Product category:
OEM Pumps
News Release from: Rietschle Thomas | Subject: Covac central vacuum system
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 September 2002
Pumps get the pedal to the metal
To service its automated manufacturing operation, the CTS Corporation has installed an intelligent vacuum system for robotic assembly at its High Blantyre (Glasgow) facility.
To service its automated manufacturing operation, the CTS Corporation has installed an intelligent vacuum system for robotic assembly at its High Blantyre (Glasgow) facility CTS is a world leading electronic supplier to the automotive industry, including pedal position sensors, suspension sensors, exhaust gas recirculation and throttle position sensors - to keep vehicles in compliance with worldwide emissions requirements
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 23 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The pedal assembly operation uses CTS-designed production stations incorporating Branson 900 assembly machines.
Vacuum and compressed air from a Rietschle Covac central vacuum system is piped to the robotic pick and place units, each of which has 30 assembly stations with vacuum chucks.
Sensor parts are loaded under intelligent PLC control; using vacuum to lift and place the parts and a puff of air to offload them.
Pedal assemblies are supplied by CTS to customers worldwide, and manufacturing at High Blantyre is a continuous operation, based on two 12-hour shifts.
To keep running costs to a minimum, the pick and place systems incorporate energy-saving actuators, which allow the vacuum system to idle under no load conditions.
Automotive production engineer, Bryan Pearce, said that the turnkey installation designed and installed by Rietschle was a natural choice for continuous manufacture.
"Reliability is paramount at CTS", said Pearce.
"With a vacuum system based on side channel designs, the pumps are non-contact in operation.
That means an uncontaminated pumping medium, practically no wear and hence minimal maintenance".
(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 20 September 2002).
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