The Perndorfer Maschinenbau KG in Kallham, Austria is a developer and manufacturer of water jet cutting systems. For the automated loading of its eight-head pure water jet cutting system, the medium-sized family business uses modular linear axis portals from Rollon .
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Since 1991 the first water jet cutting system Perndorfer Maschinenbau has designed a whole range of series machines and developed a suitable high-pressure pump as well as an efficient water recycling system for suspended solids separation and filtration for water jet cutting technology.
The series program is supplemented by numerous special machines that were built shortly after the company was founded for a wide variety of purposes. The spectrum ranges from fully automatic production lines and ultrasonic inspection systems to laser marking and special milling machines.
This diversity was made possible because of company owners Franz Perndorfer and his team aimed to find a solution for every problem right from the start, relying on reliability, innovative spirit, flexibility and the highest quality. For example, the mechanical engineer was awarded the largest order in the company's history: a complete production line for a well-known Austrian manufacturer of truck trailers and semi-trailers.
Perndorfer built one for a filter manufacturer eight-headPure water jet cutting system with automatically adjustable cutting heads. The machine is used to create different cutouts from rectangular filter mats, which are delivered in stacks on Euro pallets. With the eight servo-motorTechnically adjustable pure water jet cutting heads, for example, eight precisely round filters can be cut at the same time.
The machine has four rotating changing tables that are automatically loaded with the filter mats. For this task, designer Andreas Perndorfer relied on a linear automation concept from Rollon: a linear axis portal with two that was optimally tailored to the application Tecline axes of the PAR type from the Rollon Actuator Line.
At the Z axis A frame structure with suction cups is installed on the axis portal for the transfer of the filter mats. A filter mat is sucked up from the stack using the suction cups and placed on one of the changing tables by the axis robot. Several layers of the material can also be stacked on top of each other.
After loading the cutting pallet automatically moved into the cutting area to create the cutouts. The finished cuts and offcuts are cleared away manually at the other end of the machine. The empty cutting pallet is then transported back under the machine to the loading station. The water jet cutting machine itself is shielded with a noise protection enclosure. The cutting pallets are transported into and out of the removal area via security gates.
The modular automation concept 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 Rack drive and roller guide ensure precise, fast and quiet handling of loads from 10 to 2000 kg. The hardened, helical toothed racks of the Tecline axes can also be ground on request.
The linear axis type PAR as the basis of the linear axis portal is used in six sizes offered and is limited to maximum speeds of 3,5 m/s and accelerations of 10 m/s2 designed. The maximum travel distance of an axis profile is 10.800 mm. Longer distances can be bridged by connecting several axle profiles.
Andreas Perndorfer prefers Rollon products for linear automation problems. This is not only due to the high quality, as Andreas Perndorfer explains: “The service and the technical expertise of the contact persons in terms of design and mechanical engineering are also important and very pleasant. It is simply important that you can discuss the technical problem with an expert on an equal level.”
Klaus Hermes is Marketing Manager at Rollon GmbH in Düsseldorf.