Press release PM 2511-EU
Page 2 of 2
Throughput more than doubled
Intelligent transport chain increases productivity by avoiding empty runs
Innovative and more efficient systems are becoming more and more important for machine and plant engineers in the field of automation. The revolving intelligent transport chain made by igus GmbH, Cologne, with its integrated energy, data and media supply offers completely new perspectives for complex pick & place solutions.
The company Hebenstreit Metal Decorating GmbH based in Pleidelsheim near Stuttgart develops and produces innovative printing and coating lines for the global market. In addition to high-speed printing and coating lines, the company also supplies UV dryers and panel transporting equipment.
Hebenstreit received an order for a customized solution from an automotive customer. The aim was to increase the efficiency of a fully automatic linear feeder for the printing line. The target was to increase the quantity processed from 1200 to 3000 per hour. The problem: the work pieces involved are sheets of aluminium made from a special alloy with a highly sensitive surface. For this reason, the machine had to guarantee no scratches whatsoever during fully automatic operation.
“We would not have managed this with a linear movement. At a distance of 700 millimetres, moving backwards and forwards just takes too much time,” says Hubert Winkler. “What does work is a revolving system like the new “pikchain” from igus.” Individual links in the transport chain have been fitted with suction cups for the gentle handling of the sensitive metal sheets. In addition, the individual chain links run on low-wear skids made of the long-life plain bearing polymer iglidur J without additional lubricant. This prevents the aluminium sheets becoming soiled before coating. “I do not know of any comparable solution,” Hubert Winkler explains.
The “pikchain” from igus is the world’s first continual revolving transport chain with an integrated media supply for electric current, water, air and data. Each link of the transport chain can be actuated individually by an interior energy chain. This allows chain links to be equipped with grippers, tools, sensors and cameras or suction cups up to a load of 5 kg per chain link. The continual revolving action of the “pikchain” avoids unprofitable empty runs, because with conventional linear systems, forward and backward runs are usually required. The result: pick & place times are accelerated by up to 30 per cent at a continual speed of 2-3 m/s. The innovative system can be installed horizontally, vertically or sideways and provides travel of up to 30 metres.
Picture PM2511-01: igus GmbH, Cologne
The precision of the pikchain allows even highly sensitive metal sheets to be picked up by means of suction cups and transported at a speed of 2-3 m/s – without any scratches whatsoever!
Picture PM2511-02: igus GmbH, Cologne
The igus pikchain is the centrepiece of a Hebenstreit Metal Decorating GmbH machine. 3000 highly sensitive aluminium sheets are moved per hour with the aid of the pikchain.
Picture PM2511-03: igus GmbH, Cologne
The pikchain even has integrated pneumatic hoses. The chain can be put together from individual pieces like a modular kit, allowing it to be customised for specific production requirements and making it extremely variable.
CONTACT:igus® GmbH
Spicher Str. 1a
D-51147 Köln
Phone +49-22 03 / 96 49-0
Fax +49-22 03 / 96 49-222
www.igus.de / The terms “igus, chainflex, readycable, easychain, e-chain, e-chainsystems, energy chain, energy chain system, flizz, readychain, triflex, twisterchain, invis, drylin, iglidur, igubal, xiros, xirodur, plastics for longer life, manus, vector“ are legally protected trademarks in the Federal Republic of Germany and, where applicable, in some foreign countries.
PRESS CONTACT:
Jörg Landgraf
Corporate Communication
igus GmbH
Spicher Str. 1a
D-51147 Köln
Phone +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 459
Fax +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 631
www.igus.de
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