Power and Free Conveyor System
What is a Power and Free Conveyor System?
Power and free conveyor system are the workhorse of the overhead conveyor product family. They are typically used to transport parts along an assembly line from one process to another. Power and free conveyors also enable products to buffer along the conveyor path. Because they allow parts to stop and start automatically as required free conveyor systems are extremely versatile.
Power and free conveyor system by Arsai Conve Systems are exceptionally flexible and easy to maintain. We integrate Jervis Webb Power and Free Conveyor components in our overhead conveyors. They are ideally suited to demanding industrial environments that require a high degree of versatility and production accuracy. Arsai Conve Systems range of Webb power and Free Conveyors can handle loads ranging from as light as 5 pounds per unit to 20,000 pounds. Unlike basic continuously moving overhead monorail conveyor systems, power, and free conveyors provide the unique ability to stop individual loads without stopping the entire production line. Webb Power and Free Conveyors offer a wide range of features designed to maximize your production capacity, including:
- Variable chain speeds
- High-speed indexing
- On-line storage
- Adaptability to changes in elevation
Types of Power and Free Conveyor Systems
- I-Beam Power and Free
- Enclosed Track P&F
- Inverted I-beam Power Free
- Inverted enclosed track
- Over-Under
- Tandem
How Do Overhead Power and Free Conveyors Work?
Power and Free conveyors have two tracks, with one track located above the other. On one track which is known as the power track, a rivetless conveyor chain is attached. This conveyor runs continuously when the overhead conveyor is in operation. On the second track, you can attach the loads the conveyor will carry via load bars and trolleys. This second track is known as the free track of the conveyor systems. Our engineers will specify pusher dogs at regular intervals along the moving chain, which are little mechanical devices. The free trolleys are to be pushed along the conveyor track by the pusher dog. The free trolleys follow the pusher dog at the same pace as the power chain, as long as the track ahead is clear of both other trolleys and mechanical stop places.
During operation, the free trolley system disengages the trolley automatically when it comes into contact with another carrier in front of it. As a result, the power chain can keep operating. The free trolleys can thus stop and start at different locations along the conveyor system. When necessary, the loads on the conveyor can also group (accumulate). Alternatively, they can go individually using a pneumatically actuated stop that stops the free trolleys.
Start and stop any load at virtually any location along the line
As a result, Power and free conveyor trolleys can therefore allow each of the individual conveyor loads to stop and to start. They can accumulate together, and then be separated again in a controlled manner. Additionally, the system can include horizontal turns, vertical turns (elevation changes) and switches to send some trolleys in one direction and others in a different direction. Many power and free conveyors also feature two or more chains pulling the free trolleys around the conveyor system. In the production areas, the chain may move slowly on a “production speed chain”, and then the free trolley can then transition to a high speed. This high speed chain can quickly move the conveyor loads to the required delivery areas.
Power Free conveyors are generally considered to be part of the family of overhead conveyor systems. The hand push trolley system, which uses a trolley on an enclosed track or an I-beam, is the most basic type of overhead conveyor system. These conveyors can move continuously or stop/start (indexing mode) with the pieces moving with the chain when a motor and chain are added to the system. Lastly, because the loads can engage and disengage with the moving chain, Power and Free conveyor systems are the most practical within the overhead conveyor family. Power and free conveyors can also be used when positioned on the manufacturing floor, even though we typically think of them as belonging to the overhead conveyor category. Here, they are referred to as free conveyors and inverted power. They go by the names Power & Free conveyors or Power Free conveyors as well.
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