CONTROL & AUTOMATION INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY
TF AUTOMATION
TF Automation automates process for face mask manufacturer
TF Automation were recently commissioned to design and manufacture a machine to automate the production of straps for face masks for a new customer - Air Filtration Solutions ( AFS ). AFS manufacture high performance respiratory filters , face masks , respiratory masks and domestic appliance filters and filter casings .
The company required a bespoke machine to automatically cut and weld the straps for face masks to accommodate ongoing increases in demand . The previously manual process involved cutting the elastic to length and then hand-welding to form the loop .
Our project engineers designed a machine that feeds the elastic strap material from an attached reel , drawing out at a known pre-determined length . The elastic is then cut and welded using ultrasonics to form a loop . The automation provides consistent length measurement and a reliable consistent weld which was not the case whilst hand welding . Each loop had to be stretched to test its strength & then cut & rewelded in the case of a poor weld .
These straps are the then used for AFS generic range of disposable face masks which are in high demand . The assembly process has been simplified with rejects and rework now being minimal , with the company seeing a 30 % output increase with only occasional operator intervention to change the medial roll .
Tony Hubbert , MD at TF Automation , comments , “ This is one of the first machines we have designed for AFS and we are delighted with the outcome in helping them increase productivity and ensure standardisation and consistency . There are already new projects in the pipeline for further machines focussing on process automation .”
For further information , please visit www . tfautomation . co . uk
52 PECM Issue 52