Flexible transport system can future-proof industry
A new transport system, designed with the electronics industry in mind, meets today’s requirements while ensuring a solution that is future-proofed to become part of an Industry 4.0 installation.
The massive, rapid market growth in energy storage and printed electronics – and the equally huge pressures of time, quality and cost – have driven requirements for new and more flexible conveying solutions. Bosch Rexroth has looked to address these requirements with its flexible transport system (FTS). Launched at the Hannover Fair, the FTS distils Bosch Rexroth’s engineering know-how, automation experience and problem-solving abilities into a single solution that makes production of flexible batteries, displays and electronics fast, accurate and future-proof.
Designed to increase productivity through greater standardisation, and to quickly adapt to changing requirements or batch sizes, the FTS is a scalable system that conveys products weighing from 1g to 2,000kg independently of one another, on workpiece carriers with maximum acceleration. Switch points allow processes to be run in parallel to increase productivity. Where rollers, chains or belt systems reach their limit for any reason, the FTS offers the perfect solution, delivering high accuracy and allowing for freely programmable individual and synchronised movements. It is also faster than traditional systems.
An example of this in practice: increasing battery production by almost 200% without any impact on time to market. The FTS version suitable for vacuum applications can be also used for production of the latest display types, such as OLED, or as an efficient, high-performance solution with clean room capability for semiconductor production. In particular, the completely non-contact drive concept ensures particle-free transport in vacuum.
The FTS is one part of a wider system of easily integrated solutions through which Bosch Rexroth has set out its ambition to future-proof the manufacturing industry. It is complemented by its precision motion control (MPC) system, which increases both accuracy and speed in hybrid and printed electronics production, de-livering maximum perform-ance in roll-to-roll processes and motion tasks in the sub-micro to nanometre range.
The MPC features open hardware and software for trouble-free integration, and pre-programmed functions to speed engineering, as well as enabling users to explore simulation, virtual commissioning and big data analysis. This, together with the FTS and web handling control algorithms, means the company now offers a complete suite of fully connected, IoT-ready solutions fit for the age of Industry 4.0.
Speaking about the launch, Paul Streatfield, product manager at Bosch Rexroth, said: “Hannover Messe gave us the perfect platform to launch our flexible transport system in tandem with our wider suite of solutions. Looking to the future, we’re focusing on flexible machine concepts that support the continuous development of new technologies, and that open up the full potential of productivity in manufacturing. The FTS is one essential part of this, and we’re excited about where we can take this concept alongside our customers.”
Other News from Bosch Rexroth Ltd
Latest news about Conveyors & conveying components
- Interroll’s second plant in Atlanta starts operation
- Less planning effort for material flow solutions
- Three-axis handling with tray recirculation system
- Vertical mounting helps save space
- Three-axis handling with tray recirculation system
- CKF Systems is selected to be part of the Rolling on Interroll programme
- Digital twin proves conveyor concept for coffee producer
- MK delivers belt conveyors for PPE mask production
- Nearly two kilometres of metric pitch conveyor chain is made in record time
- Belt conveyors for all automation needs
- Interroll to deliver crossbelt sorters to Swiss reference customer
- Drum motors make butter conveyor more compact and energy efficient
- Interlinking for canister transport with a bridge
- Maximising efficiency and flexibility in optical testing of airbag diffusers
- Walking the extra mile to upgrade Andrea’s distribution
- High speed transportation for carton forming machine
- Autonomy restored to cast parts production line
- Interroll announces expansion of drum motor platform and conveying solutions
- Conveyor solutions for chilled and deep-freeze environments
- Drum motors rise to cranberry challenge
- ACOPOStrak Independent Shuttle Transport systems UK debut at Drives & Controls 2018
- Curved modular belt conveyor from MK
- Precision flow control for efficient, accurate pneumatic conveying systems
- Compact curve added to Versamove transfer system
- Destacking technology transforms retailer’s apple packing process
- Drum motors withstand clean-in-place processes
- Flexible transport system
- Packed, sealed, sold, sent
- Indexing chain conveyor expands the MK range
- Automated warehouse relies on modular conveyor
- Boost productivity with anti-sloshing
- Intelligent drive is tailored for material handling conveyors
- Pallet system now includes indexing chain conveyor
- Appliance manufacturer turns to MK for accumulating pallet recirculation system
- Efficient material flow for confectionery manufacturer
- Drum motors versus gear motors in food conveyors
- Mitsubishi Electric previews Smart Carriage for linear transfer systems
- Multi-carrier system from Festo and Siemens offers flexibility for Industry 4.0
- Minitec develops and supplies 9 metre conveyor system
- Contactless handling and transport of objects
- Conveyor components at PPMA Total
- Festo highlights Multi-Carrier system at PPMA Total
- Heavy duty linear motor based transport system
- Linear transport technology for conveying and assembly
- Materials handling for the food industry
- Safe, quick and easy transport of products and heavy loads
- The right transfer system is not an ‘off the shelf’ solution
- Rockwell’s iTRAK wins Technical Innovation of the Year Award
- Expanded conveyor range from MK
- Speed controller for gravity roller conveyor
- Interroll’s MSC 50 magnetic speed controller easily handles gravity
- Smart conveying systems optimise tyre manufacturers' material flow
- Modular, compact, versatile pallet transfer
- Overhead conveyor improves productivity for bottling plant
- Improved transport system for heavy duty applications
- Improved transport system for heavy duty applications
- iTrak transport solution from Rockwell Automation
- Applied Automation introduces Carryline conveyors at PPMA
- Controlling back running of inclined conveyors
- Conveyor drives on show at PPMA
- Modular conveyor boosts flexibility
- Synchronising conveyor belts with robots
- Siemens supplies the world's biggest gearless conveyor drive system
- Modular conveyor design boosts efficiency for plastics manufacturer
- Astec supply a further high speed carton conveyor system
- Conveyor technology products for use in refrigeration applications
- Fruit conveyor is space efficient
- Conveyor platform is a modular solution
- Inserts fed accurately to injection moulding machine
- Interroll to manufacture Interroll Portec belt curves in Europe
- Transfer system is both reliable and customisable
- Interroll drives technology saves energy at Hermes Fulfilment
- Reduced design effort and simplified installation
- Tray transfer and handling
- Interroll's modular conveyor platform wins iF Design Award 2015
- Sauber and Interroll extend partnership
- Interroll and Sauber F1 Team extend partnership
- Synchronous drum motor for servo drive applications
- Conveying and sorting in one
- Rubber industry to benefit from Hepco ring track technology
- Modular roller tracks from Elesa
- Hal Leonard chooses Interroll technology at new distribution facility
- Newly developed profile for driving various types of conveyor belts
- Cleaner cooking with steel belts
- Improved quality, increased production
- Keeping the running costs down
- Optimum conveyor drive solutions
- Interroll presents new modular conveyor platform for internal logistics
- Danfoss conveyor solution offers total flexibility in your plant design
- Miniature conveyors
- Modular approach to conveying solutions
- New highly efficient roller conveyor runs smoothly
- New range of clean room smooth ball transfer units
- Villeroy and Boch relies on Interroll
- Interroll brings F1 to LogiMAT
- Material flow study confirms Interroll benefits
- Smooth transfer of transported goods onto downstream conveyors
- Interroll expands to new premises to meet demand
- Light industrial belt conveyor
- Extrusions for materials handling
- An aid to boosting food process efficiency
- Meeting the most challenging of conveyor requirements
- Open the box to simple, cost effective conveying solutions
- Spiral conveyor for high throughput materials
- Circulation conveyor builds on modular profile range
- Cycle chain conveyor from MK
- Modular plastic wide belt conveyor
- Saving energy with conveyor roller drives
- New Lazy Susan rotary table for £1600
- The alternative conveyor
- Pulleys as tough as steel but just half the weight
- Pickchain helps make pick and place tasks more efficient
- Next generation stainless steel conveyors
- A single, endless ribbon of steel will solve problems by itself
- Dust proof conveyors for demanding tasks
- Plastic conveyor chains reduce energy requirements
- Fast turnaround on belt conveyor systems
- Small parts handling reinvented with new internal drive system
- Stainless steel conveyors for the food and pharmaceutical industries
- Modular conveyors
- New range of heavy duty pallet conveyors
- Five times greater flow through gives a productivity boost for delicate parts
- Belts and chains for conveyors
- Compact stopper cylinders for conveyor applications
- Components for conveying
- Flex turn conveyors ideal for delicate parts
- Conveyor fully compatible with machine framing components
- Transfer system handles high loads
- Decentralised drives and automation components
- Drive makes roller conveyors even more efficient
- Powered rollers are big on versatility
- Belt scraper design simplifies maintenance
- More options for your conveyor requirements
- Transport heavy goods easily and quietly
- Hygienic conveying
- Plastic fantastic as a conveying solution
- As flexible as Lego
- Conveyor components added to machine framing range
- Conveyors: repair or refurbish?
- Flexible components build low cost, precision system
- More options for less money
- Is this the last conveyor system you'll ever need?
