Keywords
Citation
(1998), "Paint your wagon: a new automatic handling system", Assembly Automation, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.1998.03318baf.010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Paint your wagon: a new automatic handling system
Paint your wagon: a new automatic handling system
Keywords Automation, Painting, Pick and place, Univeyor, Volvo
A new automatic handling system from Univeyor is delivering increased throughput with quality at Volvo's automatic truck chassis painting operation.
At Volvo Lastvagner AB in Tuve, Sweden, the chassis members which form the backbone of Volvo trucks are prepared prior to assembly. Painting the members automatically, and to the stringent standards applied to Volvo trucks, requires careful and precise handling, no easy task when the beams vary in length from 2-12m and can weigh up to 350kg.
With rising demand calling for a faster throughput, Volvo carried out a total review of future requirements. The result was a search for a new system to increase throughput by 40 per cent, while giving improved control of paint application and paint ovens. At the same time, Volvo wished to meet more stringent environmental requirements, while allowing for a simplified operation with easy access for maintenance.
Awarded a contract of £2 million in 1996, Univeyor have installed a totally new system which went live in 1997.
The new system handles the members in pairs with just 1m gap between each pair. Taking the members after folding and punching, the system transports via roller conveyor to a multi strand chain transfer buffer where chassis pairs are indexed forward to automatic sandblasting and phosphatising in preparation for painting.
When fully prepared, the members are collected by an automatic pick and place gantry using magnetic heads to avoid any risk of damage or contamination to the prepared surface.
The members are loaded onto a chain conveyor system with adjustable pin carriers which moves them through the polyester powder process at around 2.5m/min. Speed is adjustable to suit differing application requirements. Once coated, the system transports members through infra red ovens at up to 230°C, a convection oven and then into a cooling tunnel to reduce the beam temperature below 60°C. Among a number of innovations, Univeyor developed a new pneumatic tension unit necessary to maintain chain tension throughout the heating and cooling process where chain length can vary considerably.
The PLC control system with diagnostics was supplied by Univeyor Electronic.
With increasing demand for Volvo's trucks, Univeyor have successfully delivered a quality system with increased performance.
Contact Univeyor Conveying Systems Limited, Edwards House B, Grange Business Park, Enderby Road, Leicester LE8 3JL, UK. Tel: +44 (0)116 278 6999.