Since its foundation in 1976, the name Strothmann has stood for innovation in the field of transport and handling technology. Since then, the company has developed from a component supplier to a system manufacturer. More than 120 employees worldwide realize solutions in the three business areas of press automation, round rail systems and industrial automation.

The Press Automation division develops and integrates complete automation solutions for press lines, with customers including automotive groups and suppliers. However, the systems are not only used to form automotive components - they can also be used to transport components for the furniture industry. Depending on the requirements profile, the company designs each system individually for the customer.

Three relevant system areas
Three system areas are relevant for press automation: The Front of Line is equipped with a blank loader, indexing belt conveyors and a centering station (optical or mechanical); a washing and oiling machine is also integrated into this component. The second system section contains the press interlinking in the Press Line, depending on the press type, for example with Compact Transfer, Highspeed Transfer or Feeder Plus 6. Stacking takes place in the End of Line, the third system section: shuttles, robot systems and outfeed conveyors feed the finished components to the containers. "We equip the entire press line, from the front of line through the actual press line to the end of line," explains Eduard Siegle, Project Manager Development Design at Strothmann.

The following applies: wherever an axis moves, a cable drag chain is also installed - this is the only way to move the products without smearing. With every movement, energy and signal cables, pneumatic hoses and lubrication lines must be guided and protected. "One example of this is the blank loader in the front of line," says Siegle. The energy chain glides along the entire travel path on the horizontal crossbeam. A long unsupported length must be ensured on the vertical axis and the traversing axis.

Fast assembly with high cycle times
Fast cycle times are required in the automotive industry - accordingly, high demands are also placed on the energy supply systems in terms of cycle times and travel times. "They also have to be quick to assemble while maintaining a high cycle time," emphasizes Eduard Siegle. "However, a robust design is particularly important, as we are sometimes dealing with extreme environmental conditions."

This applies in particular to systems for hot forming: here, the blanks pass through a furnace before processing and are heated to around 800 to 950 degrees. In this case, the environment is extremely dirty, as the scale in the air is deposited on all machine parts - including the energy chain, which has to compensate for this contamination. Excessive wear and tear must be avoided, as high availability and a long service life must be guaranteed for the systems.

Strothmann selects the respective energy chains depending on the application and the technology used. "In the case of the hot forming described above, we usually use the robust cable carriers from the M series, specifically the ME0950 model. This type of chain guarantees longer unsupported lengths in the upper run," says Eduard Siegle. "For less demanding operating conditions, we generally use the Uniflex Advanced 1665." In addition to cable drag chains, the company also purchases Traxline cables and cable assemblies for servomotors from Tsubaki Kabelschlepp.

In addition to cable drag chains, Strothmann also purchases Traxline cables from Tsubaki Kabelschlepp. © Tsubaki

The M series from has been specially developed for use in difficult conditions. These are multivariable chains with plastic chain bands and stay variants made of plastic or aluminum. Users benefit from a large selection of vertical and horizontal stay systems and separation options for the respective cables. The link plate design is stable with an encapsulated stop system. Locking pins make the chain easy to install and it can be lengthened or shortened quickly. Replacement is possible even if the system is already fully equipped and assembled.

The M series can be opened quickly on the inside and outside for cable routing. The tensile and shear forces are transmitted via the optimized joint design - pot and cover principle. This minimizes joint wear and significantly increases the service life. Last but not least, the M series is ideal for fast, sliding applications thanks to replaceable sliding shoes made of highly abrasion-resistant special plastic.

All-rounder made of plastic
The Uniflex Advanced series are all-plastic cable carriers with fixed chain widths. The all-rounder is both quiet and lightweight as well as robust, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Reinforced wear surfaces on the outside ensure a long service life in sideways applications.

Thanks to the ball-and-socket mechanism of the shackle, it can be opened quickly, enabling fast cable assignment. When open, the bracket remains on the chain link and can also be completely released by unscrewing it. A special opening tool is available for quick and material-friendly installation, which can also be used with a Uniflex Advanced fitted with cables. This enables users to open one meter of cable carrier in just three seconds.

Because Strothmann's presses are sold worldwide, global service was also important for the company - which Tsubaki Kabelschlepp can offer. "If a replacement chain is needed globally as quickly as possible, that's not a problem," concludes Eduard Siegle. Dirk Thomas/as