An Alternative to Conventional Conveyor Belt Systems and Material Handling Equipment

MagneMotion provides a variety of solutions for navigating curves, switches, and tight radius turns. The images and video links below demonstrate how the QuickStick LSM System effectively handles turn, switch and curve scenarios in manufacturing and material handling environments. QuickStick LSM Systems can easily integrate with existing factory automation and manufacturing solutions or serve as a new platform for transport and positioning assembly automation systems.

Vehicles or carriers can be transferred quickly from one production line to another production line or return path using QuickStick modules mounted on a high speed transfer shuttle. Carriers drive onto the shuttle which quickly traverse to the desired return path. MagneMotion's node controller communicates with the shuttle to optimize and coordinate shuttle motion based on required carrier movement. Click the image (left) to see a video of the new MagneMover Shuttle system in action. The ability to tightly space consecutive production lines or return paths using the shuttle saves valuable floor space making more room available for additional lines, automation equipment and work cells.

Vehicles can navigate changes in direction and switch points using QuickStick modules mounted on a turntable. MagneMotion’s node controller communicates with the turntable to coordinate vehicle traffic. Click the image (left) to see a demonstration video of a turntable handling multiple vehicles on two pathways. By eliminating the need for many third-party systems, MagneMotion’s integrated turntable systems frees up valuable floor space for automated assembly line production, making more room available for automation equipment and work cells in a cleanroom or other manufacturing environment.

Curves and switch points can also be handled by using a double-bogie vehicle equipped with a magnet array mounted on each bogie. As a vehicle enters a curve, the rear bogie pushes the front of the vehicle around the curve and into position over the next QuickStick module. The vehicle is then pulled out of the curve by the front bogie and continues on its path. The figures below show an opaque pallet attached to two bogies navigating a sharp curve. MagneMotion’s double-bogie vehicle design enables payloads to pass through tight radius turns, reducing the transport system’s “footprint” and freeing up manufacturing floor space.

Figures 1 through 4 show the rear bogie pushing the front bogie from one QuickStick module through the curve and onto the next QuickStick module on the guideway.

Figures 5 through 7 show the front bogie now positioned over the next QuickStick pulling the rear bogie through the curve.

The MagneMover DB-1.0 Series track system is designed for assembly and manufacturing process applications that require accurate, high volume handling of materials and work in process. Electro-magnetic arrays at merge diverge points interact with steel plates on the vehicles, maintaining their trajectory along their configured path. This latest MagneMover design uses small, fast moving vehicles and electro-magnetic switching to provide a highly flexible material transport platform for smaller loads. The system is compatible with MagneMotion’s 100, 500 and 500HT QuickStick™ LSM products. Click the image (left) to see a demonstration video.

The same double-bogie approach can be applied to switches where a mechanically actuated arm diverts a vehicle to a new path. Click on the image (left) to view a demonstration model of two double-bogie vehicles switched to multiple paths on an oval track. The demonstration model shown in this video was developed in cooperation with Shinsung ENG for LCD panel manufacture.