Diverts, Merges & Gates

Pack Air specializes in the design, manufacture, and programming of Laner devices that we typically refer to as Diverts and Merges.  These type of devices are also commonly known in the conveying industry as Laners, Sorters, Balancers, and Static Gates.  Regardless of the name they all serve the function of diverting product from one lane to another.

A common use of Diverters is to split product flow into two or more lanes to feed multiple machines performing the same process, such as Fillers or Wrappers, which cannot accommodate the full line rate by themselves.  Another common use is to split product flow into two or more lanes to feed several different machines in a process, such as one Wrapper and one Bundler.  Merges perform similar functions but typically recombine product flow from multiple slower machines to feed a faster machine at the next process downstream.  When line balancing is required a Balancer can Divert and Merge in the same unit.

Production line efficiency can be dramatically improved by distributing and balancing products between processes.  Diverts and Merges can be programmed to feed different percentages, or counts, of product to a primary machine and the remainder to a secondary machine, such as 60%/40%, depending on the rate capabilities of each machine.  Programming will also account for conditions such as one machine stopping and 100% of the product flow needing to be fed to the other machine, balancing multiple lines, or numerous other upstream and downstream conditions.

There are many different styles of Diverts and Merges for all types of different applications.  Horizontal Diverts and Merges typically use Paddles, Rails and Gates to divert product whereas Vertical Diverts actuate the conveyor bed from one elevation to another to make the switch.

Diverts and Merges may be activated in a number of different ways including: Manually Actuated “Pin-in-Place” Static Gates, Manual Pneumatic “Either/Or” Gates, Passive Gates (products push a gate open on a merge), or Dynamic Gates driven by either Pneumatic Cylinder, Linear Motor, or Servo Driven Actuator.  Some Dynamic Gates shift by creating a gap between products with the use of integrated Meter Belt (aka Choke Belt) Assemblies, while others are capable of shifting “On-the-Fly”.

Most of our Diverts and Merges are built into a heavy duty Steel Tube Frame that acts as the support for the Divert and Conveyor, and also contains the Guarding, Guard Doors for operator access, and Controls which all minimize installation and startup at your facility.  With so many different options available, trust Pack Airs Sales and Applications Team to guide you to the right solution for your specific application.

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