Accumulation Systems

Saturn Accumulation Systems provide controlled product buffering between production and packaging equipment, helping maintain continuous operation when upstream and downstream machines operate at different speeds or experience temporary stops.

Accumulation can help reduce unnecessary line stoppages, balance production flow and increase overall line efficiency. When downstream equipment stops temporarily, products can be accumulated instead of immediately stopping upstream production. Once the downstream equipment becomes available, stored products are progressively released back into the production flow.

Systems are custom designed according to the product, required accumulation capacity, available floor space, line speed and desired product flow. Saturn can provide several accumulation technologies depending on the application:

Reflow Accumulation Systems use available conveyor surface to temporarily buffer products and automatically reintroduce them into the production flow. They are well suited for bottles, containers and other products capable of controlled mass-flow accumulation.

Serpentine Accumulation Systems create additional conveyor length by routing products through multiple passes within a compact area. This provides increased accumulation time and storage capacity without requiring an equivalent amount of straight-line floor space.

Bi-Directional Accumulation Tables use a wide conveyor surface to accumulate and discharge products as production conditions change. They provide a large buffering area and can be configured around the required infeed and discharge arrangement.

Rotary Accumulation Turntables provide a simple and compact solution for temporary accumulation of bottles, jars, cans, containers and packaged products. Products enter the rotating table, accumulate on its surface and are redirected toward the discharge as downstream capacity becomes available.

Storage Conveyors provide dedicated conveyor length for controlled product buffering. Conveyor speed, zones and product release can be coordinated with upstream and downstream equipment to maintain the required production flow.

Accumulation systems can be designed for bottles, cans, jars, containers, trays, cartons, cases, pouches and other packaged products. Conveyor construction and belt technology can be selected according to the product and environment, including tabletop chain, modular belt, mat-top, roller and other conveyor technologies.

Product sensors, variable-speed drives, PLC controls and communication with upstream and downstream machines can be incorporated to automatically manage accumulation and release according to real-time line conditions.

Saturn Accumulation Systems can be supplied as standalone equipment or engineered as part of a complete conveyor and packaging line integration, including product transfers, merging, diverting, single filing, inspection and downstream packaging equipment.