Special parts needed:
- 57520 - small sprocket (3LU diam)
- 57519 - large sprocket (5LU diam)
- 57518 - chain tread (1.5LU pitch)
These are the new-style links, and require special sprockets. These probably favour discrete conveyor sections.
There's an article here about getting rubber grips for these, although I'm not sure if that's desirable
Special parts needed:
These are the old-style ones, and interface with the 24 and 16 tooth gears. Since these are smaller in radius, they might be less nightmarish to join.
If we decide to attach things to these, we can do so like this (but with chain links in between)
I think the tiles might attach directly to the link. Not sure if tiles (smooth plates) are desirable under the pallets though - low friction, risk of detachment
Special parts needed:
- 3482 - wheel hub (3 every 4 LU)
- 3483 - wheel tyre
- 94925 - 16-tooth gears (already have some?). Reinforced else they'll probably fatigue
We'd probably want quite a lot of these gears for this, with the aim of powering half the wheels from one side, and the other half from the other (the alternative, of using 8-tooth gears, will result in even worse backlash). This might need quite a lot of space around the wheels though, making right angle joins hard
Special parts needed: None
All parts already in kits. These can be a bit reluctant to move smoothly at times, and tend to revert to their squished shape when left
- Each module should be rigid and self-supporting without the addition of the baseplate
- Module interfaces should be identical between modules
- Where possible, the coveyor should not be obscured by motors/sensors
- The resulting system should operate in a similar manner to the existing one
Pros:
- Fewer motors needed for transfer module (3 vs 5)
- Fewer motors needed for feeder module (2 vs 3)
- Pallets grip belt tightly
- Scope for ramped sections of belt
- Pallets can no longer jam against guide rails
- Walls beside pallets are very low, making them more visible
- Possible chain length (3*n + 5 LU) fits 32x32 baseplate exactly
- Simple to construct and protype
Cons:
- Not compatible with existing pallets
- New pallets need to be larger, to use the full width of the belt
- New pallets must be longer, so as to traverse belt joins correctly
- Current implementation uses a lot of 64179, which costs about £1 / part. We may have enough already though.
It was discovered early on that attaching plates to the belt was not a viable option, as they did not attach well, and could easily becomer partially dislodged
Pros:
- Requires minimal changes to current design, as the belt requirements are very similar
- Pallets can be misaligned with discrete sections, and will align themselves on the belt
Cons:
- Pallet is unable to transfer between two back to back belts, and falls in the hole between then
- Wide belt links can become jammed at its sprockets
- Chain needs careful tensioning - spacing of wide links may not be equal
Pros:
- Pallet cannot slip
Cons:
- Pallet can escape via the side of the channel
- Tranfers to the next belt causes jams if the discreet sections do not align
Pros:
- Turntable pivot design allows T junctions to be used bidirectionally (ie, also as splitters) Cons:
- More complex to build, due to large numbers of gears needed
Pros:
- (Theoretically) compatible with existing pallet
Cons:
- More belt joins required
- Pallets get stucj on the transfer between belts
- Interlacing belts to prevent this results in a complex structure to hold the guides in place
- Belts are very rigid, likely to cause non-linear behaviour of the conveyor
