Precision Indexing Conveyors
Move parts between working positions
Indexing conveyors advance a part and pause it for an operation. Conveyor Technologies offers timing belt and part-holder arrangements for assembly, labeling, marking and inspection.
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Conveyors to explore
AccuMove Conveyors
Timing belt motion for indexing and synchronous movement.
Useful when: Parts move and pause between assembly, labeling or inspection stations.
FlexLoc Conveyors with Convertible Holder System
Guided holders and sub-plates that can be removed without tools for part changeover.
Useful when: Different parts need their own holders for assembly or inspection.
Carousel Indexing Conveyor
Indexed handling for parts carried in a vertical position.
Useful when: Parts need to remain upright as they move between operations.
01 / The application
How timing belt indexing works
Conveyor movement, part holding and station controls work together to present the part where the operation takes place.
Positive belt engagement
Timing belt teeth engage matching pulley grooves. This mechanical engagement transfers drive rotation into belt movement during an index cycle.
Travel, acceleration and dwell
- Accelerate and advance: The conveyor moves through the selected index distance toward the next working station.
- Decelerate and position: The conveyor slows as it approaches the working position.
- Dwell for the operation: The conveyor pauses while the station performs its operation. The motion arrangement controls the length of that pause.
02 / The application
Hold the part through the cycle
The part also has to retain its location and orientation through that cycle. Acceleration, deceleration and stops can shift an unsecured part on the belt. Belt position and part position are distinct, so the holding method, load and controls matter alongside the commanded belt movement.
Fixtures and nests
Fixtures and nests locate a product by capturing features such as edges, flanges or cavities. They travel with the part through the conveyor's working stations, keeping the same locating arrangement with the product between operations.
Removable holders and sub-plates provide changeover options for different parts without replacing the belt. The product's geometry and the way it is loaded and removed guide the holder choice.
Dual belt holders
The Dual Belt Indexing Conveyor uses two timing belts with holders guided along the working length. Holders can be separate or span both belts, providing different support arrangements for the part being carried.
Vacuum holding
Vacuum Conveyors hold lightweight or unstable products against the belt surface. This is a holding approach to explore for thin materials or parts without suitable features for a mechanical fixture. Product surface, contact area and the motion cycle determine whether vacuum holding suits the application.
03 / The application
Motion control approaches
| Approach | How movement is controlled |
|---|---|
| Servo control | Index distance, acceleration and dwell can be programmed and adjusted. Position feedback enables closed-loop correction of the commanded movement. |
| Brushless direct-current drive | Variable-speed movement for a fixed-index application. The selected drive and conveyor arrangement establish how the movement is controlled. |
| Stepper control | Position commands move the motor through steps. Open-loop positioning is one approach; the application determines the need for position verification. |
Changing the index distance or dwell changes how a part is presented to the station. Conveyor Technologies can help select the motion arrangement around the operation, part load and need for different product setups. Product-specific drive compatibility and position verification are addressed together.
04 / The application
Indexing applications
Labeling and marking
Present a part or package to a print head or label station at a defined working position. The label or code has a location relative to the part's features, so both the stopping position and the part's orientation matter.
Inspection
Pause or position products where a camera captures an image. The conveyor's motion and the holding arrangement determine how the part is presented; lighting and camera timing complete the inspection setup. Vision Inspection explains those relationships.
Assembly and robotic handling
Carry parts to stations for component placement, fastening or robotic pickup. A fixture presents the relevant part features to the tooling, while the motion cycle provides the working pause. Automation covers the surrounding control and station connections.
For packaged products moving through print and inspection stations, see Pharmaceutical Packaging & Inspection.
Discuss your positioning task
Tell us what happens to the part at each working station. Conveyor Technologies can help match the conveyor, holder and motion arrangement to the task.
A brief description is enough to start. You can ask for selection help before the index distance, holder design or controls are fully defined.