14.02.2011
CSL report upbeat business at IMHX 2010
Reporting on CSL’s attendance at the IMHX 2010, which took place 16-19 November at Birmingham’s NEC, we can confirm that CSL had a good experience and although numbers seemed down on previous years, the quality of the visitors was excellent and they were clearly upbeat about business prospects.   There was much interest shown in the CSL’s stand as it displayed a range of innovative conveying solutions, including the novel spiralveyor that has been successfully used to interface and integrate with other OEM packaging machinery to provide handling and logistic solutions. Images of conveyor systems designed using CSL’s latest state-of-the-art three dimensional visualisation software also attracted visitors to the stand. These exhibits reflected the company’s experience and systems capabilities and generated some very positive enquiries that resulted in appointments. More importantly, CSL can confirm that as a result of attending IMHX, it has successfully tendered and secured important business for 2011.   CSL Director, Steve Graham commented, “We can report that the exhibition proved to be very successful, as many visitors had come to the event with a purpose and were keen to discuss how they could improve efficiencies and productivity. This was borne out by the high level of appointments, quotations and subsequent orders.”

09.11.2010
Conveyor Systems in tune with handling needs
A leading specialist retailer of Music, DVD/Video, Computer Games and Related Products, looked to create shopfloor space within the 40+ high street stores in and around the M25 network, by reviewing delivery proceeds from its Distribution Centre. Working closely the main contractor, a leading manufacturer of labelling systems, CSL was appointed to integrate and interface conveyor systems linking the various operations. Previously, product delivered into high street stores had to go directly into a stockroom to be individually priced before being displayed in store. This obviously meant a commitment of space and was labour intensive. Working closely with the main contractor, CSL designed and installed two lane sortation systems that that could handle single or boxed sets of DVD/CD’s system, integrating and interfacing this with labelling equipment. Product is singulated on twin slat low friction timing belts and datum edged to centralise feed to the labelling position. Once scanned, a security label is adhered to the upper face and a price label fixed from below. A barcode scanner reads and identifies the label that activates one of several high speed pushers to reject product down a chute into a dedicated store bin. Operating at up to 60 units per minute, the barcode tracks and once a bin reaches the required quantity, a blade stop is released to allow a touching bin to move into position with the full bin buffering up. Any none reads or specials are transferred to a collection point at the end of the line for sorting. A spokesperson reported, “Conveyor Systems have worked with us previously and therefore, we knew they were more than capable and had a great deal of expertise and experience in our industry. Working as part of the team they came up with a solution that was both innovative, functional and cost effective. The new system has reduced the need for stockroom space as delivered product can go straight to display. The project was successfully completed on time and within budget.”

03.08.2010
CSL case reject line takes the biscuit
A leading biscuit manufacturer contacted a number of materials handling companies to review and provide a packing line solution to ensure the accuracy of case fulfillment and provide a case reject system prior to automatic sealing. After deliberating on the various alternative concepts presented, the contract was awarded to Conveyor Systems Limited as they presented a cost effective and efficient handling solution that clearly demonstrated an understanding of their requirements. A sweet solution Handling a range of different sized cartons packed with biscuits (240/500mmL x 180/320mmW) and of various weights (1.8kg /10kg.), the new conveying system had to ensure that the cases fulfilled relevant criteria - identifying product and content quantity prior to presenting to a new automatic case sealer. CSL installed two lines of powered roller conveyor, fitted with both twin lineshafts for positive acceleration and stops to singulate the product for presenting to a bar code scanner, which was located just prior to the case sealer. Any case not conforming to the identity barcode specifications are rejected by a pusher transfer on to a side reject lane to be checked. Conveyor Systems Ltd designed, installed and commissioned the system, including building the control panel. Cases that are scanned with the correct barcode continue to the automatic case sealer, which identifies and adjusts itself to the correct dimensions in order to seal the case.  The CSL case reject system was installed to time and within budget, with minimum disruption to the ongoing production lines and has continued to operate with high efficiency and reliability.