An extractor unit, chute or separating unit places castings, casting clusters or sprues at a defined position on the conveyor belt.
Conveyor Belts
Used Conveyor Belts for Hot Chamber Die Casting Systems
Hot parts leave the machine.
The material flow must not stop.
Conveyor belts receive castings, sprues and separated material fractions from an automated hot chamber die casting cell. Robust metal hinge or steel hinge plate conveyors are designed for hot parts, repeated transfers and continuous operation in foundry environments.
A controlled route between extraction and the downstream process
The conveyor belt forms the moving connection within hot chamber automation. Infeed, conveying section and discharge must be coordinated with the component position, temperature, machine cycle and next process station.
Belt speed, usable width, side guides and possible cleats ensure that the parts are conveyed through the system without creating a backlog.
At the end of the belt, the parts are transferred in a controlled manner to a container, weight sensing device or downstream processing or sorting station.
Infeed
Inlet height and drop distance
These must match the preceding station and the sensitivity of
the components.
Transport
Belt width and speed
These determine component spacing, throughput and possible
residence time.
Discharge
Outlet height and direction
These must be coordinated with the container, scale or
downstream system.
Schematic representation: The actual configuration depends on the
machine layout, conveyed material, component temperature and
required discharge position.
Why metal hinge conveyors are used for hot die castings
Directly after extraction, the casting and sprue may still contain considerable residual heat. The belt material and all adjacent components must therefore be suitable for the expected temperature and mechanical contact.
Temperature-resistant conveying surface
Metal hinge plates react differently to hot castings than plastic
or rubber belts. The actual component temperature, contact time
and heat transfer to the hinges, guides and supporting structure
remain decisive.
Robust mechanical construction
Sprues, sharp-edged casting clusters and irregular component
geometries can subject the belt to mechanical stress. Plates,
hinges and pins should therefore be inspected for wear,
deformation and damage.
Cleanable construction
Metal chips, release-agent residues and small sprue fragments must
not permanently obstruct belt operation. Accessibility, scrapers
and cleaning options influence the maintenance effort.
Controlled component position
Side guides, cleats or carriers can prevent parts from sliding off
the belt during inclines, changes of direction or irregular
loading.
The conveyor geometry follows the system layout
Different heights frequently exist between the receiving point and discharge. The appropriate conveyor shape therefore depends on the available space and the positions of the connected machines.
Straight
Conveying on one level
A straight conveyor belt is suitable for transfers with similar inlet and outlet heights. The simple routing often improves accessibility, cleaning and maintenance.
Inclined
Overcoming height differences within the cell
The incline angle, component position and friction must be considered on an ascending section. Cleats or structured metal plates may be required to prevent the conveyed material from sliding backwards.
Z-Shape
Low inlet and elevated discharge
Z-shaped conveyor belts connect a low receiving point with a higher discharge position. This design can, for example, receive parts from the machine area and convey them into a container or onto downstream equipment.
Which technical data determine suitability?
A used conveyor belt should be assessed according to its actual installation dimensions and the intended conveyed material. The manufacturer and year of manufacture alone are insufficient for technical assignment.
Conveying surface
Belt width
The usable width must match the dimensions, position and possible
rotation of the castings or casting clusters.
Installation
Overall length and construction height
The inlet, conveying section, incline and outlet must fit within
the available machine layout.
Transfer
Inlet and outlet height
The heights must be coordinated with the extractor unit,
separating unit, weight sensing device, container or downstream
equipment.
Movement
Belt speed
The speed influences spacing, residence time and the number of
parts on the belt and should match the machine cycle.
Conveyed material
Component weight and throughput
Individual weight, number of parts per cycle and maximum material
volume determine the required load capacity and drive power.
Temperature
Thermal load
The expected component temperature must be compatible with the
belt plates, lubrication, bearings, covers and adjacent
components.
Electrical system
Drive and control system
Motor power, gearbox, frequency converter, motor protection and
interfaces must be suitable for the new cell control system.
Transfer points determine whether the parts flow remains reliable
Many faults do not occur on the open conveying section but during loading and discharge. Drop height, direction and speed of the conveyed material should therefore be coordinated particularly carefully.
Loading
Control the impact
The extractor unit or chute should deposit the parts so that they
do not jump over the side guides or strike the belt with
unnecessarily high impact energy. This is particularly relevant
for thin-walled or sensitive castings.
Belt operation
Prevent backlogs
The belt speed and available conveying surface must accommodate
the generated component volume. If parts accumulate back to the
preceding station, the complete machine cycle may be affected.
Discharge
Reach the next station safely
At the end of the belt, parts must enter a container, chute,
weight sensing device or subsequent conveyor in a controlled
manner. Small sprues and differently sized components can follow
different discharge paths.
The conveyed material determines the conveyor design
Not every conveyor transports finished castings exclusively. Depending on the automation concept, complete casting clusters, previously separated parts or sprues may be conveyed.
Casting clusters
The casting, sprue and overflows form irregular contours. The
usable belt width and side guides must provide sufficient space
for changing component positions.
Separated castings
Several individual components may reach the belt simultaneously
after a separating unit. Distribution, contact between parts and
potentially sensitive surfaces must be considered.
Sprues and return material
Sharp-edged or small metal pieces can become trapped in gaps and
transfer points. The belt construction and cleaning concept
should be adapted accordingly.
Mixed material flow
When different fractions are conveyed together, it must be
clarified whether further separation, weight inspection or manual
sorting is planned downstream.
Conveyor belts within hot chamber automation
The belt connects extraction, separation and quality control. Its speed and release signals must therefore be coordinated with the adjacent stations.
Hot Chamber Automation
Overview of material supply, die spraying, extraction, separation,
transport and inspection.
View overview
Extractor Units
The extractor unit defines the loading height, component position
and transfer timing onto the conveyor belt.
View category
Separating Units
Separated castings and sprues can be transferred onward using
different chutes or conveyor belts.
View category
Weight Sensing Devices
The conveyor belt feeds the parts to the weight inspection system
with a suitable sequence and speed.
View category
Conveyor Belt Accessories
Z-shaped steel hinge plate conveyors and components for hot
chamber automation.
View accessories
Technical inspection of a used conveyor belt
In addition to the external dimensions, the belt plates, hinges, guides, drive system and included scope of supply should be documented.
01
Steel hinge plates and connections
Inspect the plates, pins and hinges for deformation, cracks,
excessive play, sharp edges and trapped residues.
02
Chains, deflection points and tensioning system
Chain elongation, sprockets, guides, deflection shafts and the
tensioning range influence smooth and straight belt operation.
03
Motor and gearbox
Document the motor power, gearbox condition, bearing noise,
sealing, couplings and any existing brakes.
04
Frequency converter and speed control
Check whether the speed is adjustable and whether the frequency
converter, parameter sets and operating elements are included.
05
Supporting frame and covers
Inspect the frame, supports, rollers, height adjustment, covers
and side guides for stability and adaptability.
06
Control system and safety
Assess the electrical cabinet, motor protection, emergency stop,
backlog monitoring, protective covers and interfaces to the
complete system.
07
Dismantling and transport
Record the overall dimensions, weight, centre of gravity,
separable sections, lifting points and transport position before
dismantling.
The correct belt speed is determined by the complete process
A faster belt is not automatically more productive. The speed must match the component loading, required spacing, possible cooling time and downstream station.
Too slow
Parts can accumulate, contact one another or create a backlog
extending to the preceding station.
Matched to the process
The parts move with sufficient spacing and reach the
downstream station within the intended cycle.
Too fast
Transfers may become uncontrolled, and parts may enter
containers or inspection stations at excessive speed.
Refurbishment and adaptation
Depending on their condition, used conveyor belts can be mechanically inspected, cleaned, refurbished and adapted to new transfer heights or parts flows.
A conveyor is only suitable when
infeed, transport and discharge operate together.
Mechanical refurbishment
Inspect or replace belt plates, hinges, pins, chains, sprockets,
bearings and deflection components.
Geometry adaptation
Coordinate the supporting frame, inlet, outlet, side guides,
chutes and transfer heights with the new layout.
Drive system and speed
Inspect the motor, gearbox and frequency converter and adapt the
speed range to the new parts flow.
Electrical integration
Integrate start, stop, operating release, fault messages and
safety signals into the hot chamber cell control system.
Buy or sell used conveyor belts
FISS supports the search for a suitable conveyor belt and its technical assignment based on belt width, length, configuration, inlet and outlet height, component temperature, belt speed and existing hot chamber automation. If no suitable used conveyor is currently available online, alternative systems can be sourced through the international network or factory-new solutions may be offered depending on the project.
When selling equipment, FISS supports condition assessment, technical documentation and international marketing of individual conveyor belts and complete automation lines. In addition to brokerage and international marketing, direct purchase by FISS may also be an option depending on the project.
