Many machines and other items of equipment fitted with conveyor belts or rollers have to control the flow of the parts as they are transported by the conveyor.

Stopping and releasing

The task is to create a temporary obstacle, often located on the conveyor belt, by placing a removable stop in the transport path.

There are various ways of temporarily stopping an element and then releasing it again depending on the cycles or programming of the automation solution.

Three types of energy are often used in these applications: hydraulics, pneumatics and electricity.

Electrical energy has many advantages compared to the other types of energy:

• Reactivity and short response times

• Electrical energy is present in all machines and automated equipment

• Low sound level

• Clean energy

• Very low-maintenance solution that provides energy savings

• Easy to install and assemble

Furthermore, in most applications, it is not necessary to handle high radial forces or provide for impact-damping.

Electromagnets stand out from other electrical technologies due to their very short response times and robust, economical technology.