Development of a rotation and lifting system for pallet rotary tables

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2022-10, Vol.122 (11-12), p.4321-4339
• Main Authors: Vieira, Jorge Manuel Moreira, Campilho, Raul Duarte Salgueiral Gomes, da Silva, Francisco José Gomes, de Jesús Sánchez-Arce, Isidro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CAE) and Design; Chain conveyors; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Engineering; Fork lift trucks; Handling; Handling equipment; Hoisting; Industrial and Production Engineering; Logistics; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Motion systems; Original Article; Pallets; Raw materials; Rotation; Supply chains; Warehouses
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-022-09881-y

Nowadays, the flow of raw materials and finished products is important for the success of the supply chain. Intra-logistics integrates, optimises, manages and automates the logistics of materials in warehouses, to maximise productivity. Thus, the flow of products needs to be as efficient as possible. Conventional pallet handling equipment is commercially available from specialised manufacturers. However, if a combination of movements such as rotation, transfer and lifting is required, two solutions can be adopted. One possibility consists of arranging several commercial pieces of equipment to complete the task. Another choice is to develop a custom equipment, as no commercial device can perform all tasks with a small footprint. In this work, a fully automatic pallet handling device is designed and validated, using numerical modelling, to serve as a rotation and lifting system for pallets within a commercial warehouse. The device is designed to fit into an existing conveyor system composed of roller and chain conveyor types. Thus, the device compensates for the difference in height between the two conveyor systems, easing the pallet transport using forklifts by rotating them. The device was designed following the customer’s design requirements and incorporates four main systems. After the entire process of designing and defining the device, it was produced, assembled, and installed in the client’s warehouse. The end-product is a fully functional and validated automatic solution for the rotation of pallets where it was possible to facilitate the pallets’ handling through forklifts, simplifying the necessary manoeuvres.