Call: 905 875-4962

Quick Quote

 

FastTrack Power & Free System Information

Cirrus FastTrack power & free system layout

 

 

 

 

P&F Accumulating Trolleys

Free trolleys, in combination with a load bar, carry product loads. Trolleys are manufactured from steel castings that come with axles, four load bearings and two guide rollers.

 

Lead trolleys are positioned at the front of a load bar in the direction of travel. Pusher dogs, mounted on the conveyor chain, engage behind a lead flipper dog, mounted on the trolley body. A rear flipper dog, located behind the lead flipper dog serves as a hold back to maintain pusher dog engagement when carriers are transitioning a track decline.

 

Trailing or rear trolleys are positioned at the rear of a load bar and share the load with lead trolleys. The configuration of trailing trolleys allow accumulation to take place when subsequent lead trolleys come in contact with the tail on trailing trolleys.

 

P&F Stops

Stop mechanisms are placed throughout a system where loads are required to be stationary - such as in loading and unloading areas and segments of the conveyor where accumulation lines must be terminated. Most stops contain a pneumatic cylinder that controls the throw on a machined blade that serves two roles in stopping a load in transit. The blade provides a hard contact point for a leading trolley to stop against and the blade is shaped in manner that de-dogs (disengages) the lead trolley flipper dog from the chain mounted pusher dog.

 

Stop blade positions (extended or retracted) are monitored by sensors (proximity switches, reed switches or limit switches) to provide feedback to a central control system (typically a PLC). A solenoid valve mounted directly on the stop or remotely, controls the air supply to the stop cylinder.

 

P&F Switches

Track switches provide a means to divert loads from a main line to track spurs. Two types of switches are prevalent in systems.

 

Divert switches also known as unload switches are typically powered by a pneumatic cylinder that trigger a mechanical mechanism that directs a load off the main track onto a spur track.

 

Divert switch positions are monitored by sensors (proximity switches, reed switches or limit switches) to provide feedback to a central control system (typically a PLC). A solenoid valve mounted directly on the switch or remotely, controls the air supply to the switch cylinder.

 

Divert switches can be supplied for manual operation via pull cords.

 

Merge or load switches are triggered by an approaching lead trolley, not requiring any other means of power such as a pneumatic cylinder. Merge switches allow loads to divert from a spur back onto the main conveyor track.

 

Anti-Backups

Anti-backups are attached to the covneyor free rail, providing a secure means in which to prevent loads from rolling backwards. Constructed from a pivoting steel blade, anti-backups allow free trolleys to travel in a forward postion only. Anti-backups are usually located at stop positions and along lengths of track that contain multiple carriers in accumulation.

 

 

 

 

 

System Specifications

 

Free Trolley Load Centers

Using a typical free trolley set (leading and trailing trolley) with load bar, the minimum load bar accumulation centers are approximately 24-inches.

 

Pusher Dog Centers

Pusher dogs are solid cast steel with integral front pendant and loose rear pendant for attaching to the conveyor chain. Pusher dogs can be installed on a minimum of 12-inch centers.

 

Load Capacity

The maximum load that can be suspended from a 2-trolley load bar is 1,000 pounds.

 

Chain Pull

Chain pull is the force required to overcome the rolling resistance of the conveyor chain. The chain pull on a given system is proportional to the individual load weights, load centers, quantity of elevation changes, quantity of horizontal curves and overall environment that the system operates in. An average system chain pull will typically range between 1.5% and 5% of the sum of the moving load. Maximum chain pull for a single caterpillar drive is 750-pounds.

Contact Cirrus for chain pull calculations that relate to your system.

 

Typical System Components

 

Power Rail Components

See our FastTrack Conveyor System page for details on the power components of Cirrus FastTrack Power & Free.

 

Pusher Dogs

Pusher dogs provide the connection between the powered chain and the free rolling trolley / load bar assembly that carries product loads. Pusher dogs are constructed from solid cast steel with integral front pendant and loose rear pendant for attaching to the conveyor chain. The bolted assembly method allows for dog replacement without having to break the conveyor chain.

 

P&F Track

Straight track is comprised of roll formed 3/16" wall enclosed track positioned over a pair of 3-inch channel tracks, all tied together with flame cut track yokes.

 

The overall track dimension, measured from the top of the track yoke to the bottom of the 3-inch channels is 12 -1/2 inches. The overall width including track yoke measures 8 13/16 inches. Track is finish painted beige and is available in 10-foot lengths.

 

Each system will contain at least one chain installation gate which also serves as an inspection port. This straight section of track is open at the top and is protected by a cover that slides on. The overall length of an inspection section is 24-inches.

 

Each system will also contain at least one free trolley installation gate. This gate allows open access to the 3-inch channel track where free trolleys can be installed or removed from the system.

 

P&F Horizontal Track Curves

Horizontal curves are formed from straight enclosed track sections and roll formed 3-inch channel tracks, all tied together with flame cut track yokes. Common radii available include 24, and 36-inch centerline radius. The most common are 24-inch centerline radius. Curves are typically shipped in segments of 30-degree, 45, 90 and 180-degrees.

 

P&F Vertical Track Curves

Vertical track curves are formed from straight enclosed track sections and roll formed 3-inch channel tracks, all tied together with flame cut track yokes. In order to complete a change in elevation, two types of vertical curves are required. A lower vertical curve leads the chain from level to an incline and a top vertical curve takes the chain from an incline back to a horizontal position. Straight track situated between the vertical curves can be added to increase the overall incline or decline of the elevation change.

 

Track elevation changes use tight bite track to ensure that loads can never disengage from the claw dogs. Standard straight track has a drop of 7 -7/16 inches (measured from the bottom of the power track to the bottom of the free track). Tight bite track arranges the power track and free tracks closer together measuring 6-3/8 inches, resulting in no available space for the lead trolley flipper dog to pivot out of the pusher dog. Transition sections of track are used leading into and exiting elevation changes to match the tight bite track drop dimension.

 

Top curves are available with 30-inch chain centerline radius. Bottom vertical curves come with a 30-inch centerline free track radius. Curves are typically shipped in segments of 30-degree, and 45-degrees.