Development of a scale prototype palletizing automated device

The conveyor belt was a necessary interface between the hopper (feeding mechanism of boxes) and pusher (area in which boxes are ‘bunched’ and moved onto the pallet). For the purposes of the palletiser prototype, this was designed as a simple horizontal conveyor, however in industry many conveyor systems also raise or drop material depending on factory layouts and applications. The conveyor belt was also designed to be the location of the bump turner mechanism.

The conveyor was designed with minimising cost and manufacturing in mind. It was compromised of almost entirely recycled parts. It was also designed with flexibility in mind. For example, the pulleys in which the belt is tensioned were designed to be highly adjustable, meaning any manufacturing errors could be accounted for, ensuring a smooth, straight movement of the belt between the pulleys.

Shown below are pictures documenting progress from an initial conceptual phase to the final build.