Appendix /

Downstream Interlock	ConveyLinx ERSC ✅	ConveyLinx-Ai 24V ✅	ConveyLinx-Ai 48V ✅
	ConveyLinx-ECO ✅	ZPA Mode ✅	PLC I/O Mode ❌

On a newly Auto-Configured linear conveyor without any intervention from external signals, if an item is on the conveyor, it will convey to the last downstream zone and try to continue on.

Whichever side (Left or Right) is on the Downstream Side of the ConveyLinx module will accept a signal on its Interlock Input . When a digital signal is applied to the Interlock Input, the zone will still run its motor to accept an item but it will stop and accumulate when the item reaches its zone sensor. Additionally, the Downstream Side of the ConveyLinx module can provide an Interlock Output that can be connected to the accepting conveyor or machine’s controls to indicate that an item is accumulated at the discharge of the most downstream zone and ready to be conveyed. This combination of downstream Interlock Input and Interlock Output signals can provide a fully functional singulation handshake between most downstream ConveyLinx module and external conveyor/machine controls.

*Please note that the ConveyLinx-ECO module does not have the ability to produce an Interlock Output signal, thus a fully functional singluation handshake between the most downstream ConveyLinx-ECO module and external conveyor/machine controls is not possible without additional sensor(s) or signals connected to the external conveyor / machine controls.

Here is what happens when there is NO Downstream Interlock Input

With no Interlock Input, Carton 1 will convey off the end of the most downstream zone. When the downstream zone’s sensor is clear, if Carton 2 was stopped in its zone, it will start to convey into the most downstream zone. When the most downstream zone’s sensor becomes clear, the Arrival Timer begins timing
When Carton 2 arrives at the most downstream zone’s sensor, it will stop if the Arrival Timer is still timing. Carton 3 will convey into the next downstream zone
When Arrival timer is done, the Arrival Jam timer begins timing. While the Arrival Jam Timer is timing, the most downstream zone will indicate there is an Arrival jam and indicate such with its appropriate LED blinking pattern. While the Arrival Jam is occurring, both Carton 2 and Carton 3 will remain stopped on their respective zone sensors
When the Arrival Jam Timer has expired, Carton 2 will convey off the end of the conveyor and when the most downstream sensor is clear, Carton 3 will convey into the most downstream zone and the cycle will repeat.

*As long as there is NO Interlock Input signal, cartons will continue to discharge at an interval equal to 2X the Jam Timer setting. If no timer settings have been modified from their default values; a carton will convey off the end of the conveyor every 10 seconds.

Downstream Interlock Definition

For powered and controlled (PLC or otherwise) non-ConveyLinx accepting conveyor, the following image depicts a typical interface and the signals required.

Singulated Transfer from Most Downstream ZPA Zone

Because Accepting Conveyor controller has energized its output to the ConveyLinx module’s Interlock Input , this indicated to the ConveyLinx ZPA controls that PEa is blocked. When ConveyLinx ZPA controls conveys Carton 2 to PEx , Zone x will stop and accumulate Carton 2. Because PEx is blocked, ConveyLinx ZPA control also energizes its Interlock Output indicating to the Accepting Conveyor controller that Carton 2 is ready to be discharged.
When the Accepting Conveyor controller determines by its own logic that Carton 1 is ready to be conveyed, it energizes its motor to run. As long as PEa is blocked, the Interlock Input to ConveyLinx ZPA controls remains energized and the Conveylinx ZPA control keeps Zone x from running.
When PEa becomes clear, the Accepting Conveyor controller de-energizes the Interlock Input signaling to the ConveyLinx ZPA controls that it can release Carton 2 from Zone x and run its motor. Note that as long as PEx is blocked, the Interlock Output remains energized
When Carton 2 has cleared PEx , the ConveyLinx ZPA controls will singulate the waiting Carton 3 into Zone x .
When Carton 2 reaches PEa , the Accepting Conveyor controller will energize the Interlock Input indicating to the ConveyLinx ZPA controls to not allow any cartons to discharge from Zone x . If Carton 3 is already in transit into Zone x, the ConveyLinx ZPA controls will stop Zone x when Carton 3 arrives at PEx
As long as the Accepting Conveyor controller continues to energize the Interlock Input , the ConveyLinx ZPA controls continue to hold Carton 3 at PEx . The cycle can be repeated from Step 1.

Here is a timing diagram for the operation

*When the Interlock Input is used on the most Downstream Zone, the cycling off and on of this signal generates an “Arrival” in the ConveyLinx module logic and thus preventing an Arrival Jam. In the above timing chart T MUST be LESS than the Arrival Jam Timer setting to avoid triggering an Arrival Jam.