Assembly machine with gluing function of ST type

Machine for fitting valves onto pipes. Assembly using adhesive. Presence of adhesive monitored by a luminescence sensor. Correct application confirmed by a vision sensor.

Purpose of the device

The workstation is used to assemble valves onto pipes by pressing them into place following the dispensing of the appropriate amount of adhesive. Bonding is carried out using a built-in dispensing system.

Description of operation

Preparation of components

• placement of the valve in the mounting socket by the operator;
• preliminary clamping of the valve triggered from the control panel;
• preliminary fitting of the pipe onto the valve stub by the operator;
• preliminary clamping of the hose using clamping jaws triggered from the control panel;

Main assembly

• the operator holds down the two-hand control buttons;
• main clamping of the hose-holding jaws;
• advance of the adhesive dispensing valve, dispensing of adhesive, followed by retraction to the starting position;
• advance of the adhesive presence sensor, confirmation of correct dispensing and retraction to the starting position;
• fitting of the valve onto the hose;
• retraction of the hose-holding clamps;
• retraction, followed by lifting of the socket;
• removal of the finished part by the operator;

Device construction

ASSEMBLY MODULE

The pre-clamping jaws allow the components to be positioned correctly before the actual assembly begins. The main assembly jaws allow the valve to be crimped onto the hose with the appropriate force.

DISPENSING MODULE

Adhesive dispensing is carried out using a pneumatically controlled diaphragm valve from TECHCON and a pressurised adhesive reservoir. Access to the pressurised reservoir is secured by a service door fitted with a safety limit switch. Opening the door causes the air to be immediately released from the reservoir.

CONTROL ELEMENTS

The machine is equipped with a handy control box for controlling the clamping jaws that hold the components in place, and a 4-inch operator panel. The HMI panel allows for monitoring of the assembly process, machine diagnostics and control of individual machine movements in manual mode.

TWO-HAND CONTROL PANEL

In addition to fixed guards, one of the safety features for operators is the two-hand control panel. Machine movements requiring greater force are only possible when the two-hand control buttons are pressed.

ADHESIVE PRESENCE CHECK

Adhesive dispensing is verified using a Sick LUTM series luminescence sensor. The adhesive contains a small amount of UV-reactive agent, causing it to emit light when exposed to ultraviolet light.

FILLING CONTROL

A Keyence IV series vision sensor is used to confirm that the valve has been correctly fitted to the hose. This safeguards the production process against the uncontrolled production of non-conforming parts.

CONSTRUCTION

The aluminium profile structure is designed in accordance with ergonomic principles, whilst also taking into account the forces acting on the component during the assembly process. The structure can be easily expanded with additional components.

Benefits for the customer / user

• relief for the operator from the heavy work involved in crimping the valve onto the hose. Operations requiring greater force are performed by pneumatic cylinders;
• reduction in the number of defective finished parts thanks to process repeatability. The use of the machine significantly reduces the number of potential defects caused by operator error;
• cleanliness of the production workstation. The gluing operation takes place in an area separated from the rest of the workstation by fixed screens;
• a strictly defined and adjustable adhesive dose. All finished parts are produced using exactly the same amount of adhesive;
• checking the completeness of the final component. The absence of any component prevents the assembly process from being completed;