Process automation
We not only automate your existing production and inspection processes and integrate them into customized special machines. With the knowledge of countless automation projects, we at Grün & Köder also develop completely new processes according to your individual requirements.
Processes
Buffering, Feeding, Conveying
For automated assembling or handling technique of the individual parts. These parts are generally in bulk and must be fed into the machine in an orderly fashion. To this end the different technologies for buffering of the parts for the purpose of autonomous supply for feeding and conveying the individual parts to the respective machine stations where they are further processed.
Depending on the required performance and optimized for the part geometry the following systems are used:
- Bowl feeders
- Step feeder
- Centrifugal feeder
- Linear vibration rails
- Airtracks
- Roller conveyors
- Conveyor belt systems
- Tray handling systems
- Buffer systems, buffer storage
- If necessary antistatic units
Processes
Strip Material / Coils, Punching, Cutting
One of the core competencies of Grün & Köder is the feeding and processing of strip material and coils, be it foil for the production of bags in the packaging sector, the supply of membranes, filter materials or metal sheets to ultra-thin metal foils, which will be punched out in various forms or eg must be trimmed by laser.
Processes
Spraying, Coating, Dosing, Application
For the assembly of components they often have to be lubricated. Grün & Köder integrates the various spraying and wetting methods for applying all conceivable lubricants and optimizes them for the respective application, whether greases, oils or silicone oil, regardless of viscosity.
A wide variety of dosing processes are integrated into the machines and systems, for filling pastes, powders, dosing liquid adhesives, lubricants or applying paste-like adhesive or sealing beads.
A wide variety of dosing systems are used, the movements of the dosing heads can be axis or servo controlled, otherwise robot systems can be integrated.
Processes
Assembling, Screwing, Pressing, Riveting
The core of every assembly machine are the assembly stations for assembling the components.
Additional assembly processes for monitoring can be integrated if required:
insertion, pressing, screwing, riveting, crimping, flanging and clipping, respectively with integrated inspection.
Processes
FSpring- and o-ring assembly
/ Another core competency of Grün & Köder is the feeding and mounting of springs and
o-rings with individually designed expanding gripper for specific applications.
Springs can be supplied in bulk (e.g. with a drum feeder, spring untangler) or punched from
the strip material.
When it‘s about precision assembly, we have specific solutions - these can be integrated into manual workstations to perform complex operations reliably or in fully automatic machines with following functional, pressure, force or leakage inspections.
Processes
Joining, Glueing, Welding, Sealing
In order to connect two parts technically, there are various methods, from ultrasonic welding to sealing.
Shown here, e.g. laser welding of two components made of sheet steel, whereby the servo controlled
rotational movement has been adapted to the laser beam.
Additionally, adhesive technologies are added to the application. The adhesive technologies have
different dosing systems and infeed handling motions.
Heat sealing is ideal for sealing foil materials.
Grün & Köder integrates a wide variety of process technologies, depending on customer requirements. Various joining techniques are used - the infeed movements can be realized by pneumatic cylinders, servo axes with position monitoring via position measuring systems as well as robot systems.
Processes
Inspection, Measuring
Grün & Köder integrates a variety of testing processes in the machines and plants, optimised for the products and in accordance with the pre-defined test specifications of the customers. Each automated action will be examined in further steps. Different function tests will take place and simple testing machines will be developed and manufactured.
All test methods are principally validated in the development stage. If necessary, by means of experimental devices in the preliminary stages (proof of principle).
A selection of realized inspection processes:
- Camera inspection with vision systems
- Leakage and flow inspection
- Force measurement, tensile test
- Dimension measurement with tactile testing methods
- Assembly inspection, differential measurement
- Functional test of electrical components
- Position measuring systems
Processes
Printing, Marking, Labelling
End products must be marked. Whether it is done inline, whereby the automatic assembly machine
marks the product, either by printing or labelling it, e.g scales marking or printing of variable
data. Otherwise they will be packed and the outer packaging must be marked offline.
Grün & Köder integrates printing technologies according to customer request. Specifications for
machines and plants, optimised for products and respective materials, if necessary with upstream
surface treatments (e.g. Corona , flame).
The various labeling processes can be integrated:
- Laser printing
- Laser marking
- Pad printing
- Inkjet
- Labeling
Partly the processes can be used in a continuous mode and as well as in multicolored variation.
Processes
Packaging, Cartoning
The products, which are produced by assembly machines, must either be individually packed into the final packaging or the products must be discharged as bulk good in cartons / bags for further processing. Or these products could be discharged in an orderly fashion into trays.
To achieve an autonomous machine - especially in the high performance range different
discharging systems can be applied. These automatic carton / bag exchange mechanism or
conveyor belt systems fill different cartons / boxes via a flap, as well as buffer storage
for trays.
In the case of e.g. Blister-end-packaging, individual lay-in handling systems are developed
and manufactured for complete lines with integrated packaging machines, which place the
components targeted in the packaging.
The products can be packed inline according to the customers specifications for outer
packaging, e.g. inserted into bags and then sealing of the bags, including variable printing
and labelling.
Additional bag packing machines can be integrated downstream for individual products or
counted as bulk good.
