Packaging line mechanical upgrades

[craizem]

Hi all,

First post,
I am in the process of upgrading some mechanical wear points on one of my packaging lines.
First, the machine is a 7115xc Bagger from Thiele Tech. I am looking into getting rid of the Air brake and clutch assembly attached in between motor and gearbox for the carriage assembly. It rides on rails with v-groove rollers. I have had some sales people trying to talk me into just using a normal cylinder to move this carriage (120lbs). I was wanting to use either a rodless cylinder or a servo motor and gearbox without having to use pneumatic brake clutch assembly. I have not dealt with servo technology much but the research I have done says it is very reliable.
The rodless cylinder technlogy is somewhat around in my plant but not used for this fast of an operation.(It would need to travel 24" in one direction stop for a fraction of a second and grab a bag and then return 24" back to home position all within 1.5 to 2 seconds)If I used the servo motor and gearbox I know I have the ability to have the speed but I would still need have a mechanical arm that rotates with gearbox, but no pneumatic B/C assembly. Any body have any suggestions or experiences with either?

 

[MintJulep]

How is the oscillation accomplished now with the brake and clutch arrangement?

You mention a gearbox, but then you later write "mechanical air that rotates with the gearbox", which is somewhat confusing.

Is your "gearbox" perhaps actually a Ferguson, Camco or similar oscillating drive?

Air, heavy loads, high speed and accurate positioning do not all go together well. Trying to do this with air, you will end up slamming the carriage into hard stops, and things will not last long.

 

[craizem]

Actually it is a normal motor c flange with a pneumatic brake clutch assembly attached to the c flange on the motor then the reducer(gearbox) attached to the other end of the B/C assembly. The Gearbox has a shaft running all the way through it that rotates with the clutch engaging and the brake disengaging. Attached to the shaft is an arm that rotates around as the gearbox runs. Attached to the arm by means of a flange bearing is another arm that is attached to the carriage that rides on a rail system. It actually moves about 24 - 28 inches to grab a bag that it then transports back to its home position were it fills the bag.
Air, heavy loads and high speed is definetly the issue. I believe I can get rid of the pneumatic B/C and go to a Servo setup with just motor and gearbox minus the Pneumatic B/C. The salesman was telling me that he thought a cylinder with shock absorbers mounted to cusion the stopping would be just as fast as the current setup/but I am not feeling this suggestion. Even though my only cost would be seal replacements in the cylinder, and shock absorber replacements. I wouldnt have to have an oscillating arm or B/C, or even a motor. I just don't think it could go from position 1 to 2 to 1 fast enough without not using the shock absorbers or cylinder internal cushioning.
Sorry it's so long, Hopefully you understand a little better, it's hard to know what I am saying without actually seeing the equipment.