Industries: Automotive

 

 

Automotive parts present different challenges as many parts are heavy metal or bulky plastic and, in addition to being manipulated, often need finishing work, packing and/or palletizing. The >SAS< modular system, in particular, offers the widest array of interchangeable components as well as magnetic, vacuum and finger grippers for these demanding applications. Using a flexible system provides the ability to perform multiple tasks with just one gripper. In addition to size and weight challenges, special care must be given when handling Class A surface parts to avoid any surface marking. For such parts, >SAS< provides non-marking acetal gripper fingers, mounted on the EOAT (instead of vacuum cups).

Applications

  

Automotive Instrument Trim Panel

This particular tool was designed to remove 4 parts from an injection mold without marring any surface or deforming the parts. The parts had to be perfect cosmetically and reduce overall cycle time.

Results: "Not only did SAS Automation design and build end-of-arm tooling that accomplished the objectives, but it increased my productivity by 30%. The process was easy and efficient. I contacted my local SAS representative who came to our facility, took digital photos, and obtained mold drawings and samples. The engineers at SAS produced the design and sent drawings for my approval. After my approval, the finished product arrived over a week ahead of schedule. The product design and execution was excellent and their field installation service was phenomenal! It has now been running flawlessly for over 6 months! I will definitely be using SAS for future projects!"

Special EOAT for Die-locked Part Conditions

One of the toughest conditions in plastic molding is the removal of die-locked parts. >SAS< Automation has significant experience in tool design to overcome this problem without damaging the molded part. The picture to the right shows such a tool designed to remove an automotive window trim part. This tool secures all runners and the part is secured with rubber-coated gripper jaws. The tool initially strokes each end of the molded part toward each other. The tool then pulls the part toward the cavity side of the mold, then the robot moves back to fully release the part. Various techniques may be used to overcome die-locked conditions based on each unique application.

Programmable Robotic End-of-Arm Tooling

>SAS< Automation patent #7,611,180 for its innovative -- Programmable EOAT. This tool can be easily programmed to automatically relocate four separate component holders within the cycle of the robot, all within the same end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). If four separate parts are picked up at one time, the programmable EOAT will allow for sequencing and re-positioning the parts before releasing them.

Results:A robot can pick and place or pull various-sized items from an injection mold with just one EOAT. This type of tool is often a great alternative to more expensive custom tools.

Automotive Mirrors

>SAS< Automation developed a time-saving and less-complicated system to connect cables by increasing the connections to 18 instead of the usual 12 (for air and vacuum).

Results: Several automotive companies including BMW and Magma Mirrors noted the tremendous labor savings along with the ability to handle more complex work and that their mirrors were not marred in any way.

Punch Press Degater

Punch presses are used when the cutting vestige requirements are critical and range between 0.003 and 0.010 in. >SAS< Punch Presses can be operated manually or automatically and can be integrated to the robot or press.
 
Results: Punch press degaters uniquely provide a preferred "flush" cut making them ideal for bumper finishing.

Rotary Degating Station

>SAS< Rotary Degating Station works well for the degating of small, delicate automotive trim parts or large bulky bumpers.

Results: Reduces number of cutters and blades required. Ideal for degating delicate plastic automotive parts.