pic: 4242 Preliminary CAD 1

[apm4242]

Originally Posted by Ronnie314

It looks like you will be running chain? Make sure you have a proper way to tension those giant runs. My vote would be to look at putting a tensioning device in the middle of your chain run. You will already be anchoring your carriage so doesn't seem to be too big of a deal, would even look at having it build into how it attaches to your carriage.

Second, I would put a cross support. Doesn't have to be directly on uppers but maybe on the angled back support braces.

Lastly, I love the ramp idea. I would look into seeing how you can stack them quick from the human loader station. Maybe by having a ramp with pistons on bottom that let one slide to floor then it raises up enough to clear first tote and slides the second tote right on top. I know our team will be looking for those robots that can make quick pre stacks.
-Ronnie

Ronnie - Thanks for the input! We have limited experience with chain driven devices. Given the rollers and the carriage track, I'm not sure where we could put a tensioner. However, we might be able to use something like McMaster's Extended-Life Adjustable
Roller Chain Tensioners on our carriage to tenison it. One or both of the lift axles are going to be on adjustable flange bearings on the tslot. Do you think this will be sufficient to tension the chains?

RE the ramp - Right now, this ramp would only be able to make 1-stacks oriented in a consistent way for others to pick up (basically removing the inconsistencies of the chute). Although, one of our original designs was an articulating conveyor that would make quick 2 and 3-stacks from the tote chute but we nixed it because we didn't have a strong way to drive the cantilevered conveyor and grip was an issue.