MACHINERY

Automation and Packaging for Pipe Extrusion Lines

IPM ( Italian Plastic Machinery ) represents a consolidated reality worldwide in the production of machines for the extrusion and packaging of plastic pipes . IPM has invested and is still heavily investing in this area , studying , and creating customized solutions based on the specific needs of customers , paying particular attention to the optimization of the production area , and to energy saving . Thanks to its new automatic packaging systems , it is now possible to complete the extrusion lines by collecting and packing pipes in wooden frames , in cardboard boxes , iron boxes , in polyethylene bags , plastic saddles , etc . conciliating production and marketing needs in the best way without neglecting logistics and available spaces in the company . The real challenge is precisely to increase the level of automation

of the plants and their production capacity , improving product quality and reliability constantly , ensuring space-saving solutions and enhancing safety systems to protect machine operators . All this required a remarkable commitment and study by IPM , leading IPM engineers to consider all the latest generation of technological devices such as : Cartesian systems , anthropomorphic arms and vacuum lifting systems that are able to move loads quickly and ergonomically in any position . In fact , the reduction of logistic times is forcing companies to automate processes to achieve maximum productivity . An example of this is the spread of industrial robotic arms , because they accelerate all those repetitive activities that in the past were carried out by operators . Actually , this technology does not just improve efficiency in production and logistics , but it also allows heavy objects to be loaded , and high-precision operating cycles to be carried out automatically , without any human

intervention . One of the latest packaging plants that we have created and that was warmly welcomed is our new packaging system type RMC that is characterized by a series of Cartesian arms that are able to pick up cardboard sheets , prepare the packaging , select , collect , and deposit each single pipe according to its length and with opposite socketed ends , close and tape the boxes , weighting

them and , if compliant , label and palletize them . Obviously , pipes with bigger lengths are collected , selected and inserted in special plastic saddles , and the resulting pallet is put by means of vacuum lifting systems inside wooden frames , all automatically and quickly , with precision and with maximum safety . These systems are also available for big pipe diameters ( even pipe diameter 400 mm , pipe length 3 m ).