PRODUCT REVIEWS
Whether plastic , metal , glass or paper , the industrial use of plasma technology modifies the properties of the surface in favour of the process requirements .
A strong bond
Plasmatreat GmbH presented various systems and solutions at Bondexpo 2021 in Stuttgart , Germany ( 5-8 October 2021 ). The technology specialist from Steinhagen showcased its systems for surface treatment with atmospheric pressure plasma at its booth in Hall 5 .
Activation , cleaning and coating of surfaces , before the subsequent bonding process , was the company ’ s main focus at the international trade fair for adhesive bonding technology . Openair-Plasma technology from Plasmatreat can be used to optimise bonding processes and avoid environmentally harmful primers or adhesion promoter layers .
“ The highlight at our booth was a Plasma Treatment Unit ( PTU ) with special component transport . This is because the nozzles are not moved , as is so often the case , but the component is transported via an XPlanar Mover from Beckhoff Automation to the right nozzle at the right time for treatment with Openair-Plasma . Various components can be treated with Openair-Plasma in this PTU ,” Plasmatreat told ISMR .
Automation in focus
“ In the first step , the component to be treated is moved under a nozzle with the XPlanar and cleaned or activated with it , depending upon the surface material . In the subsequent step , a functional coating can be applied through another nozzle using the PlasmaPlus process , for example to create a nanolayer with anti-corrosion protection ,” it added .
At the trade show , the company equipped its PTU with three XPlanar Movers to treat different components in the system .
Plasmatreat is a specialist in the development and manufacture of atmospheric plasma systems for the pre-treatment of substrate surfaces . Openair-Plasma ® technology is used in automated and continuous manufacturing processes in most industrial sectors . The Plasmatreat Group has technology centres in Germany , USA , Canada , China , and Japan . It is represented in more than 30 countries by subsidiaries and sales partners . n
. plasmatreat . com
An eye on metalforming
After a year off due to the pandemic , the FABTECH trade show returned to Chicago ’ s McCormick Place in September 2021 . At the exhibition , Schuler presented its latest servo and hydraulic press technology , as well as its “ Digital Suite ” solutions for networking forming technology . They include , among others , Visual Die Protection which prevents unwanted production shutdowns and Schuler Connect , which offers rapid assistance in resolving unforeseen problems .
Schuler ’ s “ Cloud Solutions ” can be used to retrieve data on press forces and stroke rates . Cooling and lubrication circuits , temperatures and system pressures as well as power consumption are also recorded and visualised .
Schuler recently established a new U . S . workshop with a 50-ton crane that significantly expands its service footprint and especially , it told ISMR , its ability to execute large modernisation projects .
Schuler offers customised technology in all areas of forming – from the networked press to press shop planning . Its portfolio also includes automation and software solutions , dies , process expertise and service for the entire metalworking industry . Presses from the Schuler Group mint coins for more than 180 countries .
Founded in 1839 with headquarters in Göppingen , Germany , Schuler AG has about 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe , China and America , as well as service companies in more than 40 countries . The company is part of the ANDRITZ international technology group . n
EMO Milano 2021 hosted a major showcase of advanced manufacturing technologies from FANUC , including several products making their European debut .
“ Within the ONE FANUC area of our stand , visitors saw CNC machine tools , various robots and software solutions working in unison , showing that integration has never been easier . In addition , these cell-based solutions connected with Industrial IoT applications running on our FIELD system platform ,” said FANUC .
Part of the ONE FANUC area focused on ‘ green mobility ’ solutions for EV battery handling featuring multiple robot applications and FANUC vision technology such as the 3DV-1600 sensor . The stand also highlighted medical technology , optics , metal cutting and the robotisation of manufacturing processes . The visual centrepiece of the stand was the FANUC factory automation ( FA ) tunnel-like gallery showcasing a wide spectrum of FANUC FA solutions , including digital twin technology .
Alongside its latest robots ( ROBODRILL , ROBOCUT and ROBOSHOT ) and CRX cobot , FANUC presented an ROI ( Return on Investment ) calculator for robotisation . This web app features a dashboard that sets out the potential savings available in an easy-tounderstand manner . The FAR ( FANUC Assisted Reality ) software tool for remote service was also on display . n
The “ Digital Suite ” solutions include , among others , “ Schuler Connect ” for rapid assistance in resolving unforeseen problems . © Schuler .
102 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR October 2021