Which factors are needed to be taken into consideration before purchasing conveyor technology into operation?
First, we need to look at what the conveyor will be used for and what it will transport. Based on this, the type of conveyor, its speed, width, distance between rollers, load capacity, segment lengths, sensors, control, etc. are proposed. Then we deal with the integration of the conveyor, depending on whether it is integration into the existing control system or a new application (which means new control, switchboard, etc.) In the case of integration into an existing system, we must take into consideration the communication between the conveyor (control card) and the PLC or other control element (control via MQTT protocol, etc.) so that we can control the conveyor both in relation to the logic of the material flow and, for example, from the position of safety.
By the way, as a system integrator, do you "work" with conveyors that have already been chosen by your client, i.e. the future user, or do you choose their supplier as part of the entire order?
Both variants are possible. The Czech market is specific in that very often the customer designs the solution himself/herself (what and where he/she wants to deliver) and then only wants the supply of "iron" or possibly a recommendation on which type of technology to choose. We prefer to be at the design stage so that we can influence the possible selection and propose the most optimal solution in terms of price and performance.
What will it bring to the client?
I like saying that I am not so much interested in what the customer wants, but what they need. This includes analysis of the solution, calculation of throughput or possible simulation of the entire system using Digital Twin. This reveals the shortcomings and bottlenecks, but also, for example, technology oversizing, which is also a very common phenomenon. In this case, we will optimize the entire solution, even by removing some technology, because the simulation will show us that it is unnecessary here.
In which processes within the intralogistics are roller conveyors typically integrated, and what demands does this place on their management and operation?
Most often when transporting the same type of material and transporting KLT and other standardized boxes. Roller conveyors can have their own integrated logic, where we use control cards to switch control options (ZIP, train, etc.), or they are controlled from a PLC, where we can monitor and control each roller separately. Nowadays, control cards that can be controlled via the MQTT protocol are becoming more and more popular, eliminating the need to build a PLC. We are intensively dealing with this option because we see great added value here, both in terms of cost savings and faster delivery times.
Do you want to mention what conveyor solution you have been working on lately and what was the challenge for you?
We recently completed an industrialization project at Hermes Fulfillment in Pilsen. It was a large-scale automation of processes, when a total of 2.3 km of conveyors were installed. The technology consists of belt and roller conveyors and our delivery also included mechanical and also electrical assembly, PLC programming and project management. We delivered the project within six months of signing the contract. And the biggest challenge? We had to deal with a large-scale project spread over two buildings, while one of them had five floors where the client's logistics operations were constantly taking place.
Source: Systémy Logistiky
