Multi-Conveyor, Winneconne, Wis., built a stainless-steel constructed plastic belt conveyor designed for accumulating flat or low-in-height product. 

When the downstream process pauses, the accumulation system is activated and receives product from the upstream transport conveyor to allow the upstream machines to empty or to continue their process for a limited time.

The initial decline noser of the upstream conveyor transfers product onto the shuttle accumulation conveyor, which extends to absorb the flow of product even though its belt is not running. Once the downstream is again ready to receive product, the shuttle accumulation conveyor retracts, and its belt is powered on to discharge product off the accumulation conveyor, onto the downstream transport conveyor.

The shuttle accumulation design was made for accumulating mass flow or single-file product by extending and retracting a secondary accumulation conveyor located between transportation conveyors. By extending and retracting, one effectively expands and contracts the conveying surface dynamically, balancing production flow and/or giving the ability to clear out upstream equipment when downstream equipment experiences outages.

The same unit can combine both dynamic accumulation and clear out modes of operation. Different lengths or have multiple levels can be incorporated to increase accumulation values. Other configurations can be provided where a product could accumulate on a retract stroke and not be limited by product height.

Multi-Conveyor
800-236-7960
www.multi-conveyor.com