Perndorfer built an eight-head pure water jet cutting system with automatically adjustable cutting heads for a filter manufacturer. The machine is used to produce different cut-outs from rectangular filter mats, which are delivered in stacks on Euro pallets. With the eight servomotor-adjustable pure water jet cutting heads, for example, eight exactly round filters can be cut simultaneously. The machine has four rotating shuttle tables that are automatically loaded with the filter mats.

For this task, design engineer Andreas Perndorfer opted for a linear automation concept from Rollon: a linear axis gantry with two Tecline axes of the PAR type from the Actuator Line, perfectly tailored to the application. A frame construction with suction pads is mounted on the Z-axis of the axis gantry for transferring the filter mats. The suction pads are used to suck one filter mat at a time from the stack and place it on one of the shuttle tables by the axis robot. Several layers of material can also be stacked on top of each other.

After loading, the cutting pallet is automatically moved into the cutting area to produce the cut-outs. The finished cuts and offcuts at the other end of the machine are removed manually. The empty cutting pallet is then fed back under the machine to the loading station. The waterjet cutting machine itself is shielded by a noise protection enclosure. The cutting pallets are transported to and from the unloading area via safety locks.

The modular automation concept of the Actuator Line convinced designer Andreas Perndorfer not only because of its high precision and dynamics. The high load capacity and robust design of the linear axes and all accessories also spoke in favor of automated machine loading with a Cartesian two-axis robot system from Rollon.

Pick-and-place modules made from Tecline axes with rack and pinion drive and roller guides ensure precise, fast and quiet handling of loads from ten to 2,000 kilograms. The hardened, helical toothed racks can also be ground on request. The linear axis type PAR, which forms the basis of the linear axis gantry, is available in six sizes and is designed for maximum speeds of 3.5 meters per second and accelerations of ten meters per square second. The maximum travel distance of an axis profile is 10,800 millimeters. Longer distances can be bridged by connecting several axle profiles.

Klaus-J. Hermes/as