Low Noise Control Algorithm for Multi-lane Conveyors

J. Inst. Brew. 116(4), 421-432, 2010 Over the past few years new rules regarding noise exposure of workers have been enacted. In the brewing and beverage industry, this especially concerns the area of bottling. Bottling plants in most cases exceed the new levels. The transport of glass bottles has long been recognized one of the main sources of noise within a bottling hall. This paper examines a new continuous approach for controlling multi-lane bottle conveyors. In contrast to the nowadays used stepwise control, the filling level is detected continuously. Thus the conveyor speed can be adapted exactly to the situation occurring on the conveyor. This leads to noticeable lower noise emissions of the conveyor, without influencing the buffer and transporting tasks in a negative way. The new control concept may help the beverage industry avoid hearing disorders of workers, without decreasing the efficiency of the plants.