System linking for ammunition parts

Details MTF Technik Hardy Schürfeld GmbH & Co. KG

Task: Gentle transport of cartridge cases to the production machine

Cartridge cases are to be fed from plastic containers into a bunker and fed to a production machine as needed. The bunker volume is to be 300 liters.

Approximately 250 cartridge cases are processed per minute

The production machine has two vibrating bowls, whose fill levels are monitored by on-site sensors. The feed is to be controlled according to requirements.

After the first production machine, the cartridge cases are to be conveyed to a second machine, but optionally also distributed to buffer containers

The parts must be transported carefully, and no damage to the parts may be visible. Jamming of parts must be reliably prevented.

Interfaces to the two production machines must be processed in the control system

Passageways around the machines must be kept clear for people (shown as a red block in the drawing). Very little space is available.

The highest priority is given to process reliability, i.e., no cores may remain on the belts during a batch change, the presence of the containers must be checked, a container change must be acknowledged, etc.

Solution: Combination of low-noise conveyor belts with distribution switch and multi-rounder

Combination of a GL conveyor belt with a large stainless steel hopper and a PL conveyor belt with attached pneumatic distributor for flow distribution to the vibrating bowls

ZL conveyor belt with a fixed 75° bend following the first production machine with an attached chute for transfer to a rounder. The chute is made of special stainless steel acoustic sheeting for sound insulation with welded cascades to reduce the drop speed.

Rounder with polycarbonate cover for parts routing either into the feed hopper of the second processing machine or for filling the containers

The PL and ZL conveyor belts each feature a highly durable polyester belt (MTF No. 12 tread) with extra-long cleats. The belt is positively guided, allowing for a minimal gap between the guide profile and the cleat edge.

The insides of the guide profiles on the conveyor belts are completely covered with stainless steel. All sheet metal joints are welded and plastered to prevent any joint edges.

Complex control system, made by VIPA (similar to Siemens S7), for controlling the entire system including the interfaces to the production machines

In the steep belt areas of the conveyor belts, a flexible material is placed above the running surface, which prevents the parts from falling back

All conveyor belts are covered from above with polycarbonate

Details MTF Technik Hardy Schürfeld GmbH & Co. KG