Calculation model for selecting electric motors on pallet conveyors

At Swisslog there is no up to date model for selecting the electric motors for their conveyor elements. The current model and measurements are about 20 years old and the motors and conveyors have changed in that time. To get a better picture and basis for the selection of the electric motors a calculation model for the torque requirement for different pallet weights was produced in this work. The model was further expanded to involve the calculated overhung load, the root mean square power and the permitted switching frequency for the motors which would also aid in the decision of which motor would fit for each application. To verify the model a number of different tests were completed to measure the actual torque from the motor when the conveyors were in use. The model and the testing results had a reasonable resemblance. From the calculations an excel document was also developed which used the calcualtions as a basis to give a selection of motors that can function at a number of different pallet weights and conveyors. The excel document implements all of the calculations from the models to enable a simple choice of motor for the specific conveyor element for the designer at Swisslog.