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Cirrus X678 Series - System Information

Cirrus X678 covneyor system

 

Vertical Track Curves

Vertical track curves are roll formed from straight track sections. In order to complete a change in elevation, two half vertical track 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.

 

The minimum radius of vertical track curves is proportional to the trolley centres on the chain. Too sharp a radius and the chain will come in contact with the bottom of the track. Like all track curves, the larger the better - in order to reduce chain wear and friction. The most common vertical track curves found in X678 systems is 180-inch centreline radius. Curves are typically shipped in segments of 30 and 45-degree.

 

Take-Ups

Take-ups maintain tension on the conveyor chain and are located down stream of the caterpillar drive in the direction of travel. All systems that contain a chain require a take-up to compensate for chain elongation due to wear and temperature changes.

 

Take-ups require the use of a 180-degree horizontal curve. the curved portion of the take-up may consist of a roller turn or a traction wheel.

 

Take-ups are available at various widths with the 48-inch diameter being the most common. Two of the most common styles of tensioning available are:

  • Coil spring adjustment.
  • Pneumatic cylinder adjustment.

Caterpillar Drives

Caterpillar drives provide the torque required to propel the conveyor chain. A motor and gear reducer turn a drive sprocket which drives the caterpillar chain that meshes with the conveyor chain. Cirrus X678 caterpillar drive chains contain fixed, forged dogs that engage with the conveyor chain. Overload protection is achieved via limit switch that is activated when chain pull becomes excessive, such as when a chain jam occurs. The limit switch signals a cut in power to the drive motor, minimizing the chance of system damage.

 

Two drive sizes are available for Cirrus X678 systems:

  • 3,000 pounds chain pull (fixed speeds 5, 15, 30, 45 & 60 FPM)
  • 6,000 pounds chain pull (fixed speeds 5, 15, 30, 45 & 60 FPM)

Other speeds are also available.

 

Note that variable speeds are possible when caterpillar drives are used in conjunction with a VFD (not included with the basic drive). Ask Cirrus to size your drive to determine the size and motor horsepower required.

 

Chain Lubricators

Continued lubrication of the conveyor chain pins and trolley bearings is required to prevent premature wear and reduce system chain pull. The most common lubricator is track mounted complete with reservoir and disperses a finely metered shot of lubricant aimed precisely at the chain pins and trolley bearings. These lubricators include a programmable controller that can be programmed to control lubricant cycle times and volume.

 

 

 

System Specifications

 

Load Centres

Load carrying trolleys mount to the chain through centre links which are located on 12-inch pitches. Therefore, loads can be carried on any multiple of 12-inch centres, providing trolleys are installed on the same desired load pitch.

 

Load Capacity

The maximum load that can be suspended from a single trolley pair is 400-pounds. Loads of 1200-pounds can be suspended when using a load bar that connects between 2-trolleys.

 

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 centres, 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 2% and 5% of the sum of the moving load. Maximum chain pull for a single caterpillar drive is 6000-pounds.

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

 

Typical System Components

 

Chain & Attachments

Cirrus X678 chain is constructed from forged links and pins that allow for chain assembly without any tools. A pair of outside links capture a centre link, held together by a forged chain pin. The centre and outside links alternate on 6-inch centres.

 

Trolleys consist of 2-individual side arms, each with a bearing. When paired together and inserted in a centre chain link, the trolley pair carries the conveyor chain and may carry a load. In cases were loads are on large centres, intermediate trolleys are still required to carry the conveyor chain.

 

The maximum distance that trolleys can be spaced on a system is proportional to the radius of horizontal and vertical track curves and the length of the caterpillar drive. Ask Cirrus to determine the trolley centres for your specific system layout.

 

A wide range of attachments are available for suspending loads. The most common is the H attachment, consisting of two formed steel plates from which hooks and other attachments can hang. A variety of indexing hooks and swivel rotator bearings are available to allow loads to index at 90-degree intervals or rotate freely.

 

If cleanliness is critical in your operation, sanitary hooks can be attached to the trolleys. These hooks loop around one side of the I-beam track to allow a drip tray to be installed directly under the chain and track.

 

For loads that exceed the 1200-pound per trolley hanging limit, a load bar can be used to distribute the load between two trolleys, raising the limit to 2400-pounds.

 

Track & Accessories

6-Inch I-beam straight track provides a surface for the conveyor trolleys to run upon. Track is finish painted medium blue (other colours available) and is provided in 20-foot lengths. Stainless steel track is also available, providing long life in challenging environments such as parts washers.

 

Oven expansion joints are required in long straight runs of track to compensate for thermal expansion in ovens.

 

Anti-runaway and anti-backup assemblies provide added safety on track elevation changes in the event that a chain breakage takes place.

 

Roller Turn Horizontal Curves

Roller turns are used to guide the chain and trolleys through horizontal track curves. Individual bearings are centred vertically on the chain centreline to guide it through the turn. A steel frame houses the rolled track and roller nest.

 

Roller turns come in a wide range in radii and degree. The most common are 36-inch centreline radius. Curves are typically shipped in segments of 30-degree, 45, 60, 90 and 180-degrees.

 

Traction Wheel Horizontal Curves

Like roller turns, traction wheels are also used to guide the chain and trolleys through horizontal track curves. Traction wheels consist of a single large disc (solid plate or spokes) with a central hub and bearing assembly from which the wheel hangs. A wheel rim is centred vertically on the chain centreline to guide it through the turn. A steel frame houses the rolled track and traction wheel.

 

Traction wheel hubs are available with bearings or bushings depending on the where they will be used. Cure ovens, commonly found in paint finishing systems, operate at temperatures too great for standard bearings. In these circumstances hubs containing a graphite bushing are provided which run on a smooth polished shaft. Traction wheels operating in ambient temperatures use standard bearing type hubs and are lubricated with grease.

 

Traction wheel turns come in a wide range of diameters and degrees. The most common are 72-inch diameter. Curves are typically shipped in segments of 45-degree, 60, 90 and 180-degrees.