Pharmaceutical - ZiPLine Conveyor

ZiPline Zero Pressure Accumulation Conveyor consists of a series of belted zones that interact with one another to accomplish zero pressure accumulation. Typical roller accumulation conveyors use pneumatic actuation to engage accumulation, requiring expensive compressed air. ZiPline, however, uses belted zones to drive products using only inexpensive 24 VDC power, which results in operational cost savings over the lifetime of the conveyor.

Additionally, many roller accumulation conveyors consume electricity even when zones are inactive since there is a centralized motor that continuously delivers power. With ZiPline conveyor, only the active zones consume power, which can also reduce the overall operational costs of a facility.

One recent application of our ZiPline family of products was at the Indianapolis Roche Diagnostics distribution facility. The project required accumulation from cold and ambient stations throughout the warehouse, to multiple pack out stations with product verification and tracking along the way.

We were able to utilize many of the related ZiPline products to transport and accumulate multiple sizes and styles of corrugated boxes with weights up to 75 lbs. The layout also included inclines and declines to maximize usable floor space. Other sections of the conveyor system used accumulating spurs and curves in both 90 degree and 30 degree S curves.

We were also able to integrate live roller push over sections at the pack stations as well as automated pop up transfers within live roller zones. Both floor-mounted and ceiling-hung conveyors were installed, and all were controlled via Ethernet from a central controller.

ZiPline was an excellent fit for this application with its extremely quiet 58 db operation, streamlined design, wide variety of zone lengths, and ability to convey products as small as 3” wide by 4” long. Roche chose to install many small zones in high accumulation areas, as well as longer, 10-foot transport zones with dynamic zoning to reduce the number of active motors and controllers. With ZiPline’s rubber belt surface, we were also able to eliminate product jams, even with the wide range of box base sizes.

The ZiPline conveyor system at Roche is currently live and functioning smoothly.