Quality Creates Trust
Factors such as readiness for delivery, being on schedule and reachable, as well as fixed contacts guarantee success for producers of different branches. If clients cannot rely on them, they quickly change their suppliers. Producers also attach value to these criteria concerning their suppliers – for example for IEF-Werner. The automation specialist delivers, amongst others, palletiser systems in order to handle components and modules for assemblies in the production. The machines work quickly and safely, are robust, reliable, quiet and energy efficient.
Furtwangen, 09.07.2019 – Producers of for example mechatronic systems, expect the same reliabil-ity and quality of their suppliers that they offer their clients. IEF-Werner GmbH from Furtwangen in the Black Forest fulfils these demands. Many companies count on the cooperation for years now. This is because the automation specialist offers inter alia open and modular palletiser systems, that can individually be adapted to any task. The users are able to drive those with the integrated IEF-product handling if needed or connect it to an existing robot or handling system. Furthermore, the compact plants can be loaded by default with pallet wagons or transport belts – the band loading version even sideways. The automation specialist designs its plants also to be used by transport wagons, because the usage of floor rollers increases constantly in the companies. Thereby, the firms are able to supply the machines with and unload heavy pallet staples automatized, so that no employee has to work physically.
The operator can provide the components, that are to be transported from a production line to an attached assembly line, in a sorted manner with the palletisers of IEF-Werner and supply them in a given position to be processed further. After the assembly, the system picks up the finished part from the processing line. Depending on the usage, the machines can be equipped with simple or multiple grippers.
Karl Klinck is a sales representative for IEF-Werner and knows his customers well. As an example, he mentions a company that uses several palletisers: “A plant picks up the modules and components from the assembly belt and puts them into provided packages. Thereby it runs in three-shift operation up to 24 hours a day.” It is maintained regularly. “There were no larger damages in the past. Only defined wear parts, such as pulleys had to be changed”, he tells us.
During a different usage, the palletisers load modules and their components from a wagon to an assembly belt and pick them up after being processed. “Usually, that involves large and heavy com-ponent carriers. They are so heavy, that the staff would have significant difficulties lifting a loaded pallet”, Klinck says. “This is why we designed the plant so that an employee can push the loaded wagon directly onto the belt. There, the palletiser picks up the entire staple and supplies it to the assembly belt. The employee does not have to perform physical activities.”
Robust and precise, quiet and energy efficient
Clients are often impressed by the robust construction and the smooth operation of the IEF-machines. “Of course, we profit here from the feedback of the users”, the sales representative Klinck resumes. “We adapt our plants to the often hard production conditions. This way we optimize our machines continuously.” They are not only robust but when handling parts, they work also very precisely.
Concerning energy efficiency, they can present several points. IEF-Werner equipped some of the series completely without energy intensive and therefore expensive pressure air. Currently not-needed components are automatically shut off. This saves further energy. Moreover, the power supply is interrupted during machine stand-still, end-of-shift and breaks. Additionally, the plants are very quiet during running operations, which is reflected in a more pleasant work environment. “We were able to reduce the volume level by up to 20 decibels”, Klinck says. For the technical consultant, it is clear that with the numerous improvements, the demand for IEF-Werner palletisers of companies from different branches increases continuously.
Permanent Self-Analysis
And where is the development going? IEF-Werner built a prototype within the scope of a research project. In this prototype, an intelligent toothed belt axis permanently monitors its condition and its performance and analyses the wear. Thereby machine failures can be predicted before they occur. The axis also communicates with other components and is able to keep the production running in case of risk of failure. “We want to transfer this principle to our palletisers in the future”, Klinck explains. This further increases the reliability of the plant in running operations. The responsible employee is always informed about the recent condition of the plant and the service technicians of IEF-Werner are able to react early on if the components are threatened by damages. “The user receives statements concerning the lifetime of the components and the next maintenance date is suggested”, Klinck promises. The user can plan service actions in advance and thereby increase the availa-bility of the plant.
It is important for IEF-Werner that the machines fulfil exactly those tasks which they are used for in the firms. The automation specialist has long-standing clients – that are usually convinced of the quality and reliability. And what does Karl Klinck like especially when working with them? “The straightforward cooperation”, he says. “The cooperation is normally on an equal footing. And both sides profit thereof.”