Economical High-Volume Production in a Compact Footprint for Lightweight Workpieces

With the new LS Link Compact precision link conveyor system, WEISS offers a precision link conveyor system for lightweight workpieces that optimally balances precision, dynamics, and economic efficiency.

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Producing high volumes economically without compromising precision and process reliability: with LS Link Compact, WEISS GmbH introduces a new precision link conveyor system for lightweight workpieces. The solution is aimed at machine builders, plant manufacturers, and production companies seeking an alternative between simple conveyor systems and highly precise linear transfer systems.

While conveyor belts and chain conveyors often lack the repeatability required for positioning tasks, conventional linear transfer systems are frequently oversized from both a technical and economic perspective. LS Link Compact closes this gap through a balanced combination of precision, dynamics, and economic efficiency.

Increasing cost and margin pressure is challenging manufacturers to achieve high production volumes at lower unit costs. At the same time, machines need to be developed more quickly, installed on a smaller footprint, and adapted more easily for new product variants. For workpiece transport, this means that the transfer system must provide the required precision and dynamics while avoiding technical or economic overdimensioning of the machine.

LS Link Compact was developed for this specific range of applications. The precision link conveyor system transports workpieces in precisely defined indexing cycles between sequential machining, assembly, inspection, and packaging stations. It closes the gap between basic conveyor solutions and high-precision linear transfer systems, which typically involve higher investment costs. The design for lightweight workpieces of up to 1.5 kg per chain link ensures a needs-based investment, especially in standardized processes with high production volumes.

Technology Aligned with Economic Requirements
The precision link conveyor system achieves a positioning accuracy of ±0.1 mm and indexing times of up to 0.3 seconds. For many assembly and packaging processes, this delivers the required repeatability without requiring users to invest in a higher level of precision that is not necessary for the application.

Track lengths of up to eight meters allow for different machine and system concepts, while the oval design with a 180-degree return section limits the space required. Horizontal or vertical installation additionally facilitates adaptation to existing machine layouts.

The drive system consists of a servo motor combined with a backlash-free precision cycloidal gearbox. This allows feed movements to be flexibly adapted to the process and required cycle time. For operators, this can result in reduced non-productive time and increased output. At the same time, the compact and lightweight design reduces the mechanical integration effort for machine builders.

A precision chain assembly transmits motion to the workpiece carriers. The chain links are manufactured to tolerances below five micrometers and connected using double needle bearings. This design supports permanently stable positioning and reduces maintenance requirements through its low-wear construction.

Positively connected, bolted workpiece carriers help maintain stable positioning even under higher process forces or after a system disturbance. This reduces the effort required for readjustment and supports high system availability.

Reduced Engineering Effort, Faster Commissioning
Users can integrate LS Link Compact either as a mechanical core component into their existing machine architecture or obtain it as a fully prepared system. This enables the concept to accommodate different development, integration, and manufacturing strategies.

While some machine builders integrate LS Link Compact as a mechanical component within their own automation architecture, others can utilize the W.A.S. LS software package. The standardized software functions reduce engineering and commissioning effort while simultaneously facilitating the reuse of machine concepts in subsequent projects.

This supports the development of modular platform strategies, reduces project lead times, and simplifies future adaptations or product changeovers. As a result, machine builders and operators benefit from both technical and economic advantages throughout the entire lifecycle of the machine.

Typical Application Areas
The modular design supports the development of standardized machine platforms. Mechanical and software concepts can be more easily transferred to follow-up projects, reducing project lead times while increasing flexibility for new product variants.

Typical application areas include the automated assembly, inspection, marking, and packaging of lightweight components, for example in:

• Medical technology
• Consumer goods industry
• Electronics manufacturing
• Plastics processing

The system is particularly suitable for stable, repetitive processes where high production volumes are required while maintaining controlled investment and operating costs.

“In many applications, maximum precision is not the decisive factor. Rather, the key is an overall system that is economically aligned with the requirements of the application. With LS Link Compact, we close the gap between simple conveyor systems and highly precise linear transfer systems. Machine builders benefit from reduced engineering effort and reusable machine concepts, while operators benefit from stable processes, short cycle times, and an investment that precisely meets actual requirements.”
Uwe Weiss, CEO and Owner, WEISS GmbH

WEISS provides technical data, configuration options, and information on application-specific system design at weiss-world.com and the LS Link Compact product page.