Product category:
Robotics, Handling and Storage
News Release from: Montech | Subject: Montrac
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 22 June 2000
Pallet transfer permits shock-free
transport
While most palletised transfer systems use a common traction system, often belts or chains, Montrac uses a passive monorail track and self-propelled shuttles.
Even if you are familiar with palletised transfer systems, you may not realise that some are fundamentally different from others While most use a common traction system, often belts or chains, Montrac uses a passive monorail track and self-propelled shuttles
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 2 Oct 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The shuttles receive their power from 24V bus bars on the track and they are controlled by sensors that detect cams positioned along the track.
Perhaps the main advantage of this concept is the incredibly smooth motion that is achieved through pre-set acceleration and deceleration ramps, and optical sensors on the shuttles that detect any obstruction and cause the shuttle to decelerate and stop.
It is therefore possible to reliably transport fragile assemblies - or liquids - without causing damage or disturbance.
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Montrac is equally applicable to fully automated assembly and test cells or production lines which are partly automated and partly manual.
Because the shuttles are self-propelled, the Montrac system is far quieter than conventional pallet systems.
And there is no knocking noise from the pallets colliding! Furthermore, the self-propelled shuttles use only around one-twentieth of the electrical power that would be necessary to run a conventional system.
Wear is almost non-existent and maintenance is minimal.
Unusually for a palletised transfer system, Montrac does not suffer from static electricity problems, making it particularly suitable for the assembly of sensitive electronic devices.
In addition, the system is, in many cases, acceptable for use in cleanrooms, whether it is a food, pharmaceutical or electronic assembly application.
Depending on the complexity of the project - and Montrac becomes ever more cost-effective as the complexity increases - in excess of 30 shuttles can be used on a system.
Other features of the system include transfer gates (switchable T-junctions), crossovers and lift stations (with a maximum travel of 2.5m).
Shuttles stop at workstations within ñ0.4mm or, if greater accuracy is required, a positioning unit can be used to give ñ0.02mm in X and Y.
Multiple positioning units are also available that allow a shuttle to be stepped forward at a predefined pitch, which can eliminate one axis of a pick-and-place unit.
Typical Montrac applications include assembly lines for telecommunications products, automotive components, and medical devices.
More details about the Montrac system are included on a CD-Rom available from Montech.
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