Help! I need to find the speed of a conveyor to keep consistent gaps

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the required speed of a second conveyor belt to maintain consistent gaps between cartons being transferred from a first conveyor. The context includes the mechanics of the transfer process and the relationship between conveyor speeds and carton spacing.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states the first conveyor operates at 37.5 in/s with a 2 in gap between 5.5 in cartons, and seeks to determine the speed of the second conveyor which requires a minimum gap of 11 in.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the transfer mechanism and potential issues with carton stability during the transfer.
  • A different participant suggests a ratio approach to calculate the speed of the second conveyor, proposing a speed of 82.5 in/s based on the gaps and carton sizes, while cautioning that their input should not be taken as definitive.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the outcome of the calculations, acknowledging the logic of needing a faster speed for increased gaps but questioning the results.
  • A later post reiterates the calculation process, confirming the speed of the second conveyor as 82.5 in/s based on the item spacing and transfer rate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for the second conveyor to operate at a higher speed to achieve the required gaps, but there is uncertainty regarding the calculations and the specific speed needed. Multiple viewpoints on the calculation method and outcomes are present.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the mechanics of the transfer and the neglect of slipping or falling cartons are noted, but not fully resolved. The calculations depend on the definitions of gaps and carton sizes, which may affect the outcomes.

wesman
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the first conveyor is moving at 37.5 in/s with a gap of 2 in between 5.5 in cartons. The second conveyor needs to have a minimum gap of 11 in, how do i find the speed needed for the second conveyor. Please help.
 
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Welcome to PF.

Can you say more about how the cartons are transferred from one conveyor belt to the other? Is it with some sort of pusher mechanism? And how are you going to deal with the slipping/tilting/falling of the cartons being transferred to the faster conveyor belt?
 
there is a lug chain pushing the cartons at a constant speed at the start, they are then pushed into a conveyor belt that holds them on both sides which prevents falling. for this calculation slip can just be neglected. thank you.
 
Caveat: I am butting in where I don't belong because I know nothing about this.

Isn't it a matter of (2+5.5) : (11+5.5) :: 37.5 : ?

That gives a ratio of 2.2:1, giving me a conveyor speed of 82.5in/s.

Don't take my word for it.
 
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the second conveyor needs to have an increased speed to increase the gap between the cartons. i understand that logic however the outcome is what doesn't make sense to me. I could be wrong though so i appreciate your input.
 
wesman said:
the second conveyor needs to have an increased speed to increase the gap between the cartons. i understand that logic however the outcome is what doesn't make sense to me. I could be wrong though so i appreciate your input.
Sorry, I corrected the numbers. (For some reason I read "16.5" instead of "37.5".)
 
wesman said:
the first conveyor is moving at 37.5 in/s with a gap of 2 in between 5.5 in cartons. The second conveyor needs to have a minimum gap of 11 in, how do i find the speed needed for the second conveyor.
First conveyor. 5.5” + 2” = 7.5” between item centres.
37.5” / 7.5” = 5 items per second.
Second conveyor. 5.5” + 11” = 16.5” between item centres.
16.5” * 5 = 82.5” per second.
 
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