RUBBER & PLASTICS
automotive industry, plastic components are a key part of many different industrial applications. Depending upon individual application requirements, plastics can be adapted to suit a wide variety of conditions. Temperature resistance, elasticity and resistance to chemicals are just a few of the attributes, that in many cases, make plastics the optimum solution. Given the diverse nature of plastic components, handling the finished or semi-finished parts requires gripping solutions which can be tailored specifically to the individual component and the material from which it is produced. Schmalz offers a wide variety of vacuum solutions for handling plastics. Specially developed high-temperature-resistant materials allow handling directly from the mould tool, leaving few marks even when workpieces are still hot, whilst a range of extremely compact vacuum generators provide maximum dynamics and process reliability. At the end of the moulding cycle, plastic parts are often still very hot when they are removed from the injection moulding machine. This means that it’s not possible to use conventional suction cups. However, Schmalz suction cups are manufactured from a specially developed HT1 high-temperature-resistant material which is heat-resistant up to 170°C. This makes them
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hanks to the versatility of the diverse selection of materials, plastics are now used in virtually all sectors. Whether for packaging materials, insulation, or for use in the
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THE DIVERSITY OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS
ideal for de-moulding and handling applications within the plastics industry. Suction cups can also often leave invisible
marks on surfaces during handling, which then prevent coatings from adhering properly to the part during subsequent operations. The special suction cup materials used by Schmalz allow workpieces to be coated completely, even after handling. The diversity of components manufactured from plastic mean that in certain cases the components will be delicate, as is the case with thin-walled workpieces. These items require particularly gentle handling to avoid any potential for distortion. Schmalz flat SGPN suction cups operate at a very low volume and incorporate a supporting surface on the bottom to prevent marking and distortion on the workpiece. With limited access a characteristic feature of de-moulding operations, it is often the case that conventional vacuum generators are too large to be mounted directly on the gripper. In these instances, the extended hose length required usually results in increased compressed air consumption. In order to avoid
these losses, Schmalz inline ejectors can be integrated directly into the hose line and used even in the most confined spaces. These examples represent just a few of the plastics sector solutions available from vacuum technology experts Schmalz.
Schmalz UK
www.schmalz.com
20 Spring 2023 UKManufacturing
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