Packaging
The deal symbiosis: vacuum and mechanics!
Friday 02. May 2008 - Vacuum handling systems can do many things, but not everything. The same applies to mechanical grippers. But together, these two technologies complement each other and permit new handling solutions.
Vacuum meets mechanics
Just in time for the trade fair Interpack 2008 in Düsseldorf, the vacuum specialist J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten presents a system for handling the rolls of plastic film which are widely used in the packaging industry. With this new combination of a vacuum tube lifter JumboErgo-85 and a mechanical gripper, it is possible to handle the large rolls of plastic film, which weigh up to 65 kg, ergonomically, quickly and safely.
Horizontal to vertical
The rolls of film are normally up to 600 mm long, have an external diameter of up to 800 mm, weigh as much as 65 kg and are wound on a core with an internal diameter of 70 or 76 mm. They are normally delivered on their sides, but have to be placed vertically on a feed mandrel for unwinding.
This means that the rolls not only have to be picked up quickly and safely, but also that they have to be turned through 90° during the transport operation and then positioned precisely over the mandrel. For this, the mechanical gripper is first moved to the pick-up position with the aid of the vacuum tube lifter. The gripper, which is equipped with a clamping mandrel which matches the internal diameter of the roll core, is inserted into the core and clamped there. Since the gripper is adapted to the internal diameter of the roll, and not to the external diameter, a single gripper can be used to place a fresh roll on the feed mandrel and to remove it again if it becomes necessary to change the roll.
The external diameter of the roll is immaterial for the ergonomic handling with the aid of the vacuum tube lifter.The clamping mandrel can be replaced quickly and easily, without the need for tools, thanks to a quick-change adapter.Once the roll has been lifted, it is turned manually through 90° with the aid of a turning mechanism, locked in this position, moved to its destination and finally placed on the feed mandrel of the machine.
One-man show with film rolls weighing 65 kg
Depending on the system performance, the rolls of film have to be changed several times per shift or day. This does not justify the costs of a fully automatic system, but can hardly be done manually since the rolls are so large and heavy.
The vacuum tube lifter with mechanical gripper is thus a low-cost and flexible handling system which permits handling of the rolls by a single person. The vacuum tube lifter JumboErgo-85 can lift loads weighing up to 85 kg with a gripper weighing 20 kg and this is quite sufficient for handling the film rolls, which weigh up to 65 kg.
It goes without saying that Schmalz can also offer solutions for even heavier rolls with larger core diameters. The specialist for vacuum handling systems J. Schmalz GmbH designs and constructs these specifically to match the customer’s requirements. In contrast to possible alternative solutions such as small crane systems with chain hoists or pneumatic balancers, the vacuum tube lifter Jumbo permits fast movement of the film rolls without the risk of injuries to the operating personnel. This avoids non-productive idle times of the packaging system and industrial accidents.
The combination of a vacuum tube lifter and a mechanical gripper is thus the ideals solution for the handling of film rolls, particularly since the clamping mandrels can be changed quickly. This improves the flexibility in cases where, for example, one roll handling unit serves several packaging systems.