LINEAR MOTION FEATURE A working combination With the fourth
industrial revolution flexibility is key, and for machine builders it’s about combining cutting-edge
technologies in a
creative way, as Giles Forster, chairman,
HepcoMotion, explains I
ndustry 4.0 is causing us to rethink workflows, technology and their
automation. As well as bringing significant challenges to production processes, the fourth revolution is also providing opportunities, with companies finding new ways to achieve levels of flexibility that were previously unthinkable. With a key request from customers
being the concept of combining elements of mass production with those of bespoke tailoring, machine builders need to create machines that are flexible while guaranteeing the fastest possible production time with minimal cost.
A DEMONSTRATION The potential for this combination is exhibited in a new demonstration unit which showcases Staubli’s robotic arm (TS2-60), HepcoMotion’s GFX Guidance System and the Beckhoff eXtended Transport System (XTS), all cooperating in one cell which demonstrates the joint potential they offer. Here, Stäubli’s fast and precise robot
interacts with an XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff, which is capable of individual carriage (mover) control and allows asynchronous process steps to be coordinated. With the combination of these two technologies, maximum throughput time can be achieved in a production cell. Hepco’s GFX Guidance for XTS delivers
a durable and accurate guidance system for use in conjunction with Beckhoff’s XTS system. This powerful, reliable
and patterns in order to integrate additional processes, and GFX offers spatial flexibility, making it possible to adapt to what would usually be considered limited working envelopes. The combination of these systems has the potential for productivity optimisation of a manufacturing cell.
THE RIGHT SOLUTION Gefasoft from Germany, a developer of automation systems, has designed
“With the increasing complexity of production cells, the quality of each of the components in a machine is all the more important. Ultimately, the combination of components in a system determines its long term success”
/ DESIGNSOLUTIONS DESIGN SOLUTIONS | FEBRUARY 2019 15
Kliklok ITC, straightens, loads and seals boxes of confectionary
and accurate system, with its simple re-adjustment of carriages, provides the foundation to the system that guarantees smooth and efficient operation in a production unit. Each of the component systems in
the demonstration unit offer flexibility. The TS2-60 allows the manual change of various gripping arms, the XTS system facilitates change in cycle times
Beckhoff’s XTS system and Hepco’s GFX system were selected by Gefasoft
a system for the inspection of automotive diffusers that enables batch sizes to be changed and, if required, additional work steps integrated into the process. This was achieved with the combination of Beckhoff’s XTS system and Hepco’s GFX system. Thanks to the ability to individually
control movers on the XTS, on the fly product changes are possible and additional steps can be included with the modification of software. The HepcoMotion 1-Trak-based GFX system was the perfect companion – it can accommodate higher loads and accelerations with improved life capacity whilst maintaining the positioning accuracy required. In addition, the carriages on the GFX system can easily be adjusted and maintained thanks to a small section of removable track, something of great importance in this system. For Bosch Packaging Technology, the
GFX and XTS systems were the ideal solution for combining three functions in a single machine. The Integrated Topload Cartoner, Kliklok ITC, straightens, loads and seals boxes of confectionary. With the combination of various individual functions in a single machine, it was necessary to maintain flexibility, for example allowing different sizes of carton to be processed. Hepco’s three-bearing GFX mover is a lightweight carriage which offers smoother, quieter and faster movement than could be achieved with conventional guide systems. These examples show the potential for
the combination of different cutting- edge technologies and the ability of systems to be flexible to production changes. With the increasing complexity of production cells, the quality of each of the components in a machine is all the more important. Ultimately, the combination of components in a system determines its long term success.
HepcoMotion
www.hepcomotion.com
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