UPM CONVEYORS

They will interface with robots for a fully automated production cell incorporating photo electric cells through beam sensors for product detection to stop/start each conveyor, complete with variable speed control and audible/visual alarms to cater for product being discharged and transferred some 9.5m to a convenient operator height.

Extensive trials were conducted to ensure the correct type of belt was used to eliminate any possibility of product damage. Also, due to the compact production area, it was imperative that the conveyor cells fitted perfectly so UPM employed 3D mechanical solid modelling design software to create 3D digital prototypes using the design visualisation and simulation of products which allows the image to be rotated through 360°, so eliminating any risk of the system not interfacing to the existing equipment and being accommodated with the allocated production area.

UPM invested circa £50k in the new software which includes assembly stress analysis allowing UPM Conveyors input driving loads; friction characteristics and dynamic components then to run dynamic simulation tests to see how a product would work under real world conditions.