What Is a Conveyance Device?
A conveyance device is a device for moving parts or products in conveyance or manufacturing processes.
Conveyance devices can move even heavy objects safely and at low cost. They are therefore used in various locations, from large factories to small workpieces in semiconductor manufacturing. The use of conveyance devices increases productivity and reduces human error.
There are various types of conveyance devices, including conveyor-type conveyors, unmanned vehicles, lifting devices and robots, which are commonly used in manufacturing processes. The style of conveyance device is selected according to the workpiece to be applied.
Uses of Conveyance Devices
Conveyance devices are available in a variety of conveyance systems and are mainly used for conveying between manufacturing processes. Most heavy items such as steel materials and vehicles are manufactured using conveyance devices. In addition, in the food industry, conveyance devices are often used in factory production to maintain product cleanliness, moving products between processes without human intervention.
In the semiconductor industry, conveyor systems are also commonly used in order to prevent contamination of semiconductors during processing, while maintaining a high level of cleanliness.
Principle of Conveyance Devices
1. Conveyor System
Conveyance devices use multiple rollers, belts and suspension chains to convey. Parts or products are conveyed by placing them on a rotating roller or belt conveyance device. There are also pneumatic levitation conveyors, where the belt is supported by air to eliminate vibration.
2. Elevating-Type
Elevating conveyance devices perform vertical loading and unloading. These include simple lifts, lifts and elevators. As they are basically conveyance devices, most of them do not allow people to get on board. Depending on the device, it may be necessary to check the Building Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc. for installation.
3. Unmanned Transport Vehicles
An unmanned conveyance device is a device in which magnetic tape or magnetic rods are installed on the floor so that a trolley carrying a load is guided by the magnetism emitted from the magnetic tape, etc., and can proceed unmanned. They can also carry heavy objects such as moulds. Unmanned transport vehicles, also known as AGVs, are also used in factories, hospitals and logistics sensors operating 24 hours a day.
Types of Conveyance Devices
Conveyance devices in the manufacturing industry can be broadly classified into conveyance devices for transport processes, such as conveyors, elevators and AGVs, and conveyance devices that are integrated into manufacturing processes, such as the transport and retrieval of workpieces on production lines.
1. Classification by Transport Process
In the conveyance process, conveyance devices such as overhead suspension conveyors, roller and belt conveyors, screw conveyors, elevators and automatic guided vehicles are used to convey workpieces. Depending on the item, vacuum or electromagnetic suction may be used in the suspension method.
The drive for conveyors and other travel is chain-driven or pneumatically or hydraulically driven. Heavy loads can also be moved using pneumatic or electromagnetic levitation.
2. Classification by Manufacturing Process
In manufacturing processes, conveyance devices such as robot conveyors and actuators are used in addition to the usual conveyor systems. Gantry loaders and autoloaders are used for loading workpieces into machine tools and removing them after machining.
Conveyance devices are also used in press processing. Conveyance devices are incorporated between press machines to transport the workpiece to the next process. For the manufacture of semiconductors and other components, conveyance devices are available for conveying wafers of different thicknesses and for very thin wafers.
Other Information on Conveyance Devices
1. Advantages of Conveyance Devices
Improved Efficiency and Productivity of Transfer Operations
Conveyance devices enable workpieces of various shapes and weights to be conveyed reliably, quickly and accurately, without manual handling. This has a significant effect on work efficiency and productivity.
It is essential to shift to highly productive operations, freeing valuable human resources from simple tasks such as workpiece transfer.
Improved Quality
The workpieces and components to be conveyed are diverse, including those that are difficult to pick and those that are delicate and easily damaged. Some items are also unsuitable for human transport, such as wafers in semi-conductor manufacturing.
Conveyance devices reduce the risk of workpieces falling or being damaged during transport, make it easier to carry out reliable processing operations and improve quality.
A Step Towards Automation
Conveyance devices are the first step towards automation and manpower-saving in production lines. Furthermore, the use of factory equipment, including conveyance devices, and the IoT (Internet of Things) can lead to the realisation of so-called smart factories.
2. Examples of Conveyance Devices
Small-Radius Swivel Trolleys
Small radius swivel trolleys are used for transport in narrow factories. The minimum radius is around 750 mm.
Refuse Container Transfer/Storage Equipment
Refuse container transfer/storage equipment is a conveyance device for transferring and storing containers at refuse collection centres.
Substrate Transfer Conveyors
In worker conveyors, substrates are paused on the conveyor and visually checked by the operator. In cooling conveyors, cooling fans are used to cool the substrates.