ROBOTIZED FUEL PIPE SWELLING MACHINE

The machine is designed for bundling plastic (PA) tubes.

Description of operation

The machine is designed to bundle PA tubes in single or double bundles. The diameters of the formed tubes range from 8 to 16 mm, and their lengths from 600 to 1800 mm. The tubes are placed in the feeder hopper by the operator. The tubes are stacked in the stacking module. The transfer of parts within the machine is carried out by a robot. The finished tubes are directed to the appropriate OK/NOK containers, from where they are collected by the operator.

Machine design

CABLE FEEDER

The operator places the cables on the input trays, arranging them preliminarily. The separation module separates individual tubes for collection by the robot. Before the robot picks up the tube, it is grasped by the grippers, lifted and pulled taut, and then a matrix sensor checks the position of the tube’s start. The feeder has a range of adjustments to adapt it to a specific tube reference.

ROBOT

The FANUC LR Mate 200iD robot is equipped with two parallel grippers, which are used to pick up the cables. Laser sensors are located next to the grippers to check for the presence of the cable in the gripper jaws. The robot itself is mounted on a movable plate together with the stacking module. A pressure regulator for the gripper jaws is also located at the base of the robot.

STACKING MODULE

The stacking module is mounted on a movable plate, which is moved manually using a trapezoidal screw. Thanks to a measuring module consisting of a magnetic strip and a sensor, as well as an indicator light, the operator moves the module to the position specified in the reference. The plate is fitted with a pneumatic brake to prevent the module from moving of its own accord with the robot. Additionally, a sensor with an audible alarm has been fitted to indicate a collision between the module and the feeder cylinder. Depending on the selected reference (diameter) of the cable, the appropriate set of jaws must be fitted to the module. After the stacking process, a camera checks that the process has been carried out correctly.

SAFETY LEVEL

In accordance with the customer’s guidelines and in compliance with the requirements of the PN-EN ISO 12100 standard, the machine is equipped (depending on the type of process being carried out) with a range of technical safety measures such as: emergency stop switches, guards and lockable access doors.

OPERATOR PANEL

The control elements and display allow the operator to monitor the process status, control individual machine drives, and select the product reference.

Benefits for the customer/user

• automatic stacking of cables. The operator’s task is limited to loading and unloading workpieces. Thanks to automated movements, this process is as fast as possible;
• the ability to handle multiple product variants, thanks to interchangeable tools and the adjustment of components at the workstation;
• checking the correctness of the stacking process.