Product category:
Hydraulic Components
News Release from: Parker Hannifin | Subject: Hydraulic cylinders, filters and connectors
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 12 August 2002
Hydraulics assist shoemaking revolution
Novel computer-guided robotic trolleys have enabled Danish shoe manufacturer, Ecco, to pioneer an innovative manufacturing system for the production of better shoes - more quickly and at less cost.
Parker Hannifin hydraulic cylinders, filters and connectors are specified for computer-guided robotic trolleys that have enabled Danish shoe manufacturer, Ecco, to pioneer an innovative manufacturing system for the production of better shoes - more quickly and at less cost Shoes are usually manufactured on a 'round table' of about 30 workstations, each station performing a different function
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 18 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Operating like a carousel, the table turns only as fast as the longest function permits.
Changing shoe type or size, for example, holds up production.
Ecco has developed the idea of replacing the round table with computer-guided robotic trolleys that carry shoes from operation to operation.
The trolleys are mould carriers that, for example, take leather to a machine for moulding the leather upper and sole, move wherever directed, and are taken off line for mould changing.
The idea was so revolutionary that everything had to be designed from basics.
Ecco selected Parker to help develop the hydraulic systems.
"The trolleys increase the possible working pressure on the shoes from 3-4 to 20t, so we can now use new materials", says Christian Ibsen, Construction Manager at Ecco.
"These are energy-intensive machines, and Parker understood my energy-saving ideas.
Their technical support helped us optimise every aspect".
The hydraulic systems include Parker Series 3L cylinders and LTR rotary actuators, located close to the moulding form.
Operating under high pressure, the form opens and closes and, under control of the rotary actuator, a rotating section, shaped like a foot, allows easy access to remove the finished shoe.
New leather can then be placed on the mould for the next shoe.
The hydraulic systems also use Parker Polyflex thermoplastic hose, which is light, clean and easy to use, soft-seal hose connectors, EO-2 soft-seal hydraulic fittings and many other mainly standard products. Request a free brochure from Parker Hannifin ...
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