TPT November 2017

T E CHNOLOG Y

T E CHNOLOG Y

Tube machining in smaller quantities, with the power of automation

as tubes with powder-coated surfaces, which are very sensitive. The workpieces ranged from relatively short (150mm) to long (up to 3,000mm), and loading was to be automatic. Cutting ring assembly was also required, along with mounting of flanges and production of hose connections. transfluid met the challenge with an automation system in which, after the separation

TRANSFLUID has developed a flexible production cell for complex pipe variants. Prompted by increasing demand, the cell meets expectations for economy and efficiency and allows the sort of production that transfluid has now made possible as part of a current project it is working on. “The most important thing for automation in small quantities is process reliability and the ability to read out data precisely. The key word is Industry 4.0,” explained Stefanie Flaeper, managing director at transfluid. “In addition, there is employee-independent production. And with automated processing, the process has a strong influence on subsequent procedures, such as assembly of component groups. Here, automation offers a good deal of planning certainty.” In the transfluid project, the customer wanted a precisely co-ordinated automation system for processing chromium-VI-free coated tubes, as well

Different processes to be implemented efficiently

© transfluid

some components can be loaded and attached. The tubes are then correctly positioned in a bending machine to be bent followed by controlled unloading. A robot performs the entire process, from separation to each of the individual machines. For tubes used in hydraulic systems, the processing procedure first involves a bending cell that makes the right/left bend on a fully electrical machine. The robot then positions the tube for a die ring assembly. The nut and die ring are automatically loaded, and monitored assembly occurs. The pressure and stroke are monitored and properly documented by the system for tracing. The finished components are placed into various compartments in movable trolleys, and can be taken immediately for further processing. Trolley exchange occurs outside the safety area, so the system continues to produce during unloading. transfluid states that the cell’s overall configuration is efficient and versatile, and shows that automated component production no longer has to involve large quantities. transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH – Germany

process, the workpiece can be placed into a slide conveyor for automatic loading. For powder-coated tubes separate loading is provided, because only small quantities are loaded, in order to prevent surface damage. An integrated transfluid axial forming machine creates geometries or hose connections. On a second forming machine, the flanges necessary for

Automation now pays off, even with small quantities

Email: sales@transfluid.de Website: www.transfluid.de

© transfluid

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NOVEMBER 2017