MANTISSA SERIES 5000

   

Since 1976, Mantissa has sold, installed and supported Logan Company's Mark 5 and Mark 6 Tilt Tray sorters.  We also developed our own line of Tilt Tray components  named the S-5000 and S-6000.  We still provide spare parts and support for any Logan or Mantissa "Mark" type systems.

S-5000 Spiral Drive (Worm Drive)

The sorter drive system from Mantissa is the Spiral Drive Units.  The drive units engage the vertically inverted cam followers within the flutes of the Spiral Drive screw and provide the forward motion to the carriage and trays. Engineered for smooth, quiet operation, the Spiral Drive unit is connected through poly-chain transmission to the drive shaft of a 10 HP motor.  Controls can be provided for load sharing between the two or more drive units on the same system.

BP3500 Sorter Chain (Chain or Gorilla Chain)

The sorter chain links the carriages of the sortation system together, pulling the carriages along the sorter track.  This process occurs when the drive tooth on the sorter drive engages with the drive block which is attached to the sorter chain.  The sorter chain is then attached to the carriage which actually stiffens the chain making the primary links the strongest section of the sorter chain.  The sorter chain is illustrated below. 

The chain for the sorter is Mantissa Bi-Planar type (BP3500).  The chain is constructed of hardened steel links and precision self-lubricating rod linkages.  It has a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 3500 lbs.  The chain’s rollers consist of high durometer polyurethane molded to a precision ball bearing.  The combination of the precision ball bearing and the polyurethane rollers provide for low friction and quiet operation.  The chain will be used as a tension member only, with its weight supported by the carriages.  Because of the chain’s self lubricating and adjustable components no additional lubrication or external take-up is necessary.

 

Carriages

The carriages consist of wheel-type tray carriages with cast aluminum bodies.  Carriages are fastened to the chain by machine screws complete with lock nuts.  If a carriage is damaged the entire carriage assembly can be replaced by removing two bolts that mount the carriage to the chain.   

Each carriage is equipped with shock absorbing bushings on both sides, to minimize noise and impact during tray tipping.  The carriage wheels are a cast polyurethane tire with bonded-over steel wheel cores.  The tires are 4” diameter x 1”wide.  The wheels have a pressed-in, lubricated-for-life, precision high-speed bearing and are held in the wheels by retaining rings.  Wheels are removable for easy replacement.  The tray carriages are centrally pivoted, so that a rolling action will be accomplished during tipping under all conditions.  The rolling action will be uniform and positive to ensure sliding of the parcels from the tray.  The tilt angle of the trays will be such that no delay due to friction will be encountered.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Trays

Trays will be mounted on the wheel carriages attached to the chain, with the wheels riding on the elevated guide track.  Trays will be configured so that when assembled to the wheel carriages, they are pitched inward toward the opposite side, causing the tire to move towards that side and be positioned by a positive stop.  A positive is also contained at the rear of the tray to facilitate centering of the tire in the tray.  The tray surface is constructed from either wood, fiberglass or ABS.  Trays are designed to be easily removed for maintenance purposes.  

                              TipLoc™ Assemblies

                              The Series 5000 TipLoc Assembly is used to tip the tray as it passes by the destination chute.  The TipLoc consists of a solenoid, a pneumatic cylinder, a tipper lever arm, and a manual activate button assembled in a mounting bracket weldment. 

When a carriage is to be tipped, Destination the sorter control system activates a solenoid to extend the pneumatic cylinder and rotate the tipper lever arm.  As the carriage engages the rotated tipper lever arm, the carriage locking mechanism releases and the tipper lever arm acts as a cam to force the released tray to rotate and release the product.

The TipLoc uses an over-center arrangement that transmits all of the force from the tipper arm into the “moose head”.  The moose head is a patented aluminum shape that clamps the tipper to the track allowing for easy, fast adjustment and replacement, and also transmits the tip forces to the track assembly at the points where the track shape is the strongest.

All control signals are 24 VDC for safety.  An LED is provided indicating that power is available.  A momentary push button allows the TipLoc to be actuated manually for maintenance purposes.  All signals and power are transmitted to the unit via a NEMA rated, quick connect.

The Series 5000 TipLoc Tipper is easily assembled and positioned along the sorter track.  In fact, a TipLoc can be removed and replaced with a 9/16” wrench in less than three minutes.  The over-center mechanism also provides an inherent fail-safe design.  If the computer signal is late in firing the TipLoc, the tipper arm will strike the bottom of the carriage, but since the carriage prevents the arm from raising high enough to “go over-center” the tip cannot take place, and a “late tip” (and a probable mis-sort) is prevented.  If the computer signal is too early or the duration is too short, the actuator lacks enough force to pull the tipper arm back over-center, working against the weight of the carriage and the load.  The TipLoc will stay over-center against the will of the computer and a “lazy tip” (as well as a potential mis-sort) is avoided.

Each TipLoc assembly can be tested by using the manual activate button located beneath each unit to energize the solenoid and observe the tipping action.  

Guide Track

The guide track for the tray carriages and tow chain will be formed from heavy gauge steel.  The track will provide a smooth and continuous horizontal surface upon which the tray carriage wheels will ride.  The guide track turns will have a 6’ to 12' radii to center line of track.  Turns will be designed to retain each tray carriage and tray in a level and stable position while traveling throughout the turn.  Curve guide track sections will be designed and braced to resist the lateral forces caused by chain tension and will be supported to carry the vertical loads.

                              Guide Track Supports

The guide track will be either floor or ceiling supported on tubular steel members, on 10’ -0” centers on the floor or mezzanine.  The guide track will be mounted to a “floating” plate which will ride on pads (rubber impregnated wool) and are guided by steel pins covered with nylon.  This acoustically isolates the track from the support system decreasing the “noise” dramatically.  Operation at approximately 65 decibels (building dependent) has been achieved without sacrificing traditional durability and ease of maintenance.  The sorting machine structure will be braced for rigidity to ensure that it will be capable of absorbing full load starting torque.                             

Tray Straightening Cams

Two tray straightening cams will be provided and installed, in a location to ensure that all trays are straightened and upright prior to entering the induction area.  This can be positioned in either curved or straight sections of track.  The tray straightening cam will be designed for quiet operation.  Width of plastic cam surface will be double standard width for longer life.  

 

Phone: (704) 525-1749  Fax: (704) 525-6129
 616 Pressley Road  Charlotte, NC  28217

[ Home ]      [ About Mantissa ]       [Products ]      [ Clients ]      [ Directions to Mantissa ]

 [ Employment ]      [ Target Markets ]      [ Contact Us ]      [ Downloads ]

 

All materials are copyright ©  2008 Mantissa Corporation. All Rights Reserved.