Design and Evaluation of a Novel Conveyor Utilizing a Screw Mechanism to Move Objects With Integrated Racks

Abstract: Intralogistics, or material handling, traditionally use roller or chain conveyors to moveo bjects and goods in factories and warehouses. One negative aspect of the traditional types of conveyors is that they are expensive, as they are comprised of many moving parts. This thesis proposes a novel type of conveyor solution in which a transportation fixture with an integrated open thread slides on L­-shaped profiles and is propelled forward by a screw. A potential obstacle to the usefulness of such a conveyor is that a screw has innately low efficiency due to the mechanics of screws compared to the principle of rolling that is employed in a roller or chain conveyor. This thesis investigates the functionality and efficiency of the proposed conveyor, or more particularly the core functionality, which is the screw and thread mechanism. A test rig was designed and built, in which experiments were carried out. In the experiments, the material, manufacturing technology, and helix angle of the screw and thread, and the speed were varied. The influence on torque, power demand, and efficiency among other parameters were measured and evaluated. Additionally, a method for automatic thread meshing is presented and testing of it was carried out, which showed reliability with and without positional feedback, which gives the conveyor more use cases. It was found that the efficiency of the screw and thread mechanism was higher for screws with a higher lead, steel screws with a diameter of 50 mm exhibited an efficiency of 31% ± 4.5 % with a lead of 32 mm but only 8.7% ± 1.6 % with a lead of 8 mm. 3D printed plastic screws had slightly lower but similar early life efficiency as steel screws, but seized or wore down when tested in an accelerated lifetime experiment. Because a high screw lead is favorable, and because of the size and geometry constraints of such a conveyor (discussed in the conclusion of the report), a direct drive motoris not suitable, and instead a motor and gearbox combination is recommended. The conveyor shows promise as an alternative solution to traditional conveyors in low load applications.