Flexible and efficient component handling
February 1st 2006

Having reviewed several tender proposals, Electrolux selected MCM Conveyors to improve the handling and transportation of cooker components from the press area, through a pretreatment facility, and on to numerous enamelling application unload stations.

The system has been designed to provide flexibility and efficiency with bespoke basket type jigs suspended from load bars, attached to overhead 'Power + Free' trolley sets and conveyed around a series of process/ delivery conveyor circuits to designated un-load stations.

From three loading stations, product is routed from one building to an adjacent unit over a 6m gangway, feeding down to five enamel application booths. Each trolley set carries a common single jig, which is capable of holding a variety of components in differing quantities according to size.

As a norm components are conveyed through a pretreatment plant and dry-off oven for product cleaning, but there is also a number of component classifications that by-pass this stage and feed directly to the enamel application booths.

Working closely with Electrolux, MCM designed an identification and routing system based on the use of 'coded flags' located on the trolley by two captive pegs and read by strategically placed code readers.

The trouble-free system was installed to a strict time scale during a shutdown period to avoid disruption to production.

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