Inline Conveyor operates overhead to free up floor space.
Press Release Summary:
Overhead In-Line Conveyor is driven by controls that perform variety of functions to track data and regulate product flow. Data is then integrated into customer's network so production can be analyzed and optimized. PLCs help operate system and control cooling speeds. In accordance with FDA specifications, conveyor has powder-coated surfaces, stainless steel chutes, and domed Lexan covers to keep products clean.
Original Press Release:
HAN-TEK Announces Unique In-Line Conveyor System
Turnkey Solution Boosts Product Quality, and Slashes One Customer's Annual Labor Costs by $455,000
(VICTOR, N.Y., Nov 10, 2003) - HAN-TEK, Inc., has developed a unique Overhead In-Line Conveyor system that saves their customer hundreds of thousands annually in labor costs, while streamlining production control and allowing the customer to deliver a superior product.
HAN-TEK has installations of the innovative Overhead In-Line Conveyor system at several plants operated by a leading global PET packaging manufacturer. In one facility alone the system has reduced the labor-costs associated with fork truck operators by 70 percent, a savings of some $455,000 annually.
"Our customer had identified numerous inefficiencies in moving preforms from injection molding to blow molding," said Kristin Leahy, product manager for Integrated Conveyor Systems at HAN-TEK. "By moving preforms directly, rather than filling gaylords, our system greatly reduces product marring and rejects, and eliminates the time, expense and imprecision involved in filling gaylords, cooling preforms, and moving them via fork truck in and out of storage.
The typical user of just one HAN-TEK Overhead In-Line Conveyor system will save $65,000 in fork truck operator costs each year, and the system typically pays for itself in 12 months. "The bottom line," Leahy said, "our customer can now deliver a higher-quality product faster, more consistently, and at reduced cost."
The system saves space in two ways: The In-Line Conveyor operates overhead freeing up factory floor space; and because gaylords are used sparingly, the space needed to store them drops significantly.
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are used to help operate the system and control cooling speeds, which are critical for product consistency in high-quality blow molding. The preforms' prompt arrival at blow molding allows for early detection of defects, permitting timely corrections and reduced waste. Because gaylords are only used as a back-up, the reduced handling minimizes scuffing and lowers the reject rate.
The HAN-TEK Overhead In-Line Conveyor system also features:
o Consistent production and inventory control. HAN-TEK's Overhead In-Line Conveyor system is driven by customized controls that perform a variety of functions which track data and regulate product flow. The data is integrated into the customer's network so production performance can be analyzed and optimized.
o FDA-compliant surfaces. In accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifications for all surfaces that contact food or drink, the HAN-TEK solutions feature approved powder-coated surfaces, stainless-steel chutes, and domed Lexan covers to keep the products clean.
To learn more about HAN-TEK Overhead In-Line Conveyors or other material handling solutions, contact HAN-TEK at 800-836-0237, or Paul Jaynes, Marketing Director at PJaynes@HAN-TEK.com, or visit HAN-TEK.com/solutions_inline.html.
HAN-TEK, Inc., based in Victor, N.Y., customizes advanced automation technology to optimize manufacturing-assembly and product-distribution systems for customers in a variety of industries. Founded in 1961, HAN-TEK specializes in integrated conveyors, overhead cranes, and systems automation and controls.
