Product category:
Automation and assembly systems
News Release from: Hoerbiger-Origa | Subject: Automotive component handling
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 December 2002
Keeping bumpers crash-free on the line
When Nissan Motors wanted to increase throughput by 50% on a bumper handling station, a prime requirement was to avoid product collisions, which could cause damage, scuffing or scratching.
When Nissan Motors wanted to increase throughput by 50 percent on a bumper handling station in its Sunderland plant, a prime requirement was to avoid product collisions, which could cause damage, scuffing or scratching Site engineers realised that they had to redesign the station, but also that they had to minimise disruption to production, accommodate a planned new model, minimise maintenance and maximise availability
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 19 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Mouse-sized pressure control valve is intelligent
Smaller than a computer's mouse, an intelligent proportional pressure control valve uses a piezo chip which functions as a continuously operating 3/2 way pilot control valve.
Clever system keeps conveyor belting on the rolls
A closed-loop tracking device just developed by Hoerbiger-Origa solves the perennial problem of high speed conveyor belting gradually running off its rolls.
Looking for reliability through simplicity of design, they called in automation and handling specialist Hoerbiger-Origa for assistance.
The existing system transferred bumpers from an overhead deliver conveyor to the assembly area via an inclined slide.
It was realised that if throughput was increased, so too were the chances of bumpers colliding and with one another or with the superstructure of the handling system.
Further reading
Three-axis system welds automotive alternators
Consistent precision positioning was the key design requirement when designing an automated machine for the resistance welding of contacts on automotive alternators.
Precision linear indexing ensured success
When developing a new high performance hygienic seal film printing machine, precision linear indexing was recognised as the keyto success.
Wyko to distribute pneumatic control equipment
Wyko Industrial Services is to distribute the Hoerbiger-Origa range of pneumatic control equipment and electric linear drives through its 120+ national branch network.
It was decided to undertake the reengineering in stages, the first being to adapt the slings on the overhead conveyor to carry three instead of two bumpers.
This gave the capacity increase required, but could also run at two bumpers per sling until the rest of the handling system was installed.
Hoerbiger-Origa then provided a complete design and manufacturing service for a vertical transfer and horizontal indexing system.
The core design concept incorporated simplicity, the minimum number of moving parts, maintenance free operation and minimal need for human contact with the bumpers.
The vertical transfer mechanism comprises two of Hoerbiger-Origa's OSP-E belt driven electric actuators, operated in parallel from a single variable speed AC motor.
Before dispatch to Nissan the actuators were fitted in house with Powerslide hardened steel vee roller guides and twin carriages for supporting the cradle carrying each sling and its precious load.
Upon arrival at the assembly station, the cradle is raised above the conveyor to lift the bumpers clear of the sling and then lowered to an intermediate holding station, where they remain until a control signal indicates that the exit station is clear.
The cradle is then fully lowered, depositing the three bumpers onto a horizontal indexing conveyor.
Rails on the belt minimise motion of the bumpers to reduce the chances of damaging contact.
With the bumpers indexed clear, the cradle is raised again by the actuators (running in reverse direction) to the holding station ready for the next delivery cycle.
The conveyor delivers the bumpers to the assembly station operatives who proceed to mount the bumpers on the vehicle.
The cycle time is fifty seconds for the entire operation, allowing Hoerbiger-Origa to profile the speed of the actuators with a slow steady gentle delivery of the bumpers and a faster return to the holding station when there are no bumpers to worry about.
The entire system is controlled by a single PLC (programmable logic controller), which has inputs from a number of photo sensors strategically placed to keep the bumper regularly spaced through the process and to prevent unauthorised operator handling intervention.
In fact four parallel systems have been installed, each colour coded and each safety interlocked to Nissan's strict specification. Request a free brochure from Hoerbiger-Origa ...
• Hoerbiger-Origa: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
