exhibition preview: ppma
powerFlex SmartFlow t
By Sam Wade, product manager at FMH Conveyors International
he name Fmh is synonymous with Flexible Conveyors. after all, if you are going to name your company after something, you
better be sure you are the ‘best’ at it, right? Flexible material handling or best Conveyors (as the company was previously known) has been manufacturing and shipping Flexible Conveyors around the world since day one. the company’s Flexible units were the first of their kind and have since gone on to pave the way for an entire industry sector dedicated to their unique functionality. to continue to be successful though, in today’s harsh warehousing environments, you must continue to innovate - allowing the equipment operators to work smarter, not harder. Fmh believes SmartFlow is that next big step. Fmh Flexible Conveyors come in all shapes and
sizes. with virtually infinite options for width, pitch, length, and height, the conveyor can be whatever the operation needs – whenever it needs it. powerFlex units snake parcels through virtually every corner of the warehousing and distribution sector. a firm favourite with the world’s largest eCommerce companies,
powerFlex uses efficient motors to transport goods effortlessly to their destination. powerFlex is also where SmartFlow makes its appearance. it is not unusual to add flow control to a
conveyor (flexible or not). Companies want confidence that their product is being handled with care and precision - damaged goods are no good to them or the end customer. Using optical electronic flow control, powerFlex can transport delicate shipments around warehouses in the knowledge they will be kept in a separated, organised, and efficient flow. this automation can take many forms, precisely tailoring the controls to meet the demands of any material handling situation. the conveyor is constantly assessing whether a product is free to move forward to the next upstream zone or, hold steady if that next zone is full. when zone lengths are matched correctly to the product profile (sizes and shape of the shipments), this flow control allows for maximised productivity and parcel density - all in a carefully managed environment. SmartFlow is an enhancement to Fmh’s already renowned powerFlex15 and powerFlex19 models - the next big step. Using aSi bus wiring, plC control and state-of-the-art controls design, a powerFlex SmartFlow can
deliver multi-mode functionality in one machine. the true multi-tool
Conveyor. a simple positional switch can determine whether your powerFlex operates as a Zlp, build back, electronic package Stop, or even a standard (non-controlled) conveyor. powerFlex SmartFlow can become whatever the operation needs – all at the turn of a switch. although the modes are completely
customisable to suit various applications; out of the box, the conveyor has five pre-set selectable modes. mode 01 - Zlp Singulation release. this mode provides a singulated and controlled flow of products along the conveyor line. once the upstream zone is free, the product will move individually forward. mode 02 – Zlp train release. this mode functions in much the same way, but with a distinct difference when products advance upstream. when the end zone is cleared (the product has been taken off the end of the powerFlex), all the zones release simultaneously. this results in a train release that progresses all zones at once. mode 03 – build back/ Die back. the conveyor initially looks to function as if there is no control present. all products move upstream undisturbed. once one product dwells at the final zone though, the conveyor begins to systematically stop the zones up the length of the conveyor to reach maximum parcel density. once the end zone is cleared, the products progress again. mode 04 – package Stop. the conveyor is in an ‘all run’ mode and operates in a low controlled state. in much the same way as the build back operates, once a product gets to the final zone, the whole conveyor line stops. products do not advance to ‘fill the gaps’ and the conveyor restarts once the product in the final zone is removed. mode 05 – all run. the mode of self-explanation. the all run mode allows the conveyor to bypass its controls functionality and operate as a standard powerFlex unit. this is useful for achieving high, uninterrupted throughput or for larger product handling. SmartFlow means the Flexible
Conveyor can be even more flexible. able to adapt to any material handling requirement, the controls give a new critical resource to the warehousing industry. it gives them options. whether implemented into a large, automated sortation line or simply providing a bulk product flow from inbound to operation, SmartFlow has the tools for the job. For enquiries into powerFlex
SmartFlow, or any of Fmh’s other catalogue products, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the
Don’t work harD, work Smart
40 JUlY/aUGUSt 2021 | FaCtorY&hanDlinGSolUtionS
company’s globally interacting Sales team. Fmh would be delighted to help improve and resolve your material handling requirements.
FMH Conveyors International
FMHConveyors.com T; 01536 206969
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