For one particular packaging operation, twin heads of the baggers were set for a simultaneous release, on conveyors that traveled up inclines and through curves. The system maintained bag registration while calculating "speed to length ratios" necessary for proper product stagger at the merge. Even if the system stopped and started again, the bagged product remains in position for a successful 2 to 1 combine.
A powered side rail was used to maintain the position of the bags in the lane that was being plowed across the merge belt and into the gap between the bags in the lane that traveled straight through the merge. This solution reduced the overall cost of the system.
Also incorporated in the system: urethane belt transfers at the bagger discharges to allow loose product to fall through; high friction side flexing transport conveyors; bag settling conveyors with modular belting over powered square shafts; and case settling conveyors on revolving square shafts.
A complete control system with line control devices, control panel, variable frequency drives, PanelView Plus operator interface, and system logic were key to the solution, and helped effectively deliver the merged product to downstream operations.
