DS and DV Manipulator Systems

Six basic models, each of modular design, provide the flexibility necessary to cover a wide spectrum of requirements with regard to output, floor space, and material handling arrangements. Manipulator shot blast systems can be combined with air blast stations and are suitable for integration into automatic fettling lines.

These shot blast systems are either fitted with rotating support shafts or with flexible manipulator grippers to pick up the workpieces and transport them through the shot blast machine. The gripper
tools automatically adapt to the shape of a particular workpiece and are able to accommodate one or more parts.

Automatic and Flexible Blast Cleaning of Complicated Parts

A loading device or an industrial robot places the uncleaned workpieces on support shafts or in the manipulator where they are firmly held. Fully automatic shot blast systems can be equipped with sensors for part identification and workpiece-specific control of the blast parameters (blast time, shot quantity, throwing speed, workpiece movement during blasting, number of activated blast wheels, shot removal time, etc.). The selective placement of the workpieces ensures optimal and continuous exposure to the blast stream, whilst delivering the best shot energy efficiency and minimal wear of machine parts.

Smart Loading / Unloading Techniques

Fully automated production systems call for intelligent materials handling solutions to deliver:

• Logically coordinated production sequences without the need for multiple handling and buffer storage space 
• Close monitoring of all successive operations
• Elimination of manual operations at delivery, loading, unloading, transfer points and interfaces between machines

Robots and mechanical devices are available to accomplish these tasks. However, the choice of the appropriate equipment must primarily be based on cost/benefit considerations, infrastructure and customer individual preferences.

Mechanical Loading / Unloading Devices

These devices offer practical and costsaving solutions for machines in factories with restricted floor space. Continuous throughput machines for workpieces weighing more than 250 kg each, or machines loaded on the front side and unloaded from the rear side, are typical applications for such devices. Their ability to handle different workpieces of diverse shapes is an added advantage.

Optimisation of Workflow - Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are generally used in combination with machines operating with short cycle times to process workpieces. The robots can be programmed to carry the workpieces reliably along complex pre-defined paths and to move them into the required positions. High precision and motion repeatability, and flexibility when changing from one task to the next, are important advantages of industrial robots. They can also be used for shot evacuation outside the machine. For systems comprising autonomous cells for blast cleaning, deburring, trimming, and grinding of workpieces, robots can serve to link these individual process stages, helping to reduce unproductive downtime and operating cost.