The Challenge

In modern intralogistics systems, conveyor technology is no longer limited to linear transport. Today’s requirements include integrated functions such as precise stopping, rotating, centering, and defined diverting. For example, for position-accurate feeding into labeling and printing processes, inline quality inspection using vision systems, robotic downstream processing, or dynamic distribution across multiple process lines. Different object geometries, variable infeed orientations, and parallel process paths increase the demands on freedom of movement, repeat accuracy, and process stability.

Conventional conveyor architectures address these requirements by adding mechanical stations such as stopper modules, turn tables, diverters, or customer-specific special constructions. Each additional function creates further interfaces, increases mechanical complexity, causes lengthy changeover times, and extends overall system length. This directly impacts engineering effort, integration risks, layout footprint, and overall equipment effectiveness. Process modifications or functional extensions typically require mechanical intervention. A significant disadvantage, especially in brownfield and retrofit scenarios with limited installation space.

The core challenge is to integrate positioning, inspection, and sorting functions directly into the material flow, without additional mechanical assemblies and without increasing system complexity.