Direction Changer

Designed to lift and reposition goods, direction changers minimize material congestion, improve system throughput, and offer gentle handling of delicate or fragile products. Industries that require precise and safe transport, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, food production, and automotive manufacturing, benefit significantly from these smart material handling solutions. By integrating direction changers into a conveyor network, businesses can streamline their workflows, reduce downtime, and optimize overall productivity.

A direction changer is essential in space-constrained environments where direct conveyor paths are not feasible. Traditional straight-line conveyor systems may be inefficient or impractical, particularly in facilities requiring multi-directional transport or where separate processing zones need to be linked. By incorporating a direction-changing solution, businesses can:

• Enhance Workflow Efficiency – Maintain a steady and controlled material flow even in high-throughput environments.

• Optimize Space Utilization – Allow for compact, right-angled layouts without sacrificing system capacity.

• Prevent Product Damage – Minimize friction and impact, ensuring delicate goods remain undamaged during transit.

• Enable Smart Automation – Improve operational accuracy with sensor-driven motion control.

• Reduce Labor Costs – Automate product transfers, minimizing manual intervention.
  
  

In today’s competitive manufacturing and logistics industries, efficient material handling is critical. TEGEL-TECHNIK’s direction changers provide custom-built solutions to ensure maximum productivity across various industrial sectors.

TEGEL-TECHNIK provides a diverse selection of direction-changing conveyors, tailored for different industries and product types. Similar to turntables, transfer carts, and vertical lifts, these systems can be integrated with various conveyor components, such as roller conveyors, chain conveyors, belt conveyors, to suit specific applications. Our portfolio includes:

• Roller Transfer Units – Designed for low-friction handling of boxes, totes, and lightweight components.

• Chain Transfer Units – Ideal for heavy-duty loads such as pallets, industrial equipment, and steel frames.

• Belt Transfer Systems – Ensure smooth, vibration-free transport for fragile products and soft-bottomed goods.

• Toothed Belt Direction Changers – Deliver precise, controlled positioning, minimizing vibrations and slippage.
  
  

Each of these systems is highly customizable, allowing for adjustments in speed, load capacity, lifting height, and operational features. Whether for automated sorting, product realignment, or space-optimized material flow, our solutions are engineered to meet your exact operational requirements.

The functionality of a direction changer relies on a combination of lifting mechanisms and conveyor integration. These units use a secondary conveyor system that moves vertically between the existing conveyor rollers or belts, lifting the product and smoothly transferring it at a 90-degree angle. The process can be adjusted for continuous operation or intermittent movement, depending on workflow demands.

• High-Speed Sorting – Belt and roller transfers ensure quick and seamless redirection in sorting centers and distribution hubs.

• Heavy-Duty Handling – Chain-driven and toothed belt units offer stability and strength for industrial applications.

• Gentle Handling Solutions – Low-pressure roller and vacuum-assisted units minimize impact, protecting delicate materials.
  
  

By selecting the appropriate transfer type, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure smooth workflow integration.

Direction changers play an integral role in modern automation and material handling. Industries that rely on efficient re-routing of goods include:

• Intralogistics – Direction changers play a crucial role in storage and order picking systems, ensuring an efficient and streamlined distribution of goods within warehouses and logistics centers.

• Production – In manufacturing environments, workpieces are seamlessly transferred between different processing stations with the help of direction changers. These units are particularly beneficial in white goods production, where they assist in feeding robotic stations and other automated processing systems.
  One example of gentle product transport is lifting transfer units with toothed belts: We implemented these requirements for a customer for the transport of dishwasher inner containers.

• Gentle Product Transport – When handling fragile materials, specialized direction changers equipped with toothed belts ensure smooth and damage-free movement. For instance, we implemented a customized solution for transporting dishwasher inner containers, meeting the highest standards of precision and care.

• Assembly – Within assembly lines, ergonomic and efficient component feeding is essential. Direction changers optimize the workflow by facilitating a seamless transition of parts to assembly stations, reducing manual handling and improving workplace efficiency.

• Packaging – In palletizing systems, direction changers are frequently utilized for the precise and efficient transport of packaged goods. One of our projects involved a heavy-duty pallet handling system, where heavy Euro pallets were directed to a robotic filling station using a carrier chain conveyor, also referred to as a chain lift transfer unit.

• Recycling – In waste management and recycling facilities, direction changers are integrated into sorting systems, streamlining the process of separating and transporting recyclable materials.

• Heavy Load Handling – Direction changers are engineered to move even the heaviest goods effortlessly. In one of our customer projects, we developed a customized carrying chain conveyor system designed for feeding heavy load carriers into a robotic workstation. The direction changers were integrated with driven roller conveyors, ensuring stable and precise load handling. This specific configuration is also known as a roller lift transfer unit.
  
  

Whether for high-speed sorting, delicate product handling, or heavy-duty industrial processing, TEGEL-TECHNIK’s direction changers are engineered to meet industry-specific challenges.

Each production facility presents unique challenges, and standardized solutions may not always be effective. That’s why TEGEL-TECHNIK specializes in tailor-made direction changers, developed to suit the precise requirements of different industries.

• Custom Speed & Load Capacities – Designed for small, fragile goods or high-capacity industrial loads.

• Industry-Specific Coatings & Surfaces – Protect delicate materials from scratches, slippage, or contamination.

• Seamless Automation Integration – Compatible with PLC-controlled, sensor-driven, and AI-assisted logistics systems.

• Flexible Layouts & Modular Designs – Ensures scalability and easy integration into future expansions.
  
  

Our engineering expertise allows us to develop high-performance, energy-efficient, and fully automated conveyor solutions that enhance material flow, maximize throughput, and reduce operational costs.