SOLIDWORKS Design & Help

Can you simply elevate one end of the conveyor so gravity does all the work?

That was mentioned by others here, but I am very gun shy about letting 4,200 pounds be gravity fed. If someone is at the stop end and gets hit by the tub, it will be bad. Or if someone panics as it starts rolling and try to grab it while it is moving, it would likely result in an injury. I haven't ruled it out completely but it is a last resort.

Thanks for your input!

It could be something where you use a threaded/adjustable lifter, so you're only looking for enough slope to lighten the load.  Ideally, it would still require human assistance.  It's about the cheapest and easiest way to do it, but can be done very scientifically and safely.

You could also put some foot activated stops in line, which would prevent it from running away.  As the person moving the tub passes the gate, they step on a lever to move the stop out of the way.

Your Idea of doing so is very good

but along with that you can add 4 roller support (small size)

2 on both sides of the workpiece so that it would not move in either direction except it would have only on dof

and move in forward direction only as required.

Ok I have had time to work on this idea some more. I decided my previous route would work good but ended it for two reasons. 1. After further investigation, I found that they sometimes put a MUCH shorter pallet of parts on the same roller. My idea would have not worked with that. 2. It was way more complicated than needed. SHOCKINIG NEWS an Engineer over complicated something..... SHOCKER..... LOL!!!!

I revisited the gravity feed idea. I didn't like the idea of just using a foot pedal release that would release the whole weight in one motion (again over 4,000 pounds). I developed a gate system that, as the gates open, the crate or pallet would begin to roll forward under control of the gate. Let me know your thoughts.

That was precisely the conversation I had with one of my co-workers when I mentioned this in passing, with him.  Having the gate would allow you control the speed more accurately, and also allow for varying sizes of containers.

Welcome the club!  Over-Engineering is a hazard of the job!  The other Engineer's Famous last words "It looked good on paper..."

Awesome! I am not the only engineer who over does it.... a little... some.... a lot....

I always tell people "It will work, theoretically"

Rob

LMAO!  As do I.  I believe that's called a "qualifying statement", which is a fancy way of saying CYA, in the event it doesn't quite go as planned :)