Flexible press automation
Press automation uFlex
Press automation uFlex: Clever combinations of established individual systems
The ultra-flexible press automation uFlex meets your requirements through tailored solutions combining our systems with customized added functions. Front of Line systems with blank carts on the Strothmann RoundTrack system, spreading units, conveyor systems and destacking gantries are just as much part of our portfolio as traversing feeders in different sizes for press loading and unloading. The modular structure of the automation and software makes it possible to implement a wide variety of operating modes and also permits scaling and expansion at a later point. Moreover, the OpenLoop software offers offline programming and 3D simulations to maximize the performance of your ultra-flexible system.
System overview
Front of Line
Press loading and unloading
Our three-axis feeder systems are highly suitable for press loading and unloading processes. The different available sizes permit highly dynamic handling of loads ranging from 40 to 350 kg. Moreover, numerous options, e.g. rotary axes or a combination of multiple feeder modules can be added to the feeders. Extensive interfaces for actuators and sensor systems permit the use of a wide range of toolings and end effectors.
End of Line systems
Strothmann offers innovative solutions for stacking finished parts on pallets and in containers. Based on our area gantries and the integration of shuttle systems, carriages, conveyor units or vision systems, we can develop a customized solution tailored specifically to your End of Line.
Switch cabinet production in fully automatic production environment
Production of switch cabinet doors in a fully automatic production environment. Pick-up of pallets from an AGV, component handling by traversing feeders with additional axes, blank separation and handling via universal toolings, component centring with spray oil application, intelligent software with master computer connection.
Press loading and unloading with traversing feeders 3/040
Feeders with additional axes for workpiece orientation
Chain conveyors with stack pick-up from AGV
Servo motor powered centring station with spray oil application
Universal destacking tooling with air blade for blank separation
Control system communicates with higher-level master computer
Retrofitting a press line in combination with pre-existing automation
Expansion of an existing press line by automation for large workpieces. The customer’s request was to maintain the existing automation and switch between the two automation systems based on the product size. The new automation system operates crosswise in relation to the original throughfeed direction in an extremely compact space.
Press loading and unloading with traversing feeders 3/080 and 3/040
Press line with existing automation – selection of automation system depending on operating mode
Frames for blank stacks and finished parts
Universal tooling for families of parts including blank separation by air blade
Quality check through hole inspection with camera and lighting integrated in the tooling
Flexible line controls: Presses can also be operated independently
Servo press with combined transfer and feeder operation
Automation of a press with two different production modes and throughfeed directions: Transfer mode (downstream equipment) and feeder mode (single stroke). A separate Front of Line area with blank supply on carriages and the RoundTrack system exists for both modes. An additional destacking gantry, a conveyor system and an additional loading feeder exist for the transfer mode. The two main feeders at the front of the press are equipped with suction toolings or gripper rails depending on the production mode and can act individually or be synchronized with joint part handling.
RoundTrack integration: Blank cart with grooved cover plate and spreading magnets
Destacking automation from line gantry 2/040
Loading feeder for the transfer mode: modified 3/080
Feeder 3/200 for loading and unloading in feeder mode and part transport in the downstream linked tool in transfer mode
Additional drive for decoupling the traversing axes for maximized flexibility during press loading and unloading
Combined interface for suction toolings and gripper rails depending on operating mode
Press loading and unloading
3/040 |
3/080 |
3/120 |
3/200 |
|
Load-bearing capacity |
40 – 100 kg |
60 – 200 kg |
120 – 250 kg |
200 – 350 kg |
max. stroke X |
3300 mm |
4700 mm |
4500 mm |
6000 mm |
max. stroke Y |
20000 mm |
20000 mm |
20000 mm |
20000 mm |
max. stroke Z |
1000 mm |
1000 mm |
1100 mm |
1100 mm |
max. speed X |
6 m/s |
6 m/s |
7 m/s |
7 m/s |
max. speed Y |
1.5 m/s (3.5 m/s) |
1.5 m/s (3.5 m/s) |
1.5 m/s (4 m/s) |
1.5 m/s (4 m/s) |
max. speed Z |
1.5 m/s |
1.5 m/s |
1.5 m/s |
1.5 m/s |
max. acceleration X |
15 m/s² |
15 m/s² |
20 m/s² |
13.5 m/s² |
max. acceleration Y |
7.5 m/s² (3.5 m/s²) |
7.5 m/s² (3.5 m/s²) |
7 m/s² (4 m/s²) |
6.5 m/s² (4 m/s²) |
max. acceleration Z |
7.5 m/s² |
7.5 m/s² |
7.5 m/s² |
7.5 m/s² |
Automatic stacking
Example application stacking system for cut blanks
Stacking of cut blanks and flat formed parts downstream of a transfer press. Area gantry based on 2/040 expanded with area axis and additional rotary axis. Position detection by vision system. Deposit on pallets and in containers with up to 22 parts/min during double picking.
4-axis gantry technology for precise pick-up and deposit of workpieces
Carriages on Strothmann RoundTrack system including lifting table
Camera system for position detection
Telescopic and height-adjustable conveyor belt
Lifting gate for manual stacking mode
