Right Angle Transfer

CDSL has extensive troubleshooting experience that enables us to effectively identify problem areas that limit production and drain resources. Once the problem has been identified, we work hand in hand with our customer to provide a proven solution. Our goal is to increase line efficiency by limiting unnecessary downtime and maintenance costs.

This project arose from CDSL’s desire to provide a total system solution to what we observed to be an ongoing problem on one of our customer's packaging lines. An existing carton spinner and lane divider took a single row of cartons with the long side leading and rotated it 90°. The cartons were then separated into two rows for loading by the case packer. This arrangement had unacceptable production downtime and maintenance expenses. CDSL did extensive research and prototype testing to develop a unit which received two cartons, long side leading, in a pair of three vane rotary feeders. As the second carton is received, the rotary feeders index 120° and drop the two cartons onto a take-away belt conveyor running perpendicular to the infeed conveyor and feds the case packer with the two cartons side by side with the short side or the cartons leading. Once, CDSL felt comfortable with the concept, the client was approached with the idea, potential savings determined, and the final project scope developed. The CDSL built right angle transfer vane feeders are indexed by servo motors. Metering belts are used to control the feed and spacing of cartons into the right-angle transfer. The existing lines ran straight through to the case packer, using the spinner to orient the cartons. A 45° turn was added in both the infeed and discharge conveyors to the right-angle transfer to orient the cartons properly for the case packer. CDSL procured and integrated the mat top infeed conveyor, the speed-up and metering belts, the discharge conveyor and splitter with the right-angle transfer. The CDSL system integration services included preparation of a functional description, procurement of the components, shop testing, programming and development of the installation and electrical construction bid package. CDSL also provided the client with construction and start-up assistance.

To date, this right-angle transfer has been installed on a total of five lines in the plant. The start-up of the first line was accomplished within two production shifts. At that time, the line was in full production and operating in such a manner as to justify all the client cost saving projections.