Specialty Tooling Systems out of Grand Rapids Michigan and Omni Metalcraft Corp. worked together to provide an exceptional drum handling solution utilizing multiple types and styles of conveyors and automation. The handling solution called for the accumulation, the robotic washing and the disposal of cardboard drums.
The handling solution called for the accumulation, the robotic washing and the disposal of 300 lb cardboard drums full of toxic powder substance. Due to the nature of each of these handling applications, different conveying solutions were chosen. Part of the system which included plastic belt conveyors, chain driven live roller and chain transfers, was installed in the “mixing room”, which was an extremely caustic environment that received a weekly bleach water washdown. Due to the nature of this environment, these conveyors were constructed in mostly stainless steel or plastic components with washdown drives.
Indexing chain driven live roller was used for the accumulation portion of the system. Pneumatic pop up chain transfers were utilized for 90 degree transfer of the drums into the chain driven live roller. Modular plastic belting was utilized to transport and accumulate and take away the drums. We utilized turning wheels on the modular plastic belt conveyor when 90 degree transfers were required. After the drum was washed and discharged back on to the chain driven live roller conveyor, we transition the empty drum on a dimple topped Teflon coated belt conveyor, over a chain driven live roller lift gate onto an incline and into a compactor.
