Cycloidal Gearboxes & Speed Reducers For Automated Conveyor Systems
Cycloidal gearboxes increase automated conveyor system productivity in warehouses, production lines, logistics and distribution operations.
What is an automated conveyor system?
Automated conveyor systems use motorized belts, chains, or rollers to move materials or products from one place to another with automatic speed control including stopping and starting at specific locations. They can be used to automatically separate and direct loads down specific routes to different destinations, and often depend on cycloidal gearboxes for reliable operation.
What are the advantages of automated conveyor systems?
Automated conveyor systems increase productivity and efficiency of warehouses and production facilities, and have a significant impact on the effectiveness of logistics, distribution, and sorting centers. To achieve this they rely on dependable gearboxes and drives, which is why automated conveyor systems often use cyclo drives and cyclo speed reducers.
Three advantages of automated conveyor systems
- Reducing the time taken for goods to flow through the conveyor system
- Accurately and predictable control over the movement of products
- Achieving constant flow by automatic separation and distribution of goods
In logistics and distribution centers, the purpose of conveyor systems is to reduce time taken to transport goods between a receiving area and storage or picking areas. In automated production line conveyor systems, the aim is to reliably move the product between stages and through stages in a predictable, controlled manner that speeds up workflow.
Automated conveyor systems for boxes and pallets can achieve a constant flow through the system. This is not possible with a manual system, but an automated conveyor system can be designed to separate and direct boxes and pallets to the correct destination. This is very useful when there are different processes for storing, retrieving, picking, and handling different stock items.
Why are cyclo speed reducers and cyclo gearboxes used in automated conveyor systems?
Three reasons cyclo speed reducers and cyclo gearboxes are used in automated conveyors
- Reliable, dependable operation
- Compact formats enable installation in small spaces
- High precision stop-start capabilities
Reliable, dependable cyclo gearboxes for automated conveyor systems
Automated conveyor systems feature belt, chain, or roller conveyors that are powered by electric motors. The choice of speed reducer, drive or gearbox is critical to reliable and consistent operation, which is why dependable cyclo speed reducers and cyclo gearboxes are an ideal choice for automated conveyor systems.
Compact cyclo speed reducers for automated conveyors in small spaces
Compact cyclo speed reducers make automated conveyors easy to set up in both large automated warehouses and in smaller spaces. Automated conveyors can connect receiving areas, material handling areas, shipping areas, lifting equipment, storage and racking systems over short or long distances.
High precision stop-start cyclo drives are ideal for automated conveyor systems
Very high precision and fast stop-start capabilities are essential in automated conveyor systems that separate and direct goods in different directions, especially when items on the conveyor need to be stopped in exactly the same place for manual or automatic processing. The high torque capabilities and shock load resistance of cyclo drives make them the perfect choice for this task.
Six examples of automated conveyor systems that use cyclo drives
- Pallet conveyor systems – high loads need reliable, robust conveyor systems
- Box conveyor systems – may combine roller conveyors and belt conveyors designed for boxes and cartons
- Distribution & sorting center conveyor systems – used for inventory management and rapid distribution
- Chain conveyor systems – usually the best automated solutions for heavy pallet transportation
- Belt Conveyor Systems – friction between the belt and the goods being transported improves precision of placement on the belt
- Roller conveyor systems – can combine automated and gravity warehousing systems with different roller and drive configurations
What are the key components of an automated conveyor system?
Manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and logistics businesses use automated conveyor systems to streamline the movement of goods, improve efficiency, increase safety and reduce errors – use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology or barcode scanners allows the conveyor system to rapidly identify items and direct them accordingly through the system. There are six key components of an automated conveyor system:
1. Conveyors
Automated conveyor systems may use any type of belt, roller, chain drive, drag or other moving platform as the bed on which the products or goods are transported between locations.
2. Drives
Gearboxes and motors that generate the force to drive conveyors are located at convenient locations along the conveyor, based on the system design. Automated conveyor systems require highly reliable, torque-resistant drives, which is why cyclo drives are preferred.
3. Control System
A centralized system coordinates the movement of products or goods through the conveyor system. These are usually computerized systems that manage the conveyor’s speed and direction as well as stop-start operations at work stations.
4. Sensors and Detectors
Automated conveyor systems include sensors and detectors. to identify what is traveling on the conveyor, provide information on the conveyor’s position and speed, and recognize possible issues including jamming or unexpected obstacles.
5. Sorting and Diverting Mechanisms
Many automated conveyor systems include sorting and diverting mechanisms that are used to direct materials to different places based on predetermined criteria. This enables automated sorting, distribution, and assembly processes.
6. Integrated Equipment
Automated conveyor systems often work with other automated equipment, including robotic arms, packaging machines, barcode scanners, and weighing scales. This enables seamless material handling and efficient workflow automation, reducing reliance on manual labor..
What are the advantages of cyclo speed reducers & cyclo gearboxes for automated conveyor systems?
- Very durable and reliable, ideal for continuous operation
- Excellent for heavy loads & precise movement
- Scheduled maintenance minimizes machinery downtime
The benefits of an automated conveyor system are increased efficiency, reduced manual labor, faster throughput, better safety, and more control over material flow. Automated conveyor systems can manage a wide range of products, from small components to heavy items, and may be subject to specific space constraints and stop-start production requirements, as well as long periods of continuous operation.
The reliability and easily scheduled maintenance of cyclo drives, cyclo speed reducers and cyclo gearboxes is one feature that makes them an excellent choice for automated conveyor systems, especially ones with long duty cycles. Their compact size and high power ratings are an added advantage when building systems with tight curves or in small spaces.
High torque tolerance and load capacity makes cycloidal gearboxes well suited for light and heavy duty automated conveyor systems. Many automated conveyor systems are designed with rapid start / stop locations, which generate significant forces that cycloidal speed reducers are designed to handle easily with no backlash.
Why are Transcyko cycloidal gearboxes the best choice for automated conveyor systems?
Our long experience of manufacturing efficient and reliable cycloidal gearboxes and cyclo speed reducers leads us to continuously innovate and develop new products to meet the evolving requirements of our customers. As a result of our attention to continuous improvement and very high quality standards, our global customers can depend on our cyclo gearboxes to be a reliable solution to their business needs.
What are two features of cycloidal gearboxes and cyclo drives that make them ideal for automated conveyor systems?
- Continuous low maintenance operation and high torque stop-start operations are easily managed by cycloidal gearboxes.
- Cyclo drives and cyclo speed reducers are very precise with extremely low, or zero backlash. This makes them ideal for conveyors requiring high positional accuracy..
Our cyclo drives and cycloid gearboxes are high precision products which offer rugged performance in a compact format. Low maintenance overheads and long duty cycles mean that cyclo speed reducers can provide a simple solution that meets all the requirements of automated conveyor systems.
Low, or zero, backlash and tolerance to very high torque loads makes cycloidal gearboxes the logical choice for the type of rapid stop-start switching that is often required in automated conveyor systems, combined with very precise positioning accuracy.
Four added benefits of using Transcyko cycloidal gearboxes and speed reducers
- Flexible mounting options
- Easy to seal against the environment
- Compact designs
- Interchangeable with other leading cyclo brands
How do you specify a cycloidal gearbox for automated conveyor systems?
To determine the correct cycloidal gearbox for automated conveyor systems you must first identify motor horsepower and required output shaft torque. Because cycloidal drives are very efficient you will usually discover output requirements are achievable with less power than would need to be specified for a non-cycloid speed reducer.
What do I need to know to specify cycloidal speed reducers for automated conveyor systems?
- Motor speed (RPM) & horsepower (HP) required
- Reduction ratio required
- Horizontal, right-angle, vertical, or other direction of mounting
- Daily hours of operation
- What machinery will be driven by the cyclo drive
- Sealing requirements for protecting from the environmental
- What is the anticipated AGMA service class
What AGMA service class is required for cycloidal gearboxes used in automated conveyor systems?
AGMA Service Classifications for gearmotors specify the correct gearbox construction type for different degrees of shock loading and length of daily duty cycles. AGMA load classifiers are specified as uniform (I), moderate shock (II), and heavy shock (III).
If your gearbox or speed reducer does not meet the AGMA Class specification for the use category you will be at risk of sudden failures from overloading. Cycloid gearboxes are not prone to sudden failure because they share loads across internal components, but planetary and linear gearboxes that are incorrectly classified will often fail without warning.
Moderate to heavy duty automated conveyor systems will need to meet AGMA Class II or AGMA Class III service specifications, especially if there is a requirement for rapid and precise start / stop operation under anything but very light loads.
5 features of Transcyko cycloidal gearboxes & cyclo speed reducers
- Standard gearbox input speed options at 60Hz: 1750 and 1165 RPM
- Standard gearbox input speed options at 50Hz: 1450 and 980 RPM
- Not limited by thermal capacity in standard operational conditions
- Braked motor turn-down limit 4:1 (or better), unbraked standard ratio 10:1, C-face 1000:1
- Resists shock loadings even up to 500% of the gearbox rating
Because we design and engineer our cycloidal gearboxes and cyclo drives in-house, If you require non-standard features or specifications our in-house engineering team is always available to build customized gearboxes to suit your exact requirements.
Transcyko manufactures gearboxes for all types of applications
Because we manufacture a comprehensive range of cycloid gearboxes, cyclo drives, speed reducers, and cyclo derivatives our customers have the benefit of being able to source any drives or gearboxes they need from a single cycloid gearbox manufacturer. Of course, we also design and manufacture high quality planetary and epicyclic gearboxes to the same standards as our cyclo products.
An added benefit for our customers is that our cycloidal products are designed to be compatible, and interchangeable, with the cyclo products provided by other global brands. Because of this, machinery installation, maintenance and support are easy, even if you have a wide range of different gearboxes on site.
- Cyclo gearboxes
- Cycloidal drives & cyclo speed reducers
- Travel motor, servo, & cyclo derivative gearboxes
- High quality planetary & epicyclic gearboxes
As the premier cycloidal gearbox manufacturer in Taiwan, we pride ourselves on delivering reliable, efficient gearboxes to our global customer base. Our speed reducers and drives are built to exceed your expectations. Our dedicated service, support, design and engineering teams are ready to respond to your requests. Please contact us now to find out how we can help you.