ORDER PICKING
SMALL COMPONENTS MOVE MOUNTAINS
O
perators have lofty requirements for conveyor and sorting systems used in logistics centres or airports: speed and capacity standards are getting more and more demanding, with an additional focus on reliability and minimising downtime. Blickle has a wide range of guide rollers suitable for these applications. Their high quality and outstanding mechanical properties meet even the most stringent requirements. The carrier, express and package delivery (CEP) industry is growing rapidly. According to a study conducted by the German Association of Package and Express Logistics (Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik), more than 3.5 billion shipments were transported in 2018 in Germany - a record high and more than double the number transported in the year 2000. Compared to the previous year, the industry saw an increase of around five per cent in both the number of shipments and revenues. This is largely due to the boom in online shopping, which has sent the number of orders into the stratosphere. Customers nowadays expect their orders to be delivered quickly, with same-day delivery being
a frequent requirement. This is increasing the pressure on CEP service providers and the conveyor and sorting systems used in their sprawling logistics centres.
International airports are facing similar challenges due to a steady increase in both size and passenger numbers. Of course, every passenger still wants their luggage to be delivered quickly and painlessly to the right aeroplane or carousel. This combination of factors is a significant challenge for conveyor and sorting technology and can only be overcome using cutting-edge high-tech systems.
SPECIALISED DOWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL
For this reason, modern conveyor and sorting systems are highly specialised, with even the smallest detail tailored to meet specific requirements. And that begins with choosing the right guide rollers: these small components are used in all conveyor systems to keep things moving as intended - whether that be in a logistics centre, an airport, the manufacturing
24 NOVEMBER 2019 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
industry or a mine. Experts differentiate between two different types: the first are guide wheels, which are attached to components to keep them on track. Contact between wheel and guide is thereby often only brief yet frequent. Running wheels are the other alternative: these take a specific and consistent load over a sustained period. They are frequently found in conveyor belt systems used for luggage or packages. “Every area has a different set of requirements for these castors,” explained Maximilian Hoffmann, product manager at wheels and castor specialist Blickle. “Both load levels and external factors vary significantly depending on the application. The conditions in a baggage sorting facility at an airport are obviously completely different to those at a bulk goods conveying system used for mining.” Castors that are used outdoors have to withstand fluctuating temperatures and extreme weather conditions. If they come into contact with water, chemicals or abrasive materials, they must be resistant. On the other hand, at high speeds, dynamic load capacity is required; in sensitive sectors such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, electrical
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