Reverse Engineer Your Conveyor

Timing, Timing, Timing!

Efficient manufacturing boils down to cohesiveness, and a major component of this is timing. When dealing with container handling solutions, that translates into timing screws.

With the ability to make or break production, it's important that you properly manage every aspect of your timing screws. In this case, knowing their functionality and terminology are a great starting point.

What are they?

Timing screws are perhaps one of the most critical aspects of a packaging line. Without them, your line is pretty much useless. The major function they have is to smoothly transfer containers between packaging machines. They run on rotary equipment and are placed next to a star wheel so that they can accept, separate, accelerate, or discharge containers according to the machine's requirements.

Timing screws can be designed in many different shapes and patterns to accommodate the container they will be handling. But to make sure you're getting one that will work best for you, careful engineering and craftsmanship must be used to get it right.

Terminology

There are a couple different terms that are useful to know when dealing with timing screws. That way when yours is getting designed, you know what elements the designer is referring to.

Pockets and Lands

A pocket is basically the part that the container is nestled into when it's moved along the timing screw. This must be carefully measured and designed so that it fits the container precisely and properly.

The land is the part of the screw that protrudes out and holds the container in place on either side. As the screw spins, the land moves forward, holding and pushing the container with it. The land can vary in size and width depending on the container being handled and the function of the timing screw.

Lead Edge and Following Edge

The lead edge is the edge of the land that is in front of the container, separating it from the container in front of it. The following edge is the edge behind the container that pushes it and keeps it nestled in the pocket (the area between the lead edge and following edge).

Discharge Pitch

The discharge pitch is basically the distance from lead edge to lead edge-or from the front of one pocket to the front of the next pocket.

Root Diameter and Outside Diameter

The root diameter is the diameter of the inside of the screw-the cylinder that the land protrudes from.

The outside diameter includes the land. So, this would be the measurement of the root diameter plus how far out the land protrudes on all sides.

Other Functions

Although the main function of timing screws is to move containers along smoothly from one section to another, new designs and creative engineering has enabled them to do far more than just that.

For instance, timing screws can also be designed to accelerate or decelerate the movement of a container, divide containers, combine them, or even halt them momentarily. But these tasks are only possible if the screw is specially tailored to the shape of the container. So, as was said before, proper measurement and design is crucial.

Editor's Note: Brianna Martin is a writer from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who has been published across the web. She writes about a number of topics, ranging anywhere from tech. trends to manufacturing practices for companies like Morrison Container Handling Solutions who efficiently and effectively design custom container handling systems.

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