Seal-bending machine for half the cost
January 2001
Motion Control & Drives
The recent custom design and manufacture by SAM (Systems Automation and Management) of a seal bending machine for pallet strapping applications, has enabled the customer to save up to 50% of the cost of an imported unit. "We have been able to custom-build a seal bender using state-of-the-art servo technology, resulting in a machine that is more flexible with increased production capacity than the imported units," states Claudio Agostinetto of SAM.
The imported machines are totally mechanical and hydraulic, making changes between jobs slow and laborious. In contrast, the SAM machine can be fitted with a variety of tooling to produce the required seals, whilst set-up and optimisation is made easy through the use of servo and PLC technology. Five Siemens variable speed drives were utilised with a highly accurate motion control system. In addition, a recipe management feature has been included to facilitate quick and trouble-free job changes.
According to Agostinetto, this new design is easier to adjust; it reduces power consumption and facilitates a much faster throughput with a maximum speed of 120 cycles per minute. Material ranging from 10-50 mm widths can be accommodated, enabling a single machine to produce a wide range of seals for pallet strapping.
SAM has diverse experience in automation and process control technology and has recently expanded this capability with a division dedicated to the custom-design and manufacture of specialised machinery requiring precise motion control know-how. This division, known as SAMech, is based in Durban.
SAM
(011) 803 0570
[email protected]
Further reading:
Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions
Festo South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.
Read more...
Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Motion Control & Drives
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.
Read more...
Filtration as a reliability driver in motion control systems
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
This article highlights the importance of filtration in motion control systems, how contamination affects performance, and what fleet managers, operators and maintenance teams in southern Africa can do to reduce downtime, avoidable wear and costly repairs, aided by Baldwin Filters.
Read more...
Supporting construction of next-gen floating offshore wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
While windy locations naturally make ideal spots for offshore wind farms, they bring challenges when it comes to assembling wind turbines, particularly in ports. Mammoet was approached by Euroports to support with the marshalling and assembly of the components that make up the three turbines at Port-la-Nouvelle in France.
Read more...
Rollers excel where profits balance on a knife edge
igus
Motion Control & Drives
Polymer component specialist manufacturer, igus has developed a range of lubrication-free long-life knife edge rollers designed to improve the transfer of products between conveyor belts in high-speed production environments.
Read more...
Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations
Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.
Read more...
Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
WEG Africa
Motion Control & Drives
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.
Read more...
Rising demand for advanced coolant technology
Motion Control & Drives
As modern engines become smaller, more powerful and increasingly complex, coolant technology has undergone a fundamental transformation.
Read more...
Addressing cost, supply and disease pressures in Africa’s feed industry
Motion Control & Drives
Feed producers across Africa are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile environment. The pressures are forcing producers to rethink how they operate, balancing cost control, production efficiency and the need for greater flexibility in an unpredictable market.
Read more...
Rapid headframe replacement for Canada’s biggest potash mine
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet has supported Ledcor with the construction of BHP’s new Jansen potash mine.
Read more...
printer friendly version