INDUSTRY FOCUS AUTOMOTIVE
Why ready-to-install cable carriers meet automotive production demands
Werner Eul, product manager, Cable Carrier Systems, KABELSCHLEPP, looks into how
ready-to-install cable carriers can help automotive companies increase their productivity
C
able carrier systems used in automotive manufacturing need to
not only be capable of transporting media such as hoses and lines for coolant, vacuum, compressed air, communication and electricity, but they also have to be robust and reliably support the high cycle frequencies necessary. SAT STERLING specialises in automated filling and test systems in automotive final assembly, with the systems developed, manufactured and seamlessly integrated specifically for each customer. These customised system solutions can be used in all industries where systems have to be specifically and reliably filled with different liquids – such as coolants, brake oils, servo oils, and so on. The company also designs systems for initial fuel filling. For one renowned automotive company,
SAT STERLING developed a special system for automatic coolant filling. These systems allow vehicles on the production line to be supplied with coolant as well as windshield wiper fluid. The systems consist of two modules. The
basic unit, which does not necessarily have to be positioned at the production line, is responsible for temperature-dependent mixing of coolant, before transporting it to the mobile unit. Carsten-Peter Hues, head of production, explained: “This automated mobile unit is located directly at the production line. It moves along with the vehicle to the right or left of the conveyor
belt and fills it with the corresponding fluids while moving. We are talking about a travel length of 12-20m which is covered in 90 to 120 seconds.” Due to these short cycle times, one system can usually only fill every other car – so at least two models are required for each production line and, in most cases, a backup system is ordered too.
TRANSPORTING MEDIA The mobile units usually move along rail systems which are mounted on the ceiling of the production line, at a height of up to 6m. Here, cable carriers from KABELSCHLEPP Metool supply them with power. The cable carriers also cover other cables and hoses for vacuum, compressed air, communication and coolant. “In total, these special cable carriers
can transport up to five media at the same time,” explains Rainer Raschczyk, technical sales representative at KABELSCHLEPP Metool. “We supply the cable carriers as ready-to-install assemblies – including cables, hoses and connectors.” The complete systems are based on type
MC1250 cable carriers, which are robust plastic cable carriers with aluminium stays. In this application, they are used in a gliding arrangement so are equipped with glide shoes. The end customer from the automotive industry made precise specifications for the
The TOTALTRAX concept, as a ready-to-install solution of ideally adapted components, is very popular
cables and connectors, which were implemented accurately by
KABELSCHLEPP Metool. In addition, the hydraulic package was integrated into the TOTALTRAX complete system. Raschczyk added: “A special focus during the development of the system was on a high level of reliability. An availability of 99.9% had to be ensured for the SAT STERLING systems, which naturally also applied to the cable carriers.”
PLUG AND PLAY “From simply configured cable carriers to highly complex systems, we offer assemblies for virtually any area of application, ready for installation,” explained Raschczyk. “Optimised manufacturing processes and on time delivery of the correct high-quality components guarantee fast turnaround times and save time and money, no matter how simple or complex the system is.” Raschczyk goes on to explain that the
SAT STERLING specialises in automated filling and test systems in automotive final assembly, with the systems developed, manufactured and seamlessly integrated specifically for each customer
36 APRIL 2021 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
TOTALTRAX concept, as a ready-to- install solution of ideally adapted components, is very popular – a benefit where companies today need to continuously increase their productivity. The ready-to-install cable carrier systems are delivered to production or to the place of use just-in-time. The user installs the cable carrier system on their machine or system as a complete assembly and attaches the cable and hose connections: ‘plug & play efficiency’.
KABELSCHLEPP Metool
https://tsubaki-kabelschlepp.com
/ DESIGNSOLUTIONS
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