conveyors, the power mechanism is contained in the fixed path, using belts, rotating rolls, or other devices to propel loads along the path. They are commonly used in automated material transfer systems. In non-powered conveyors, materials are moved either manually or by human workers who push the loads along the fixed path.
Types of Conveyors
A variety of conveyor equipment is commercially available. The following are the major types of powered conveyors: In roller conveyor, the pathway consists of a series of tubes (rollers) that are perpendicular to the direction of travel. The rollers are contained in a fixed frame that elevates the pathway above floor level from several inches to several feet. Flat pallets carrying unit loads are moved forward as the roller rotate. Roller conveyors are used in a wide variety of applications, including manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.
Types of Conveyors
2. Belt Conveyors consist of a continuous loop: Half its length is used for delivering materials , and other half is the return run.
Conveyor Analysis
Two types of conveyor operation are discussed in this course: 1. Single direction conveyors. 2. Continuous loop conveyors.
Ld Td ! vc
Where Td = delivery time (min), Ld = length of conveyor between load and unload stations (m), vc = conveyor velocity (m/min)
R
f
! RL
vc 1 ! e sc TL
RL = loading rate (parts/min). sc = center-to-center spacing of materials on the conveyor (m/part). TL = loading time (min/part).
TU e TL
Where TU = Unloading time (min/part). If unloading requires more time than loading, then unremoved loads may accumulate at the downstream end of the conveyor For transporting several parts in a carrier rather than a single part.
Rf !
n p vc sc
1 e TL
Where np = number of parts per carrier sc = center-to-center spacing of carriers on the conveyor (m/carrier)
Continuous Conveyors
In continuous conveyor, the parts are moved in the carries between a load station and unload station. The complete loop is divided into two sections: A delivery (forward) loop in which the carriers are loaded, and A return loop in which the carriers travel empty.
The length of the delivery loop is Ld, and the length of the return loop is Le. Total length of the conveyor is therefore L=Ld+Le.
Continuous Conveyors
The total time required to travel the complete loop is
Continuous Conveyors
Where Rf = parts per minute. Again, this rate must be consistent with limitations on the time it takes to load and unload the conveyor.
An automated storage/retrieval system (AS/RS) can be defined as a storage system that performs storage and retrieval operations with speed and accuracy under a defined degree of automation. A wide range of automation is found in commercially available AS/RS systems. At the most sophisticated level, the operations are totally automated, computer controlled, and fully integrated with a factory. Automated storage/retrieval systems are custom designed for each application, although the designs are based on standard modular components available from each respective AS/RS supplier.
capacity
per
aisle ! 2n y nz
Where ny = number of load compartments along the length of the aisle, and nz = number of load compartments that make up the height of the aisle. The constant 2 accounts for the fact that loads are contained on both sides of the aisle
W ! 3( x a ) L ! n y ( y b) H !n z ( z c)