The design of electronic subassemblies for the automotive industry is subject to frequent change and often several variants are required to suit individual vehicle models. Without flexible-handling concepts, assembly systems for these varying requirements are severely restricted. The Festo HGPPI servo-pneumatic proportional gripper with its independent gripper-jaw movements provides the flexibility required to meet this challenge.
A real world example
Custom-engineering company, Axelius Automation, developed a flexible assembly system for electronic components for different variants of vehicle airconditioning system controllers for Behr Hella Thermocontrol. In this system, plugs are inserted into multicircuit electronic PCBs, which are then separated into individual circuit boards, tested on an ICT tester and packaged for final airconditioner controller assembly.
The servo-pneumatic proportional gripper positions the plugs over the circuit board. During the plugging operation it holds the plugs, which are inserted into the panels with a force of 100 N per pin.
Axelius project manager for system engineering Bernd Büsser says: “The proportional gripper can easily be adapted to different plug sizes without costly conversion. One signal from the system PLC via Profibus is all that is needed to adjust for different plug dimensions.”
Behr Hella Thermocontrol head of planning, Peter Stillers, says that he is delighted with the improved productivity generated by the new system and adds, “Previously, we could only insert a specific plug-type on a specific panel type on a single assembly line. Now we can produce a large number of variants with greater speed and flexibility.”
Functional description
The servo-pneumatic gripper combines mechatronics and microsystems technology in a single assembly, which integrates gripper technology, electronics, a displacement encoder and valves. The mechatronic intelligence enables the small and lightweight gripper to move its jaws independently of one another. This means that it can grip a wide range of shapes, weights and work piece surfaces.
Piezo technology saves space and energy since energy is only supplied during movement. Piezoceramic bending actuators with proportional switching characteristics provide fast cycle times. In the case of servo-pneumatic proportional grippers, information about the displacement signal and the force is always available to ensure controlled sequences. The gripper fingers with free and independent positioning offer maximum freedom of movement with accuracy.
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