Have you seen those big boxes stacked up in a production line that move on their own? Do you wonder who pushes or drives them in a specific direction? If you are scared of some ghostly presence, you need not be! It is just science and no paranormal activity.
There are small ball-like structures present that rotate when a heavy body moves on them underneath the boxes. This entire unit is known as the ball transfer unit as it transfers a box from its manufacturing unit to the dispatch or storing place.
Due to this transfer unit, the industries can work faster and increase their production with less workforce. Are you interested to know how these boxes line up themselves and move in a disciplined manner? Read this article till the end to find it out.
What is a ball transfer unit?
A ball transfer unit consists of a large ball below which they are several small balls. This entire setup is contained within a hemispherical structure that restricts the ball from moving in unwanted directions.
Because of the shape, the friction between the two bodies is reduced that enables the body to keep on the balls of the transfer unit to move forward with speed. As soon as the body is placed, its load tends to rotate the ball. Hence the body is pushed a little bit forward.
While a single ball can move a body to a maximum one-inch distance, the entire unit consisting of several balls makes it possible to transfer the body from one end to the other without any manual support.
The ball transfer units are faster and more efficient than what can be expected from human hands. This efficiency enables the manufacturer to increase the rate of production and also the sales.
Why is a ball transfer unit used, and how does it work?
What makes it suitable for conveyor lines? It is the structure that enables the boxes to move faster and in an aligned direction.
Since the balls are round, the friction is considerably reduced, and so the speed increases. With an increase in speed, the job gets done faster and smoother than what is possible manually.
Due to the reduced friction, when the body’s load falls on the balls, they tend to rotate automatically without any further external force. This automatic operation increases efficiency, and things get done fast without much effort.
The balls maintain an alignment, and the boxes move in the designated direction only. These balls have a multi-directional orientation that makes it effortless to send the boxes in any direction.
The most significant aspect of deploying ball transfer units in large factories is that these units require minimal maintenance because only the set of balls everywhere rotate themselves and keep propelling the objects forward.
Unlike other machines that require regular greasing and oiling, ball transfer units require no oiling to work and hence collect no dirt or grime.
Applications of Ball transfer Units
Ball transfer units find their way in many fields. These applications are listed below for your convenience.
- The most commonly found ball transfer units are in airports. When you go near the conveyor belt to pick up your check-in luggage, underneath the conveyor, this ball transfer unit carries the baggage around.
- You will find this unit in molding devices that mold different metals into a specific shape.
- The windows and doors in your house that can be slid have ball transfer units for smooth operation.
- The hydraulic press machines have these transfer units for effective functioning and comfortable working.
- The automobile racks have to transfer heavy bodies on them. Hence, they have ball transfer units for easy moving.
- The factories that deal with brick, ceramic, sheet metal, and marble use these units.
- Ball transfer units also find their usage in the Aerospace industries.
- The stone and beverage processing industries also use these units to make their job effortless.
Wrapping up
Years ago, every factory had millions of workers working around the entire day to make ends meet. The speed and efficiency were slow, and less production made things worse. After the industrial revolution, everything became mechanized, and machines replaced humans.
While this transition happened, no significant changes were noticed in the efficiency of the factories. It was after the ball transfer units were invented that industrial life became much more comfortable and faster. The production considerably increased along with speed and efficiency.
Not only are the industries benefited from this incredible machine. Other fields also find this device useful and thus count on it for their job getting done.
