Are you faced with a costly equipment upgrade? We may have a better solution CONCEPT After careful observation of our client’s blow moulding operation we identified several specific areas for improvement. Our concept team developed working 3D models that allowed team collaboration and testing prior to the final solution. New components were designed and manufactured, quality materials were sourced and a complete overhaul of the conveyor system achieved a ‘stop position repeatability’ improvement from 30mm to 0.1mm. Pre-assembly and testing was completed off site with final installation carried out over a long weekend to reduce downtime. CONCLUSION A safe, more reliable and efficient plant. Not only a reduction in costs, but significantly more cost effective than purchasing new equipment. Call us on (+64) 9 526 4344 www.engineeringnews.co.nz 31 EFFICIENCY: A MATTER OF A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM “We needed a design solution that was going to provide not only speed and labour savings but also consistency to our operation and process,” says Darryl Mudgway, operations manager. “We approached Tony Aislabie at Concentric to come up with a design that would tick all those boxes.” Mr Aislabie and his team had a series of problems to overcome. The centres of the blow moulding and the de-flashing conveyor were different, and the motor and clutch arrangement that controlled the cooling bed conveyor produced an inconsistent stop position - up to 30mm on each cycle. Also, a worn de-flashing conveyor was causing significant downtime. The solution included disassembly and 3D O MECHANICAL DESIGN & DRAFTING CONCEPT O INSTALLATION O PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONCLUSION O MECHANICAL DESIGN & DRAFTING O MACHINE AUTOMATION O SAFETY GUARDING O PROJECT MANAGEMENT or check out our website www.concentrics.co.nz Automation EN120 modelling of the de-flashing conveyor together with the design, manufacture and sourcing of new components, guides, buckets and shafts. Modifications were also made to the existing cooling bed conveyor so that it could: deal with the differing machine centres; allow the bottles to convey smoothly without hindering adjacent cooling fans; and stop accurately, providing a consistent pick up point for the pick and place equipment. The final design utilised a servo which produced a stop position repeatability of less than 0.1mm. Bottles are initially raised using a vacuum generator and suction cups, then moved from one conveyor to the other using a servo driven linear actuator. The machine is enclosed in stainless steel guarding with polycarbonate viewing windows and Pilz safety interlocks. Pre-assembly and testing took place off site and then installed during a shutdown over a Queen’s Birthday weekend. “Tony and his team provided a design that was able to be demonstrated in a working 3D model so all teams could get involved at conception stage. The total project was delivered on time and on budget”, says Mr Mudgway. “We have been able to demonstrate not only savings in labour costs and improved product quality but also a reduction in risk from a health and safety perspective.” For further information contact: Concentric Engineered Solutions Ltd on 09 526 4344 or admin@concentrics.co.nz. Concentric Engineered Solutions was approached to design, manufacture and install a pick and place unit to improve the efficiency of an existing blow moulding machine, based on similar machines their client had viewed overseas. Pick and place unit with head in lowered position on cooling bed conveyor
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