Q: What criteria determine the selection of material flow systems?

The selection of material flow systems starts with workpiece weight, geometry and center of gravity. Direct transport on plastic or steel chain is suitable for small parts up to 15 kg, while workpiece carriers up to 200 kg are required for heavy components. This is followed by the process requirements. Cycle operation, buffering and defined transfers require stopping and separation, pushers or robot stations. The required speed is also relevant when selecting the material flow systems; up to 12 m per minute is possible with the MS7000. The structure of the system also influences the choice of material flow systems. Our modular conveyor systems can be adapted to new stations and layouts. With high loads, an adjustable friction coefficient adjustment increases entrainment safety and reduces wear on the chain and carrier elements. Structured material flow management facilitates ongoing operation, simplifies maintenance processes and enables subsequent system expansions.

Question 1

What are material flow systems in production?

Accepted Answer

Material flow systems are complete technical solutions for moving, buffering, separating, transferring and timing workpieces between processing, assembly, testing and packaging. We implement material flow systems as star conveyors with conveyor lines, pallets and workpiece carriers as well as parts transport directly on the chain.

Depending on the application, material flow systems supplement stop and separation, pusher or pusher-over, coding and identification as well as fixing and positioning stations. In the Star Conveyor MS7000, material flow systems transport workpieces from 0 to 15 kg on plastic or steel chains at speeds of up to 12 m per minute. For higher loads, material flow systems move up to 200 kg per workpiece carrier. Precise material flow planning, coordinated material flow control and resilient conveyor sections in conveyor systems with reproducible transitions between the process stations are crucial.

Question 2

What types of material flow do material flow systems support?

Accepted Answer

In production, material flow systems support material flow types such as continuous line flow, intermittent pallet flow and sequential single piece flow. In continuous material flow, workpieces run directly on the chain at a constant feed rate. With cycle-synchronized material flow , components are transferred from station to station on workpiece carriers, for example in assembly or processing. In addition, material flow systems implement buffered material flow with stop and separation to decouple individual process steps.

We develop material flow systems as star conveyors for transporting parts directly on the plastic chain or steel chain at speeds of up to 12 m per minute. Adjustable side guides facilitate changeover to different diameters, especially for short series.

Question 3

How do material flow systems optimize internal material flows?

Accepted Answer

Material flow systems optimize internal material flows by mapping transport, buffering, separation and transfer between processing, assembly and testing in a technically stable manner. We use material flow systems as Star Conveyors and thus reduce handling steps and intermediate storage.

Stopping and separating stabilize the infeed, buffers decouple cycle times, pushers and transfer pushers ensure precise transfers, robotic stations support automated removal and feeding. Adjustable friction values improve force transmission on workpiece carriers weighing up to 200 kg, while hardened components and optimized load distribution increase service life. Modular layout structures enable quick adjustments when changing products.

Question 4

What criteria determine the selection of material flow systems?

Accepted Answer

The selection of material flow systems starts with workpiece weight, geometry and center of gravity. Direct transport on plastic or steel chain is suitable for small parts up to 15 kg, while workpiece carriers up to 200 kg are required for heavy components. This is followed by the process requirements. Cycle operation, buffering and defined transfers require stopping and separation, pushers or robot stations. The required speed is also relevant when selecting the material flow systems; up to 12 m per minute is possible with the MS7000.

The structure of the system also influences the choice of material flow systems. Our modular conveyor systems can be adapted to new stations and layouts. With high loads, an adjustable friction coefficient adjustment increases entrainment safety and reduces wear on the chain and carrier elements. Structured material flow management facilitates ongoing operation, simplifies maintenance processes and enables subsequent system expansions.

Question 5

What types of chains do industrial material flow systems use?

Accepted Answer

Industrial material flow systems use plastic chains and steel chains depending on the task. Our material flow systems are realized as Star Conveyor systems. The chain type is determined according to workpiece weight, ambient conditions and process requirements. With the Star Conveyor MS7000 , the workpiece transport runs directly on plastic or steel chain and reaches up to 12 m per minute at 0 to 15 kg. Plastic chains are used in workpiece carriers and pallet systems such as the Star Conveyor PS930 and Star Conveyor CS930 . Plastic chains are used when smooth running and low noise levels are required. Steel chains are used for increased mechanical stress. The service life, cleanability and system stability of the conveyor systems are decisive for the design and procurement.

Material flow systems