Smart rail guide is a collaboration between two students in the Development Engineering
program and the company Flexlink. Flexlink is a company stationed in Gothenburg that
manufactures flexible, modular conveyor belts and industrial automation equipment.
Efficiency is important for today's industries, which means that space is optimized, e.g. by
using the same conveyor belt for several different products with different sizes and
transporting products high up in the ceiling. To ensure that the products are secured and don’t
risk falling off the conveyor belts, which is a safety risk both for the staff but also for the
products themselves, railings are used. In the productions where you use the same conveyor
belt for several products, you need to have railings that are adjustable. Flexlink currently
manufactures a rail guide that is used to adjust the railings on the side of the conveyor belts.
The project's goal is to create a new rail guide system that is easy to use, economically
beneficial and more sustainable for the environment. A number of different analyzes were
made to create a product that achieves these goals. A brainstorming was carried out and the
proposals that were developed are ranked with the goals in focus. To make the product easier
to use and economically favorable, it was decided to reduce the number of components.
After all the analyzes and rankings of the concepts that were developed, a solution was
chosen that the group further developed. This solution was developed from a sketch to a CAD
model and then to a physical prototype. The solution consists of a limited number of
components and with materials that are reusable and good for the environment.
For the solution to be implementable, some further development is required, but it is well on
its way.
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