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Power & Free

Chain-driven overhead and floor conveyor technology

Power chain, drive mechanism and running rails

Power & Free systems are chain-driven overhead or floor conveyors in which a continuously running drive train (power train) transports free-running carrier trolleys via drivers known as „dogs“.

For this technology, WinMOD-SIMLINE offers a comprehensive 3D library with parameterisable power chains, running rails and matching components, including for lateral transport. Straight and curved track elements, switches, lifters, junctions, as well as carriers and stoppers are realistically depicted. This allows even complex processes such as the coordination of multiple vehicles, switch controls or congestion behaviour to be simulated in detail.

An industrial room equipped with conveyor belts used to demonstrate the application possibilities of WinMOD in factory automation.
An industrial room equipped with conveyor belts, used to display Power and Free with WinMOD.

Transport trolley and tracking

Unlike vehicles on Electric Monorail Systems, carrier trolleys in power and free systems are non-powered. The WinMOD-SIMLINE 3D carriages realistically simulate this behaviour: they are exclusively coupled, moved and decoupled at defined points by mechanical drivers („dogs“) from the continuously running drive train. At stoppers, the carriages are stopped, buffered or continued independently of each other.

Depending on requirements, these high-performance carriages can also be equipped with lifting, rotating or swivelling units as well as switchable conveyor systems. Transport goods can be picked up and transported dynamically – supported by virtual sensor technology such as light barriers and scanners.

For communication purposes, the trolleys are usually equipped with RFID tags, barcode labels or other data carriers that enable unique identification and tracking.

Further factory automation solutions

Icon for Container Conveying Systems for simulation and virtual commissioning in WinMod.

Container conveyor technology

Sorting and picking systems for small items such as cartons, plastic boxes or other piece goods. Transport is via classic roller conveyors, belt conveyors
as well as the typical cam roller conveyors found here,
Belt curves and accumulation roller conveyors.

Icon for Pallet Conveying Systems in the digital twin for virtual commissioning via WinMod.

Pallet conveyor technology

This area of technology encompasses conveyor systems that transport and sort pallets and mesh boxes. The conveyor elements are large roller and chain conveyors combined with lifting, rotating and shifting tables. Magazines for empty pallets are also typical here.

Icon for an automated high-bay warehouse for virtual commissioning using WinMod simulation.

Automated Warehouses

These systems are usually fully automated high-bay warehouses that are operated by storage and retrieval machines and controlled by distributed automation systems. Warehouse management systems generate the orders for storage and retrieval.

Pick-and-place robot icon for material flow simulation and virtual commissioning with WinMod.

Pick-and-place systems

Automated systems that pick up parts from A to B and place them down again with a defined orientation – typically for loading, sorting, picking or packing. Core systems are industrial robots (Delta, SCARA, 6 axes, Cartesian) or gantry axes.

Robotic arm icon for planning and simulating a virtual commissioning process using WinMod in the digital twin.

robotics

Robotics plays a central role in modern manufacturing by enabling the automation of production processes and increasing efficiency and precision. Robots are used in various areas, such as welding, assembly, painting or packaging products. 

Icon for production lines for analysis and virtual commissioning using WinMod.

production lines

Production lines combine processes, material flow and controls into a production system with guaranteed cycle times and quality. They consist of combinations of assembly, processing and testing stations. In addition, there is transfer technology, buffers and often a highly specialised automation system.

Icon for Electric Monorail Systems for process simulation and virtual commissioning using WinMod.

Electric overhead and floor tracks

Electric Monorail Systems are used as connecting conveyor technology over long distances. The overhead trolleys run fully automatically with integrated electric drives and controls and are usually routed via a central control system.

Power-and-Free conveyor system icon for process simulation in the digital twin for virtual commissioning using WinMod.

Power and Free (P&F)

This chain-driven overhead or floor conveyor technology is powered by continuously running power strands (chains). Transport trolleys are coupled in, transported, decoupled at stoppers and buffered via chain drivers („dogs“).

Icon for Automativ Guided Vehicles for simulation in the digital twin via WinMod.

Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated self-driving vehicles as a connecting material flow solution. Driving is either completely trackless via defined tracks or markers (AGV) or via free navigation with automatic dynamic obstacle avoidance (AMR).

Icon for the maintenance and servicing of machines for virtual commissioning with WinMod.

Mechanical engineering

Engineering discipline for the development, manufacture and maintenance of machines, plants and production systems. Typical applications include machine tools, handling technology, automotive/aerospace, packaging and assembly plants.