Mechanical Technology June 2016

⎪ Automation, mechatronics and electro-mechanical systems ⎪

Stefanie Flaeper, managing director at transfluid, talks about the company’s sophisticated technology concepts for automating and inter-linking tube bending, separation, cleaning and tube forming processes. Flexible production cells for smart tube processing

expansions such as marking facilities, seam detection devices, printers, tight- ness tests or visual, contact-free camera systems for inspecting geometries or surfaces, brazing and welding units and auto-frettage as optional components. Ef- fective loading systems, storage systems, supply of the workpieces or complete handling by a robot or in linear systems can be added as well. “We coordinate the solution specifically to the customer’s requirements, including generation of the layout to achieve optimised material flow and best utilisation,” explains Flaeper. Selection of handling options also fo- cuses on highest possible efficiency. The devices used strongly depend on the parts to be produced. Flaeper presents a general principle: “Everything that can be done to the tube in the straight condition considerably reduces the handling effort. From the bending machine onwards, the robot usually takes over. Linear handling can often be faster, more cost-efficient and easier to reach.” For smooth production flow, transfluid develops its production systems to permit loading of isometric data online from a Highly flexible linear systems or robots?

P recisely produced tubes help make energy and water flow or medical devices support the life-saving work of doc- tors. Robust, short hose connections for automotive construction or long, multiply-processed tubes, those used as air conditioning lines, for example, also have many different requirements before they can be used in the production environment. Depending on the industry and appli- cation area, these tubes first need to be specifically formed, bent, and diversely processed. The networked ‘T-motion’ automation systems by transfluid cre- ate combined options for large series operation. This not only leads to higher produc- tion capacities but also ensures process

safety and that parts are always produced to the same high levels of quality. “We use our sophisticated technology concepts for tube bending, separation, cleaning and tube forming for the auto- mation systems, supplementing them, for example, with loading systems, weld seam control or complete handling,” says Stefanie Flaeper, managing director at transfluid. “With the easy-to-operate production cell coordinated in this man- ner, production can start right away. The principle is one of ‘plug-and-produce’. Our customers place value on this and trust our decades of experience and in our progressive high-tech solutions.” Complete systems for complex challenges The specialists at transfluid integrate

CAD system and to avoid elabo- rate programming of robots. 

Matching component supply

Coming off of the starting block well and maintaining a head start will bring a runner in first, too. Therefore, the systems for loading and separation already contribute to the high perfor- mance of ‘t-motion’. Compo- nents (nuts, flanges or screws) are supplied from splitter maga- zines or rotation separators with presence and position checks. Additionally, supplies from a coil or a loading table, belt, stage, plate, chain or vibrat- ing conveyor are available to match the overall system. “With a strong connection to tube forming, separating and tube bending technologies, trans- fluid ensures high-performance automation systems are linked in a result-oriented manner so that they can offer individual solutions for many different tube products,” says Flaeper. q

Complete production cells are specifically coordinated to meet tube production requirements. This includes the modifi- cation of the layout of interconnected modules to achieve the perfect material flow. Image © transfluid.

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Mechanical Technology — June 2016