90-Degree Turn Conveyor for Touch-Free Case Transfer
A custom touch-free case turner that automatically reorients cartons for smoother flow and safer operation.
Project Summary
Industry Operation
Food & Beverage manufacturer in Columbia, South Carolina
Key Technologies
90 Degree Turn Conveyor: Custom designed, two-strand plastic chain conveyor moving at different speeds to provide a consistent 90-degree turn on the conveyor belt - providing a touch-free transition to a narrower conveyor. CarryLine two-strand plastic chain conveyor.
Success Impact
Flawless 90-degree product rotation without touching the cases or damaging heat-shrink packaging, meeting stringent hygiene requirements.
Custom Conveyor Solution for Precision, Touch-Free Case Turning
Columbia, South Carolina, is home to a diverse manufacturing landscape where operational complexity is the norm. When AEC is involved in a project, we cut through those moving parts to focus on the most critical objective: the seamless, efficient flow of product from Point A to Point B.
A recent challenge for a local food & beverage manufacturer required a custom 90-degree touch-free case turner. We delivered a precision solution that rotates cases reliably without compromising delicate heat-shrink packaging, ensuring high-speed throughput while maintaining total product integrity.
Challenge: A touch-free transfer of cases from a wider conveyor to a narrower conveyor belt.
Corrugated cardboard cases filled with product leave the heat shrink tunnel, still warm, and travel length-wise down a wide conveyor belt. Along the way, the cases need to transfer from a wide belt system to a narrower conveyor belt which required a full 90-degree turn.
The challenge was that 90 degree turn must be made “touch-free” – without using a physical bump or mechanical device that could damage the boxes or catch on the warm heat shrink packaging.
“Finding elegant solutions is something I really love about my job,” said Hester. “It didn’t take long to realize how simple this one could be.”
Solution: Two-Strand Plastic Chain Conveyor delivering a seamless, touch-free process.
Using a custom-built, two-strand plastic chain conveyor by CarryLine, Hester solved this riddle. Set to variable speeds, the two strands moved slightly differently causing the boxes to consistently rotate 90 degrees with precision (see video).
Due to strict hygiene and cleanliness requirements imposed by the Food & Beverage industry, the conveyor itself was all stainless-steel construction. A filler plate was included between the strands to prevent the heat shrink from catching on the edges of the chain as well as low profile UHMW guard rails.
“Smooth and consistent product rotation without mechanically touching the cases and tearing the heat shrink lead to no product damage or marking,” said Hester. “I was pretty pleased and so was the client.”
Result: Flawless 90 degree product rotation.
This precision, touch-free conveyor solution reduced operational risk, ensured product integrity, and met the industry’s stringent hygiene requirements, resulting in improved efficiency without causing damage to cases or their heat-shrink packaging.
90-Degree, Touch-Free Case Turner Conveyor Solution Let’s solve your challenge.
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