Overhead track system, also known as the overhead conveyor system is an automated tool that moves material from one point to another, consist of a continuous chain or cable loop, suspended on the track. Sometimes, carriers are attached to add various processes. The entire operation of the overhead hoist track system is carried out by the upper part of the production plant.
Hevery duty ceiling track system is generally used when in the production plant there are many operations on the floor and a more dynamic and effective flow of materials is required. Very long conveyors have usually been implemented those help transport materials or products in the different circuits or phases, before being finished products. Normally, overhead conveyors are chain, which is robust and has hooks where products that may be irregular are positioned. These products must be distributed as food in the assembly lines or to carry out specific processes such as paint drying through an oven. Overhead conveyors are frequently used by automotive assemblers, the auto parts industry, and white goods companies.
Structure of Overhead Track Systems
- Fixed track: composed of steel or special section beam, hanging on the plant roof or independent bracket, generally form a closed loop. Most hoisting cars run on the lower flange, which requires the operating surface of the flange to be smooth. When moving materials at different heights or between floors, a rail lift section can be used (see suspension conveyors).
- Fork road: to connect the fixed track and the selection of crane trolley running line of the live track. Forkway is divided into tongue type, translation type and turntable type 3. Tongue branch roads can be double – junction Y – type, or multiple – junction. One end of the movable tongue rail is hinged to the fixed rail and the other end can be moved along the supporting guide rail until the desired line is connected. It is simpler in construction and lighter in weight. The bifurcation rail frame of the translational fork moves along the fixed guide rail, so that the main line is connected with the required branch, and the parallel track can be transferred. The turntable fork rail is mounted on a frame that rotates around the vertical axis, allowing the lifting trolley to rotate 360°(usually 90°). This fork is used when compact dimensions are required. Forks may be manually, pneumatically or hydraulically driven. In order to keep the trolley from falling when disengaging or connecting the track, a positioning locking device is installed at the end of the track.
- Lifting car: can be self-propelled, can also be pushed by hand. The running electric hoist is often directly used as a lifting trolley
Application of Overhead Track System
- The combined Overhead track system is an ideal solution for equipping modern slaughter departments, especially suitable for hanging, transporting and storing meat in cold storage and processing rooms.
- Overhead monorail system is mainly used in the mold shop, paint shop, assembly shop, warehouse and slaughterhouse in the flow line to transport materials. It can also be used in combination with a hanging beam crane (see bridge crane) to extend the service range.
- Curtain equipment for factories, warehouses, stadiums, museums and restaurants
- Truck body sliding doors, building sliding doors and hanging product display stands and
- Cables for power supply or control to cranes, tools and air hoses.
Advantages of Overhead Track Systems
- The plant layout is alternatively implemented using unused overhead space (cubic maximization) to free up valuable floor space for production equipment and operators.
- Small vertical and horizontal bending lengths can be achieved.
- Buffer memory that can store serially produced components and deliver them to the picking point in order when needed
- Multi-drive technology that provides speed difference can be used to create a complete production system in a friction-driven overhead conveyor
- Reduce operating costs, and is known for being very safe