Magnetic levitation on the shop floor

A global food major uses ICT-based tracks for packaging a variety of its products at a factory in western India. Frictionless propulsion makes it 30 per cent faster than traditional conveyor systems

The technology of magnetic levitation has been used for decades in transportation. Maglev trains worked on the principle of magnetic forces repelling each other. Now, this technology is making waves on the shop floor and other industrial practices across the world. 

Independent cart technology (ICT) is based on magnetic levitation and is being increasingly adopted in various sectors. ICT is replacing traditional conveyor belts with maglev-based tracks. Pucks or holders of various sizes can be placed on the tracks. These pucks or carts can hold a payload weighing a few grams or many kilos. The pucks carrying the payload or a