With floor space in high throughput production processes frequently fully utilised and conveyor lines needing to run through multiple sections, there is often a need to convey products not just over long distances but also to transport them up and down to cater for different line heights. The new MiniTec WF 3000 Spiral Conveyor provides a lift height of up to three metres and a conveying distance of up to 50 metres in a floor area of around three square metres, and also serves as a storage and production buffer for conveyed items.
The spiral conveyor’s modular conveyor track has up to 15 sections with a width of 240 mm. The height distance between each single section is just 200 mm, maintaining a low incline angle which helps to safeguard against load slippage as well as contributing to the overall compactness of the assembly. The WF 3000 has an inlet height of 800 mm and an output height of 4000 mm. The variable conveying speed of 5 to 50 m/min allows for very flexible regulation during material flow considering the transport load of up to 3000 N. Despite its considerable conveying capacity and large buffering potential, the outer dimensions of the unit maintain a compact footprint of just 1600 x 1600 mm and an overall height of 4500 mm.
MiniTec’s UMS pallet circulation conveyor also requires minimum floor space for its function of interlinking various types of processing machines or for loading goods to robot cells. The re-circulating chain design serves as both carrier and drive unit for the system. The off-loaded pallets are turned vertically by an interlocking gripper with return transportation hanging beneath the conveyor. The system can also be used as an overhead suspension track, returning empty pallets at 
the top level. Pallet accumulation is possible on the conveying level as well as on the return.
The UMS pallet circulation system is designed for 400 to 600 mm wide pallets with a length of 100 to 300 mm in the conveying direction. For standard range applications, the maximum installation length is 20 metres and the maximum load capacity is 100 kg per pallet. The allowable load of the complete unit is 1.2 t with a conveying speed of 6 m/min or 0.8 tonnes at 12 m/min.
Both of these examples take full advantage of the high-quality modular machine 
building components that are readily available in its modular Profile System range. Customised systems can include additional automation features such as motion controlled or sensor controlled electric or pneumatic actuators, or simple construction items such as screens, wheels, doors and guards etc.
MiniTec’s range of conveying and parts handling solutions has been extended considerably through acquisitions in recent years and now includes solutions for many different materials processing applications. The product line includes heavy-load roller conveyors, belt driven conveyors, roller and accumulating roller conveyors as well as comprehensive assembly systems like the heavy duty RMS series or the FMS flexible assembly system.
MiniTec’s team of experienced engineers are on hand to support customers during project planning, and implementation of all conveying systems.
MiniTec UK Ltd
Unit 1 Telford Road
Houndmills Estate
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 6YU
UK
Tel +44 (0) 1256 365605
Fax +44(0) 1256 365606
Web: www.minitec.co.uk
